When oh when will NRL players ever learn?
Nathan Cleary, Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell can consider themselves extremely fortunate not to have received much harsher penalties than those handed down by the NRL during the week.
The penalties were far too light. They totally misinterpreted the seriousness of their actions. They also showed little or no understanding of how fans and people working in the game felt about this behaviour.
Stupidity, selfishness and irresponsibility. These actions represented a breach of trust. It was disrespectful to their teammates, their clubs, the fans and rugby league. They put themselves in harm’s way. In doing so, they put everyone else in harm’s way.
These are extraordinary times and everyone is doing it tough. If isolation is not hard enough, many people’s jobs, businesses and livelihoods have been put on hold as a result of the economic downturn. Whole families are suffering.
The people who work in this game, or who rely on this game as a trading partner for their businesses, are sweating on the resumption of play so they can return to their jobs. If the players are stupid enough to expose themselves to the virus then many people will suffer.
Players need to understand that their health, discipline and behaviour will be held to a higher standard. If you want to complain about the reduced pay packet you have been offered for season 2020, think about how much you are going to get if rugby league is not played again this season.
Grow up, pull your bloody heads in and get with the programme.
There is no doubt there’s a distinct difference between the Cleary incident and that of AddoCarr and Mitchell. However, there is no difference in stupidity.
When Cleary first apologised for his behaviour and explained that this was an unplanned event, I could somewhat understand
‘‘Some of the dumb stuff we witness these days just defies belief.’’
Phil Gould
what had occurred. It seemed innocent enough. But there is no doubt he should have been more vigilant and not allowed the girls to enter his home on Anzac Day, even for only a short time. It was a dumb decision.
When the TikTok dance videos become public the next day, it totally destroyed any credibility his original explanation may have had. It doesn’t matter what he says now, he will struggle to find anyone believing his story.
I called Nathan after the TikTok videos emerged. We had a lengthy discussion. My first concern was to check he was OK. He’s been around long enough to understand right from wrong. But
that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with the media fallout and public backlash.
He was, understandably, shattered. Embarrassed. He wasn’t making excuses. He accepted responsibility.
We spoke about his initial media interview and apology. He knew his credibility was immediately damaged with the release of additional videos. He knows he deserves whatever punishment and criticism is coming his way.
What’s important is his actions from this point on. I have no doubt he will make it up to his teammates, his club and the game.
It was a bad day. It doesn’t mean it’s a bad life.
The Addo-Carr and Mitchell breaches were completely different. By their own admission, this was a planned exercise. Not only were they putting themselves above the rest of the community, but they were disobeying instructions from the NRL and their clubs. With the activities they had planned, they were also putting themselves in danger of serious physical injury, let alone increasing the chances of being exposed to the virus we are all trying to beat.
Their antics showed a total disregard for the laws that are in place and the responsibilities they have to this game.
The most sickening part of this sorry saga, was that anyone who publicly criticised the pair was attacked with accusations of racial discrimination because these players also happen be indigenous. In some sections of social media, this campaign was orchestrated and co-ordinated. Really nasty stuff.
In my opinion, these three players should have been stood down for the season. I regard these breaches of trust as very serious.
Now, to my final point. When are footballers going to learn mobile phones, photos and videos are not their friend? If last year’s sex-tape scandals were not enough warning to our players about the dangers of photographing and filming their recreational activities for the world to see, then what will it take to get the message through their thick skulls?
I’ve been in this game for 45 years. I’ve seen it all. I’ve seen the best of them and the worst of them. But, honestly, some of the dumb stuff we witness these days just defies belief.
From the time they come into rugby league pathway systems, players are lectured continuously about the dangers of mobile phones and social media. The damage that can be done to their reputations, their families, their clubs and the game itself is enormous.
Yet, as soon as they drift away from the controlled environment of the training field and the dressing room, off goes their heads and on goes a pumpkin.
The NRL has reached a fork in the road. I’m sure there are times when this has been said before, but at no time in history has it been more accurate. This game is precariously placed financially right now.
The virus thunderbolt that was delivered to our planet only four months ago has changed lives forever: people have lost loved ones; businesses have been destroyed; people who could ill afford it have become unemployed. The recovery period will be long and arduous.
You blokes who play this game are among the lucky ones. You can be a part of the recovery in this country in the way you can inspire, entertain and lift the spirits of our sport-starved public.
Please, stop behaving like selfish, immature boofheads. Start acting like the professionals you profess to be. Work on becoming an asset to this game, our communities and our country in general.