NRL General Discussion Thread

[abashii]

As I recall, Folau agreed to stop with the instagramming about the gays and their one-way ticket to the seventh circle of Hell but then reneged on the deal after experiencing a further spiritual awakening. Can't remember if it was a verbal or written agreement now though. I'm pretty sure he also solicited for donations to pay his legal fees as well which while legal seems pretty poor form for a young multi-millionaire getting in trouble over his love of spreading only part of Jesus' message.

 

[Wolfie]

As I recall, Folau agreed to stop with the instagramming about the gays and their one-way ticket to the seventh circle of Hell but then reneged on the deal after experiencing a further spiritual awakening. Can't remember if it was a verbal or written agreement now though. I'm pretty sure he also solicited for donations to pay his legal fees as well which while legal seems pretty poor form for a young multi-millionaire getting in trouble over his love of spreading only part of Jesus' message.

I remember the ARU tried to amend his contract but he wouldn't sign it.

I still think when you look at some of the things other players have done ( including what Lodgey did ) it makes no sense to exclude Folau.

 

[Bull Shark]

1985 playoff for 5th between Manly & Penrith on Fox 502 now..game kicks off and both teams immediately engage in a kicking duel.. commentators call it like it’s nothing unusual at all..
The entire world would soil itself if something similar happened in 2021

 

[Allo]

That's the issue. You don't expect much. Bashing your missus or assaulting a bloke in the street is fine, just don't piss off the gays on twitter.

Now who’s assuming. Don’t twist my words to make it sound like I’m fine with DV or we’ll have bigger problems than this conversation.

Look you clearly feel very strongly that Israel hasn’t done anything wrong, and I can’t change your mind, so I won’t.

But surely you can understand why there’s so much opposition, regardless if you agree with it or not

 

[abashii]

I remember the ARU tried to amend his contract but he wouldn't sign it.

That's quite possible. I've tried to look at sources from the time but it's pretty spotty, and my memory might be faulty. From the articles around the time of the sacking it was reported that Folau's contract was terminated for high level breaches of the code of conduct, and he had been warned "formally and repeatedly" about his responsibilities when using social media.

I still think when you look at some of the things other players have done ( including what Lodgey did ) it makes no sense to exclude Folau.

With Folau I think it's not so much that he's done something unforgivable but that he's got a long and consistent history of doing the same thing. It's just not tenable - if he was allowed registration how long do you honestly think it would be before he said something about the gays on instagram, either off his own bat or in response to someone? Then the NRL cops a public flogging and either sacks him or starts the countdown timer to his next controversy. Don't forget, after getting turfed from the rugger buggers he was filmed preaching that the bushfires and drought were God's punishment for same sex marriage being made legal. He's not changing his views or going to keep quiet about them and as an administrator I'd absolutely not be willing to stick my neck out in the hope he's finally changed.

 

[Wolfie]

That's quite possible. I've tried to look at sources from the time but it's pretty spotty, and my memory might be faulty. From the articles around the time of the sacking it was reported that Folau's contract was terminated for high level breaches of the code of conduct, and he had been warned "formally and repeatedly" about his responsibilities when using social media.

With Folau I think it's not so much that he's done something unforgivable but that he's got a long and consistent history of doing the same thing. It's just not tenable - if he was allowed registration how long do you honestly think it would be before he said something about the gays on instagram, either off his own bat or in response to someone? Then the NRL cops a public flogging and either sacks him or starts the countdown timer to his next controversy. Don't forget, after getting turfed from the rugger buggers he was filmed preaching that the bushfires and drought were God's punishment for same sex marriage being made legal. He's not changing his views or going to keep quiet about them and as an administrator I'd absolutely not be willing to stick my neck out in the hope he's finally changed.

I'd give him the opportunity personally to see if he can keep his mouth shut. I'd say if he was willing to agree to some of the terms the dragons put to him i think he may keep his nose clean. I dont think they have to stick their necks out for him, just give him an opportunity. Other players though have been repeat offenders and are still allowed to play in the NRL. I cant see how they can pick and choose who they are lenient with and who they arent.

 

[john1420]

You serious? They paid him out because he didn't breach his contract. If he did, it wouldn't have made it to court.

Is a company allowed to stop an employee from expressing religious beliefs?

What you fail to understand here is that a business will sometimes pay out someone who is suing them because it's cheaper, even if they are right.
The business I work for got sued by someone we fired, and had EVERY reason to fire him and did at all by the book, but he sued us anyway, asking for a certain payout figure.
We did our sums and calculated how much it would cost us to win, offered him a bit less that than that and he took it and walked.
Just good business.

 

[Morkel]

If I remember correctly, his post was also a private post, the only reason it became Big News was because someone screenshotted it.

So while you could argue that he was indeed instigating intolerance, it's no different to something said behind closed doors.

 

[broncos4life]

I remember the ARU tried to amend his contract but he wouldn't sign it.

I still think when you look at some of the things other players have done ( including what Lodgey did ) it makes no sense to exclude Folau.

Makes plenty of sense when you consider that Lodge has made huge changes to his life and hasn’t stepped a foot out of line for years despite copping it everyday for what he did. Your mate Izzy hasn’t even apologised for what he did and as much as you want to bury your head in the sand about it words from people with the stature of Folau hurt and have real consequences and impact to people.

