Wayne Bennett related player movement discussion

[Kimlo]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

Honest opinion? I have no problem with him coming back to the game, or with us (which I think is no chance anyway), if he's done his time in gaol then he's served his punishment (rehab... Whatever). I've seen people go to jail before and come out as changed people, as well as some that never learn and go straight back in.



Obviously if something like that were to go ahead, it'd have to be basically minimum wage and very, very strict behavioural conditions.



I don't see it ever happening, but I don't think he should be summarily dismissed without the club carefully considering all the circumstances and what he's done after the crime to improve his character and move forward in a positive direction.

 

[Porthoz]

Re: willie mason

Dave Shillington under WB would be a good get.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

I had just assumed Packer was banned for life from the NRL. He basically tried to kill a guy. Even if he was available to play, why the hell would we want him? He was a lazy, stupid player to begin with. Mitch Garbutt is the same size with better defense and presumably less history of stomping on the heads of unconscious people. I get the point that Packer's doing his time, and that discrimination against cons can lead to recidivism and all that malarkey but Packer was never that good anyway so why would you take the publicity and sponsorship hit for a fringe first grader?

 

[Brent81]

Re: willie mason

Well he does a ****ing great impression of one then.

Who do you suppose plays prop then?

I think that's why we need a Mason style player....for argument's sake

8. Hannant
9. McCollough
10. Mason/Garbutt/some other lunkhead prop (>190cm and >112kgs)
11. Maguire
12. Gillett
13. Parker

Maguire is pretty quick for a forward, reminds me of Watmough...I'd like to see him taking the third run rather than the second run

 

[Bucking Beads]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

I had just assumed Packer was banned for life from the NRL. He basically tried to kill a guy. Even if he was available to play, why the hell would we want him? He was a lazy, stupid player to begin with. Mitch Garbutt is the same size with better defense and presumably less history of stomping on the heads of unconscious people. I get the point that Packer's doing his time, and that discrimination against cons can lead to recidivism and all that malarkey but Packer was never that good anyway so why would you take the publicity and sponsorship hit for a fringe first grader?

I think you've nailed it.

 

[Unbreakable]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

There's some things that can be forgiven by the NRL, drug use, alcohol abuse, assault are usually all forgiven after the punishments and appropriate rehabilitation have been completed.

But attempted murder is not on that list, he should never play Rugby League again, especially taking into consideration the cowardly way in which it happened.

 

[Brent81]

Re: willie mason

Oh, I'm sorry... 3 cms and a whole 6 kgs according to your info. That 1 cm and 2 kgs extra makes all the difference of course!

I am not comparing McGuire to Webke as players, I know better than that!
I am comparing their sizes, as for all intents and purposes, Webke was "small" for the position.

Probably helped Webcke that we had other 'big' blokes in the team - Civo, Thorn, Tallis, Ryan etc...even the wingers and centres were big, Smith, Tuqiri, Sailor.....Ps Webcke had the best leg drive of anyone I've ever seen....Maguire doesn't have that...

 

[Kaz]

Re: willie mason

Webcke - 183cm 112kg

Maguire - 180cm 106kg

So you're wrong on the stats.

Thanks for clearing that up BHQ's version of David Middleton.

 

[uptheguts]

Re: willie mason

If Willie would be of any value for us then WB should know. I would go with his judgment on this one. I do agree that Willie may not be worth the gamble , so of course the price would have to be right.

 

[Kimlo]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

Attempted murder? It was assault that he was charged for. He pleaded guilty and as far as I know hasn't even tried ho appeal it, he was also affected by alcohol at that time.



Don't get me wrong here, I have no admiration for Packer, and don't even rate him highly as a player that I'd want the club to pursue him, but if he served his time, was genuinely remorseful, had taken genuine steps to improve himself and he approached the club pleading for a job, I would at least expect the club to weigh up everything and not just dismiss him because he has a record. People can genuinely **** up, doesn't mean they will always be fuckups.

That being said, I think playing the NRL is a privilege and on his history, there would need to be exceptional circumstances for him to ever be allowed to play again. He can always get a regular job like the rest of us.

 

[ningnangnong]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

Attempted murder? It was assault that he was charged for. He pleaded guilty and as far as I know hasn't even tried ho appeal it, he was also affected by alcohol at that time.

Earlier Packer, 24, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after he bashed a man during a booze-fuelled night last year, with the court hearing he had stomped on his victim's face as the man lay motionless in Martin Place in Sydney's CBD.

