Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="lynx000, post: 3004113, member: 2065"] If anyone knows me, they would know I am for the presumption of innocence trumping all, but, and isn't there always a but (particularly in law) given the following I believe that the NRL had to act in the manner they have:- 1. They have marketed the game extensively in recent years towards the family market and women and as an organisation have promoted itself as a very strong supporter of an anti-violence message, particularly towards women; 2. There seems to have been an ever increasing number of incidences of player misbehaviour over the last ten years which have reached a crescendo with this off-season; 3. Whatever steps the NRL has taken to educate players about violence and respect for women has not appeared to have been taken seriously by a fair percentage of the playing groups; 4. The media are much more willing to print damaging stories and indeed sensationalize them, if not actively going out seeking damaging evidence to create the story (Bulldog's Mad Monday); 5. What is alleged to have occurred in some of the more recent incidents seem to have gone to another level in terms of the seriousness of the allegations. The impact of the above is that the positive messages that the NRL has been attempting to create to sell the game (particularly to mothers who might prefer their children to be playing soccer or AFL) has been largely undermined, and I honestly believe that the reputation of the game has taken a hit. In light of that, I think that the NRL had to act to bring a more stringent consequence for a player charged with an offence, particularly a serious offence. I do not accept JDB's lawyer's posturing that a stand down by the NRL will have adversely impact his ability to receive a fair trial. In fact, I believe it has probably enhanced it. If he had not of been stood down, every time he took the field there would have been media focus upon him, there would be insults and booing from the crowd that probably would be above what Lodge received last year. JDB playing each week would just continually perpetuate the issue and keep it at the forefront of the media's attention, and therefore the forefront of the potential jury pool. Sitting him down offers the opportunity for it to disappear somewhat as an issue to be replaced by the next sex tape or next player outrage. That is my 2 cents worth (probably 50 cents worth really, given I have gone on for so long). [/QUOTE]

Verification

Active Now

No members online now.

Total: 7 (members: 0, guests: 7)

Reply to thread

Log in

Active Now