Talking Footy

A Waterford Demons Rugby League player has been banned for life and the whole team suspended in the wake of a brawl which marred the division one grand final day.
The penalties were issued by the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League (GBJRL) following its investigation into the September incident and handed down by its disciplinary and judiciary tribunal last week.
Topping the disciplinary action was an under-18 Waterford player who was issued a life ban for kicking a Redcliffe player in the head while he lay on the ground.
No charges were handed out to Redcliffe players while every player listed for Waterford in the final have been suspended for 12 months, including Schoolboy Rugby League, trial matches and development squad games.
Four Waterford supporters were set to face charges last Thursday after becoming involved with the fight but failed to appear.
The trial has been rescheduled for next Tuesday and will be conducted in their absence if they fail to appear again while the club faces a $1000 fine if it steps out of line again.
The Redcliffe coach was found guilty of breaching the QRL's code of speaking to the media and issued a 12 month suspended sentence.
GBJRL Operations Manager Shane McNally said the Management Committee took a strong stance to get the message out that violent behaviour will not be tolerated and playing the game was a privilege.
``Even though some of the players punished may believe they have received a harsh penalty the GBJRL has to keep in mind the hundreds of parents who are about to make a decision on what sport their children will play in 2013 and the GBJRL wants rugby league to be high on their list of considerations,'' McNally said.
``By allowing such behaviour as witnessed on Saturday 15 September to go unpunished would send the wrong message to all children and parents.
McNally said the committee was looking at other ways to lessen the chances of incidents reoccurring.
``The structure of the competitions will be considered with the possible introduction of a 'first past the post' style of competition to emphasise 'participation' over the 'win at all costs' attitude that exists in some quarters,'' McNally said.
``The involvement and the effect of 'on field' staff have on the game will be another area up for review as will the conduct of coaching staff at training and on game day.''

Leaguesafe officers are next on the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League's hit list after three teams were banned for a year following brawls in their grand finals.

Xman wrote:

a filthy filthy sport, it stands alone in [testicle biting] that's for sure

The unprecedented sentences are the results of the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League's gala grand final day on September 15 being ruined with violence.

King-Eliagh wrote:

Helen say that again. "Ruined"

Ever heard of the saying Shi.t happens?

Now I'm sure those testicle biting incidents in the AFL and VFL ruined the bloke who had his nads chomped on the day. May have even ruined his chances of having children. Wouldnt you say Helen? So hows about you shout hysterics to that stuff eh?

Annnnnd cornered.

Filthy filthy sport

King-Eliagh wrote:

What happened in brisbane was dealt with without the attitude that this sort of biff is fine. 50 odd players banned tells us this one off incident was taken extremely seriously. This wasnt simply 'a bit of biff'. In contrast the players, and crowd, involved in the biff I witnessed playing marngrook this season, received no bans/punishment whatsoever. Or one from the other team may have, I dont know what happened there but our players and fans who got heavily involved got off scot free. Talk about sweepin under the carpet The focus of this thread drac is about not bringing in blanket rulings on the matter and hence disregarding players instincts and right to defend themselves and stick up for their teammates.

The NRL - Got it right occasionally condoning biffo and retaliation in the context of self defence and sticking up for your teammates
The AFL - Got it wrong with their blanket prohibitive stance. A foregone conclusion, just like the prohibition on alcohol

King-Eliagh wrote:

I'm not furious cause i wasnt there and have no idea whether the bans are appropriate or not. But I trust that RL officials know when to ban and am sure they did the right thing. Marngrook officials on the other hand would have no doubt banned people who did not deserve to be banned.

Funny your take on the all in brawl stuff. I've only played two seasons of marngrook footy and I've never really watched grass roots stuff as seen it happen an observer, yet I've seen the all in brawl twice. In Alice Springs and in Sydney. Me thinks you dont really know what you're talking about Xman

King-Eliagh wrote:

I'd say they banned those involved in unnecessary violence. My and your opinion on what is necessary and unecessary violence differ Xman. Your opinion is unrealistic and lacking in depth.

Biffo, it should be viewed and ruled upon in the context in which it takes place. If a school child defends a mate who's getting badly bullied in the school yard with a swift bit o' biff does he/she get 8weeks suspension? No. But this would happen in the AFL

Biffin? Its fine if used in the right manner, for toddlers, primary school children and secondary school children...as well as adults and senior citizens. :D