 

[broncos4life]

I'd give him the opportunity personally to see if he can keep his mouth shut. I'd say if he was willing to agree to some of the terms the dragons put to him i think he may keep his nose clean. I dont think they have to stick their necks out for him, just give him an opportunity. Other players though have been repeat offenders and are still allowed to play in the NRL. I cant see how they can pick and choose who they are lenient with and who they arent.

Are you purposely living in a fantasy land? He hasn’t given any indication that he would agree to that and hasn’t even apologised for his last offensive statement.

Given your hard line stance on other offenders I can’t work out why you are flying the flag for this fuckwit so hard? Is it just because he is such a great player so you are happy to overlook? Or do you agree with his statements?

 

[Petch67]

Are you purposely living in a fantasy land? He hasn’t given any indication that he would agree to that and hasn’t even apologised for his last offensive statement.

Given your hard line stance on other offenders I can’t work out why you are flying the flag for this fuckwit so hard? Is it just because he is such a great player so you are happy to overlook? Or do you agree with his statements?

Why should he apoligise if thats his belief? Even if he quoted from a book of fairytales!!! And if people agree with him thats their choice but too many sensitive cry babies in the world these days ...boo fuckin hoo

 

[broncos4life]

Why should he apoligise if thats his belief? Even if he quoted from a book of fairytales!!! And if people agree with him thats their choice but too many sensitive cry babies in the world these days ...boo fuckin hoo

If he wants to play at the very least he has to apologise. The **** can believe what he wants to believe but as a representative of an organisation there are consequences for openly spouting those beliefs.

This piece of shit isn’t the only religious person in sport but seems to be the only one that needs to openly spout this bullshit.

Putting all that aside and any care or compassion for other people (something you clearly aren’t capable of outside of your immediate family or something that impacts you) how many players do you think would actually want this grub at their club? Given the statistics on homosexuality there would be plenty of players that are either gay or friends with a gay person and I would imagine they don’t want to be suiting up with this fuckhead.

 

[Wolfie]

Are you purposely living in a fantasy land? He hasn’t given any indication that he would agree to that and hasn’t even apologised for his last offensive statement.

Given your hard line stance on other offenders I can’t work out why you are flying the flag for this fuckwit so hard? Is it just because he is such a great player so you are happy to overlook? Or do you agree with his statements?

Before i start, i want to make it clear i dont condone or agree with what Folau said. I'm not sticking up for his belief's, i dont agree with them, even though i feel, like everyone, he is entitled to them.

Whats this hardline stance of mine? Very interested to see your take on that.

I feel he should be given the opportunity to redeem himself and play Rugby League again. Just like Matt Lodge who's offence was, lets face it, far more serious and devastating to the people involved than what Folau did. The NRL are being inconsistent with their punishment and its hard to argue they arent. They give and have given second chances to drug cheats, drug takers, drug trafficers and suppliers, people that commit domestic violence, racists, players using similarly disparaging remarks to Folau about disabled people. The list is endless.

You are right though, he hasnt publically given any indication he would agree to any terms, but he hasnt said he wont agree to it either so you cant really use that as a stick to beat him with when we dont know. I do think an apology would be nice, agree with you there.

 

[holdzy]

1985 playoff for 5th between Manly & Penrith on Fox 502 now..game kicks off and both teams immediately engage in a kicking duel.. commentators call it like it’s nothing unusual at all..
The entire world would soil itself if something similar happened in 2021

I would love to see that this year.

 

[Thelmus]

I would love to see that this year.

I'm actually surprised it doesnt happen. There must be times when a team would be completely oblivious to the possibility. It's happened with things like kick offs, goal line drop outs etc. (not saying as a regular tactic, just to catch a team off-guard, like a contested scrum)
As for Dalai, I'm with Wolfie. There have been far worse excused. The only thing I would demand is a commitment to refrain from any statements of the like.
Religious views expressed that a condemn a law abiding portion of society should not be tolerated by players, officials or media given access.
After he retires he can express his views as he sees fit but until then "no comment" should be a regular part of his vernacular.
I would prefer people held views that aligned with my own but it is in the interests of society that unpopular views be aired (but also contested). It is not in the interests of the game however that a person's NRL profile be used to air them.
I long for the day when another James Roberts is brave enough to stand tall against the falau's out there and people like him hinder the growth every bit as much as the xenophobics but like them

 

[Petch67]

If he wants to play at the very least he has to apologise. The **** can believe what he wants to believe but as a representative of an organisation there are consequences for openly spouting those beliefs.

This piece of shit isn’t the only religious person in sport but seems to be the only one that needs to openly spout this bullshit.

Putting all that aside and any care or compassion for other people (something you clearly aren’t capable of outside of your immediate family or something that impacts you) how many players do you think would actually want this grub at their club? Given the statistics on homosexuality there would be plenty of players that are either gay or friends with a gay person and I would imagine they don’t want to be suiting up with this fuckhead.

Id say theres plenty more straight people playing the game...but lets bow down to the sooks in the so called minority groups over any fucking subject.....are you ok or do you need a cuddle......admin for the 3rd time delete my account if your even capable......if i want to see this bullshit from flogs ill stick to facebook

 

[Xzei]

If it were really the crime of the century you would think twitter would de platform him right?
They seem to have their finger on the pulse of pc culture.

 

[Dash]

Id say theres plenty more straight people playing the game...but lets bow down to the sooks in the so called minority groups over any fucking subject.....are you ok or do you need a cuddle......admin for the 3rd time delete my account if your even capable......if i want to see this bullshit from flogs ill stick to facebook

You'd be right at home on Facebook.