State of the Game
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:06 pm
We're only 2 rounds in, but it looks like the NRL is heading towards another year of shame and misery, and whilst the AFL are also experiencing their own issues, can the NRL keep going?
The Canterbury Bulldogs are in the midst of perhaps a bigger crisis than when they were relegated to last place 2 years ago. Not only are six players accused of rape, but another player has now been listed as a cocaine user. If this player has been tested by the NRL, a 12 week ban would have applied. Since the Bulldogs tested the player, they were fined $25,000.
Last week they sacked Garry Hughes - the first public victim of the sex-scandal. This week, CEO Steve Mortimer "resigned", although there is the signs that he was pushed by Bulldogs Chairman George Peponis.
All this has occured with only two players being publicly reprimanded over the whole incident - Brent Sherwin and Willy Mason were fined over wearing inappropriate clothing to police interviews. From all reports, none of the players have been cooperating, and one has flat-out refused to assist.
Of course, there have been allegations against Melbourne Storm players, whom have apparently been cooperating completely with police.
And on top of all this, we have several match officials stood down for glaring mistakes, and an administration seemingly incapable of making NRL clearly a national sport.
*venting frustrations*
The Canterbury Bulldogs are in the midst of perhaps a bigger crisis than when they were relegated to last place 2 years ago. Not only are six players accused of rape, but another player has now been listed as a cocaine user. If this player has been tested by the NRL, a 12 week ban would have applied. Since the Bulldogs tested the player, they were fined $25,000.
Last week they sacked Garry Hughes - the first public victim of the sex-scandal. This week, CEO Steve Mortimer "resigned", although there is the signs that he was pushed by Bulldogs Chairman George Peponis.
All this has occured with only two players being publicly reprimanded over the whole incident - Brent Sherwin and Willy Mason were fined over wearing inappropriate clothing to police interviews. From all reports, none of the players have been cooperating, and one has flat-out refused to assist.
Of course, there have been allegations against Melbourne Storm players, whom have apparently been cooperating completely with police.
And on top of all this, we have several match officials stood down for glaring mistakes, and an administration seemingly incapable of making NRL clearly a national sport.
*venting frustrations*