Russell Packer of the Newcastle Knights sentenced to two years' jail

No fucking way this guy deserves a second chance in the NRL - regardless of serving his sentence. He's lucky it wasn't an attempted murder charge - pure dog act.

 

[Porthoz]

Re: willie mason

Probably helped Webcke that we had other 'big' blokes in the team - Civo, Thorn, Tallis, Ryan etc...even the wingers and centres were big, Smith, Tuqiri, Sailor.....Ps Webcke had the best leg drive of anyone I've ever seen....Maguire doesn't have that...

Regardless, McGuire is a prop or a lock, he's not and never will be an edge forward. He does a very good job as a prop, and while very few will ever compare to Webcke, I actually think Moose is the closest thing we have to Shane. He is uncompromising, fearless and works his butt off, while not being the most talented guy on the field. He doesn't have that leg drive, but he certainly doesn't quickly flop like Thaiday or even Hannant either.

Although I disagree with this labelling of players according to their size, it's certain it helps, and I do agree we could do with a big bopper next to him. I hoped Kennedy would be that guy, and still hope that Bennett can bring out the best out of Marty. Hopefully Garbutt also makes a difference with his size.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

Attempted murder? It was assault that he was charged for. He pleaded guilty and as far as I know hasn't even tried ho appeal it, he was also affected by alcohol at that time.



Don't get me wrong here, I have no admiration for Packer, and don't even rate him highly as a player that I'd want the club to pursue him, but if he served his time, was genuinely remorseful, had taken genuine steps to improve himself and he approached the club pleading for a job, I would at least expect the club to weigh up everything and not just dismiss him because he has a record. People can genuinely **** up, doesn't mean they will always be fuckups.

That being said, I think playing the NRL is a privilege and on his history, there would need to be exceptional circumstances for him to ever be allowed to play again. He can always get a regular job like the rest of us.

"After knocking the victim to the ground with several blows, Packer stood over the motionless victim and threw an upper-cut punch before stomping on his head, an act Judge Hoy described as ‘‘executionary’’."

Our judiciary system is highly outcome-biased. Single punches can result in murder charges and savage attacks without any resultant permanent injuries can see suspended sentences only. He wasn't charged with attempted murder, and none of us knows what, if anything, he was thinking at the time. But given the nature of the attack I think everyone's lucky it didn't end up a lot worse.

 

[Brett]

Re: willie mason

I don't think it's very accurate to be using player stats from Wiki, NRL or the Broncos website. If Hayne is heavier than Parker I'll eat a toad.

 

[Porthoz]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

That stomp to the head would equal attempted murder in my book, and that is what I would've tried to charge him with if I was the prosecutor.

Booze fuelled or not, that is a despicable act that shows his true nature as a person. I wouldn't even start to entertain the thought of him playing for us.

We had this discussion a few years back regarding Shaun Metcalf and the Warriors throwing him a life-line. Fortunately imo, karma ended up taking care of it, when his career was ended by an ankle infection that same year.

 

[Porthoz]

Re: willie mason

Those toads taste pretty nasty from what I've heard... :aetsch:
It wouldn't surprise me at all if they were very close. Hayne is a pretty big boy and doesn't look small next to Inglis or a Vidot for example.

 

[Kimlo]

Re: Russel Packer - possible link to Broncos

Russell Packer of the Newcastle Knights sentenced to two years' jail

No fucking way this guy deserves a second chance in the NRL - regardless of serving his sentence. He's lucky it wasn't an attempted murder charge - pure dog act.

Which is fair enough too, he definitely doesn't deserve one, but if he completely turned his life around and has taken all the right steps, and medical professionals advised the club he is unlikely to ever re-offend and the club gave him a shot, I wouldn't be up in arms about it. I've seen people I know who have done a very bad thing, serve their punishment and they've truly never set a foot wrong again. My own brother went to jail for driving without a licence (heaps of times) and he eventually got sent to jail for it, he's never got on the wrong side of the law since. Obviously that's a chalk and cheese comparison since Packer's act is about as disgraceful as they come, but I don't think people are incapable of change, mind you plenty never change, but some do and given all the right circumstances I'm happy for them to be considered, even if that meant playing local level league for a few years after getting out, getting a real job and staying squeaky clean.

While I don't want him at the club anyway, because I don't really rate him, and because I think he's a scum, I thought it would be an interesting discussion to have.

 

[Kaz]

Re: willie mason

If Hayne is heavier than Parker I'll eat a toad.

Bon Appétit