I thought it might be timely to give my thoughts on the penalties handed out in respect of this incident.
Ten players from the Western City Tigers fronted the judiciary. The judiciary charged eight out of the ten players and the punishments handed out ranged from 6 game bans to 25 year suspensions. The longest penalty was handed out to the spectator in the photo below, who came onto the field and attempted to kick a fallen Waratahs player. It is a particularly sickening image and one which I am ashamed to look at as a rugby league fan. The penalty handed out to the 17 year old was a 25 year ban. He will be unable to play rugby league until 2038.
[picture sourced from http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/penrith-league-brawl-sees-boy-suspended-for-25-years-20130829-2ss34.html]
The teenager named Jordan, says he is surprised at the severity of the punishment. His legal guardian suggests that Jordan could have killed someone and received a less severe punishment.
This raises the question as to whether the penalties were too extreme.
Panthers group chairman Don Feltis says that he hopes that the severe punishments will act as a deterrent.
What are your thoughts?
Love,
@LadiesWhoLeague
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Today's post is one which I am saddened to write.
Over the weekend there has been a lot of commentary about the proposed introduction of anti-violence legislation to try and stop the increase in brawling which is happening at weekend, suburban rugby league matches between not only players, but spectators.
The catalyst for the commentary over the weekend was a brawl between the Penrith Waratahs and Western City Tigers under-19 teams at Turnbull Oval in North Richmond on Saturday 10 August 2013. This brawl involved players and spectators - about 40 people altogether.
There have been plenty of comments made about the brawl and plenty of disgust expressed. AFL NSW/ACT general manager Tom Harley called a picture of the brawl 'damning'. NSW Rugby League boss David Trodden said of the same photo, that 'it just makes your stomach turn'. Perhaps most on point was Football chief executive Eddie Moore who said 'it's not good for sport in general. You don't want to see that sort of behaviour anywhere. Doesn't matter what code.' The photo discussed by these men was of a Western City Tigers' player with his boot, appearing ready to strike a fallen Penrith Waratah. Scott Weekes, one of the people involved has said that he had his head stomped in the brawl and suffered other injuries.
Don Feltis, who is Penrith and Districts Junior Rugby League complaince and legal coordinator is investigating the incident. Some are already investigating the possibility of taking of legal action.
While racial taunts from the sidelines and a penalty kick in extra time have both been said to have contributed to the brawl, I feel that each time the debate about brawling is raised, there is often a disconnect between what we expect at a junior level and what we expect in top grade.
Let me state, that violence, in any form, is not a look I do not want for the game I love. I do not condone violence at any level of the game involving anyone who is considered to be part of our game.
While I understand that the brawl I have been discussing involved players and spectators, this links nicely to the decisions made earlier in the year in relation to on field violence.
I have been thoroughly impressed with the action that the NRL has taken in regard to on field violence this year. In the weeks following State of Origin I and following the exoneration of Boyd Corner at the judiciary in the weeks that followed, Dave Smith, in conjunction with Daniel Anderson introduced a new rule which aimed to crackdown on fighting. The new rule is simple - throw a punch and you are out. Any player that is caught punching an opponent will be automatically sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, no matter the circumstances.
There was significant debate following this rule change. Some argued that Gallen's punch was a poor look for the game. It gave NRL haters another reason to claim that NRL is a sport for Neanderthals and damaged efforts to outlaw fighting at a Junior level. There were many reported incidents following Gallen's punch where Junior footballers cited Gallen as an excuse for why they had thrown punches at a Junior level.
This is an argument I find difficult to disagree with. The message cannot be sent to Junior players that it is acceptable to punch an opponent. While parents and coaches do have an obligation to teach their kids about what is and what is not correct conduct on the field, it is extremely difficult to say that fighting is an action which will have negative repercussions at a junior level when our game's superstars were not facing the same repercussions at a professional level. Further, while parents certainly have a role in teaching their kids about correct on field behaviour, it is extremely difficult as a parent to tell your child that fighting is not right and then trying to explain to them why in certain contexts, like State of Origin, it is acceptable.
The debate continued following State of Origin Game I, where 4 players (Merrin, Hodges, Bird and Tate) were sent off, following the NRL's crackdown on the punch on. Gus Gould made some comments following this incident which I found interesting.
Gus suggested that 'State of Origin' is a product and that too often the voices of minority groups and the media are heard over the voices of the fans who love the game. The fans who love the game 'enjoy a bit of biff'. This was evident on the day of State of Origin Game II, where ratings were expected to be record breaking, following the publicity after Gallen's punch. This view suggests that the decision to sin bin the four players was an overreaction and that because State of Origin is a special product, exceptions to the normal rules should be made.
NRL is facing a massive challenge from the AFL and this challenge will continue to grow, particularly in NRL heartland - Western Sydney. It is no longer good enough to simply cater to the 'fans of the product'. NRL needs to be marketable, accessible and respected by the wider public. The growth, commitment and adoration of NRL is not going to happen in the community if people continue to see it as a sport played by thugs.
Gus also made the comment that what Gallen did is part of Origin. I also see this comment as part of the problem. Why is fighting part of State of Origin? Passion and aggression can be shown on the football field without having to resort to physical violence. By saying that fighting is part of Origin, this suggests that fighting is a part of NRL and part of the culture of NRL. I don't know about all of you, but that's not really a culture I'm looking for in the game I love.
But Gus left his most ridiculous comment for last '11 on 11 is not a good look for our brand'. I would argue Gus, that fighting is not a good look for our game and certainly not the look for the game that we should be promoting.
The NRL needs to take a tough stance in relation to all violence. It should not be part of our game at any level and the consequences should be similar at all levels of the game - for spectators and for players.
The topic of this post is also a tremendous shame particularly following the announcement last week of the new partnership between the NRL and Touch Football Australia which I was so excited about. This merger was so positive because it creates a link between families and the NRL which needs to be promoted if the NRL is going to continue to be the dominant sport in Sydney.
If we are serious however, violence is something which needs to be absolutely and completely removed from our game.
Love,
@LadiesWhoLeague
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