Storm V Knights (Spoilers)

[Emma]

I was wondering if anyone was going to bring this up again after people bagged him out all day yesterday without even knowing what he said.

Seriously, I think Billy has been treated VERY harshly over this incident. He could have said that to anyone. For all we know, Patterson was having a sook about something that happened and that was his knee jerk reaction. God, I've said that to my nephew before when he's being a sooky la la!!! Can anyone categorically say that it was in direct reference to him suffering depression? If he'd said that to anyone else, it would have been fine, and I'm sure things like that are said a lot on the footy field (especially to the biggest whingers of our game). Things along the lines of 'harden up', 'go and have a saucer of milk' etc etc. But Patterson has taken exception because of what he has been through, and that's fine, but it doesn't mean Billy said it to him on purpose to rile him up about his illness.

The fact that they've cleared the air and Patterson has said there's no hard feelings indicate to me that he might have recognised that he went a bit over the top in his reaction, assumed he was referring to his depression in the heat of the moment but then when he thought about it later on realised he could have made that comment to anyone.

 

[Flutterby]

This is what he has admited to saying. I have a fairly decent source that has told me other things Billy said were much worse - this was the least offensive thing that was said, but as they haven't been made public and in the interests of protecting the site from potential legal action I won't repeat them here.

The fact the Billy has twice publically apologised, called Cory Paterson directly and was actually referred to the judiciary by the match review committee on a contrary conduct charge, only escaping punishment because Paterson himself said he did not want it to go any further, all add up to pretty strong indicators that what was said was indeed much more serious and direct taunts over his battle with depression.

 

[Kaz]

I think Patterson should take Slater's advice.

 

[Kaz]

I think the NRL sends it to the review committee, just to protect themselves.

As they don't want the precious players crying all the time. Poor woe is them.

 

[Flutterby]

Actually the match review committee were sending it to the NRL as they considered it as serious as Gallen's racial sledge against Paea - only thing that stopped them was Paterson.

 

[Black Philip]

Billy Slater's sledge to Cory Paterson revealed

"Go and have a cry in your room."

This is the taunt that fullback Billy Slater directed at Newcastle forward Cory Paterson last Saturday night, and which prompted the Melbourne and Australian fullback to issue yet another apology yesterday.

Having waged a long battle with depression, Paterson reacted angrily on the field when sledged by Slater during the match at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 5843978076

I call bullshit.

The fact the Billy has twice publically apologised, called Cory Paterson directly and was actually referred to the judiciary by the match review committee on a contrary conduct charge, only escaping punishment because Paterson himself said he did not want it to go any further, all add up to pretty strong indicators that what was said was indeed much more serious and direct taunts over his battle with depression.

Exactly.

 

[Kaz]

Lets be honest.

If Slater was truly sorry, he would have said sorry to Patterson after the game ended.