Blake Ferguson is the latest NRL player to be embroiled in an off-field situation after getting drunk the day before Origin camp. Ferguson has no one to blame but himself for getting in this situation. Of course being an Australian he has the right to a presumption of innocence.
However, his actions have been that of a player who has spat in the faces of his club, teammates and the game. Why, just weeks after narrowly avoiding being sacked, would he be out on the drink? He doesn't deserve to be in the privileged position he is.
The problem with the NRL is that we forgive and forget too easily.Carney has had off-field drama after off-field drama but continued to find contracts at other clubs.
How was he rewarded after committing numerous DUI's, driving while suspended, drinking whilst injured and breaking a player enforced alcohol ban? With the Dally M medal and a NSW jersey. OK, so he spent 1 year in the wilderness doing a normal job. A bit of hard work never hurt anyone.
But he was welcomed back into the game too readily. 2 and a half months ago Dugan insulted his club and the fans with his infamous roof top drinking session. He was rewarded with a new contract and NSW jersey.
The message from the NRL, using these precedents, is a simple one. If you stuff up but are a talented player you will always find another club. There is no harsh punishment in there. It is time the NRL got tougher in their punishments.
It is still amazing the Robert Lui is playing in the NRL after beating up his girlfriend. In my mind no woman-beater deserves to have a contract in the NRL.
NRL CEO David Smith has said he won't tolerate these off-field issues and with the new integrity unit established hopefully things will improve. But the only way things will improve is if the penalties are harsher.
These off-field situations seem to all have one common denominator. Alcohol. Now I'm not saying these players can't have a drink, unless of course they are part of a booze ban. But, as adults, they should know when enough is enough. Especially when they have had a history of off-field dramas involving the drink.
The players can't plead ignorance to what alcohol does to them as they are repeatedly told these things during club organised talks and seminars. They can go out and have a drink with friends but they don't need to get hammered to have a good time.
This issue is far more important than Gallen squaring up against Myles. This is about getting NRL players to realise the privileged position they are in and that continued off-field indiscretions will not be tolerated.
Allow me to draw and quick comparison. On Monday morning Dugan (who was reportedly drunk but didn't break the law) and Ferguson were recovering from hangovers and Ferguson was eventually charged by NSW Police.
Also out and about on Monday morning was Nathan Merritt. The NRL and Rabbitohs veteran was at a school delivering a talk on anti-bullying. Now answer me, which of those three players is more deserving of a Blue jersey?
The booze brothers or a level headed consistent player who doesn't think he is bigger than the game? The NRL must get tough on these issues to prevent the game's reputation from being further tarnished.
The game is resilient and will get through this but if Ferguson is found guilty his contract is to be torn up and he is to be prevented from ever pulling on an NRL jersey again. No player is bigger than the game and the players have to know where they stand here.
Playing for any of the 16 clubs in the NRL is a privilege, not a right.
Replies
Super i understand where your coming from, and agree with many points, but these guys arnt police officers, they are footy players, and also young guys, they make mistakes, thats life.
Many people from all walks of life make the same mistakes, unless they are out raping, killing, or bashing women and kids, etc, its not worth them losing careers over.
Sure for repeat offenders give them the season off, but you cant ban them forever.
What fergo did was in my opinion at the very bottom of the assult spectrum, im not saying its not right, but tell me what is at the lower end of the spectrum than groping some chick in a night club?
Its not how id act but i cant condem him for life.
What robert lui did was higher on the scale for sure, violence to women, raping, assult with penitration, killing, mate they are at the upper end of the scale and i agree they deserve a life ban, but people need to settle down and get off their holier than thou horses.
These guys dont wanna be role models, they are just footy players, if parents teach their kids footy players are role models they need to get real.
If he is found guilty, give him the rest of the year off and when he comes back get him to do some charity work etc, to destroy his career is going way over the top imo.
But this isn't his first offence. As I said above, they can go out and have a good time but, whether they like it or not they have a public profile. They sign on to that when they sign their contracts. Simple as that. How is Ferguson or Dugan going to learn when they are constantly given new contracts every time they stuff up?
Getting drunk and groping a woman isn't exactly a mistake. A mistake is an action that is misguided or wrong. What was he expecting when he groped her? A big kiss, phone number etc. If the players want to have a good time then by all means they can have one but it is their responsibility to ensure they aren't caught in a compromising situation.
If the parents have done their jobs properly then they shouldn't have an issue with their kids. But, kids do look up to sports stars because that is the culture of Australia. Sports stars are held in high regard in society. Before they do something dumb they should use whatever bit of brain they have to assess the repercussions of what might happen if they do it.
I go clubbing and enjoy a drink as much as the next bloke but I know my limit and I will not make any form of sexual advances on a girl whilst I'm drunk as that is how you end up in these positions.
I know people do make mistakes but in all seriousness if you do it once it's a mistake, if you do it twice then it isn't a mistake you're ignorant and pig-headed. Honestly, let's say you're at work. You violate the terms of your contract but are spared the sack and given a chance to prove you deserve to keep your job. Would you do something stupid and violate your contract again?
No one but the player is destroying his career. He made those dumb decisions not the administrators. If he doesn't go out and get smashed he doesn't end up getting in this situations. It was his choice to drink and all responsibility falls on his shoulder if he is sacked.
You make a lot of good points super and i agree on most of them.
Im not saying your wrong, its all a matter of opinion, i agree some of these guys are complete idiots and do plenty of things that you or i have never, or would never do including what fergo is rumoured to have done, but i dont think its worth them losing a career over.
Where does a club or the NRL draw the line? i dont know, its a tough question.
Hi Snake, I may be in error & I am ready to be corrected on this one, but I think I remember Jack Gibson had a grog ban & an embargo on certain places that players had to avoid when he was at Parra. I am not sure how extensive the ban was but I do recall that Gibbo would stand a player down from FG if they were caught not only drinking but at a certain venue after a specified time.
I believe his reasoning was that if they were not responsible or disciplined enough to abide by his decree then they were not up to FG standard. Something like that anyway.
You are correct Mike, "Gibbo" banned players from The Rose & Crown pub and to be out of any joint that sold grog by 8PM. Just ask Sterlo
Josh Dugan for example did break team rules by drinking whilst injured but he didn't break any laws. Why should he be wiped out of the game purely because he can't get along with his current employer? Yes as a Raider's fan it's absolutely awful to watch a great player walk out and shine for another club but you can't outlaw being an idiot.
When players break the law or get charged with breaking the law that's another story and an easier one to manage IMO.
Rugby League is an aggressive game. Probably THE most aggressive team sport on the planet. It will always attract aggressive individuals and by nature these guys are more likely to be aggressive in social situations too. Certainly not all of them and I would suggest only a very minor percentage of them but I can't see that ever changing.
There really is only one solution IMO. Players sign contracts with the NRL not to individual clubs. The NRL then sets the rules that are the same for all clubs. If you break the NRL's rules such as drinking bans, curfews etc then you are at the mercy of the NRL even if you didn't break the law. I think this is unlikely however and probably too difficult to police from the NRL's perspective. Until then we have to deal with it on a case by case basis.
Hi Muttman, your last paragraph makes a lot of sense. If a club terminates a players contract for misconduct then no other NRL club should be allowed to capitalise on that action. There should definitely be specified minimum ban times for player misconduct binding on all NRL clubs.
I agree. Ben T'eo's inclusion for QLD is also a bad look.
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