Talking Footy

Brad Murray bombshell: I lied to police
Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
November 21, 20113:56PM

THE NRL match-fixing case took an unexpected twist today when key witness Brad Murray admitted he lied to police to "save my NRL career".

The former Roosters and Eels lower-grader this morning appeared in the Downing Centre local court as a prosecution witness in the case against colourful league identity John Elias, who has been accused of attempting to gain financial advantage through deception in relation to a betting plunge on last year’s Bulldogs-Cowboys fixture.

Murray had originally told police he placed three separate bets on the Cowboys to score the first penalty goal at the behest of his agent Sam Ayoub, who has also been charged in relation to the alleged fix.

In his original statement, Murray claimed Ayoub had told him the match was a "set up".

The statement was relied upon as evidence by the police in the conviction of ex-Bulldogs prop Ryan Tandy last month.

But on the witness stand under oath this morning, the 21-year-old dropped a bombshell when he backflipped and told the court he had lied to save his NRL career.

"I was put under immense pressure and duress by my ex-football club (Parramatta)," Murray told the court.

"I thought this was going to be the only way I could save my football career."

TAB spokesman Glenn Munsie was today’s other high profile witness, with the media man detailing how the betting agency cancelled its exotic market just hours before kick-off.

Munsie also revealed that Elias telephoned him “two or three weeks” after the match and accused him of spreading rumours.

“He (Elias) said: ‘You’ve been spreading my name around town about this business. You’ve got a big mouth’,” Munise told the court.

“I replied, ‘No I haven’t. Your name has been mentioned to me on many occasions but I’ve not mentioned your name’.”

Munise said Elias then sent him a text, which read: “If you say you haven’t done it, then I’ve got to believe you”.

The trial continues tomorrow, with a verdict expected on Thursday or Friday.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6201084590

King-Eliagh wrote:

Yes its sad but true Rugby league like all sports has its share of crooks and crims in the game. Elias sounds like he's gotta go, will be intersting to see the outcome of this saga.

AFL Warrior wrote:

We are talking about the corrupt "game" called the NRL, not the AFL you merkins! Keep to the FACTS!

AFL Warrior wrote:

So you calling the Victorian Police corrupt? Why don't you go to the St Kilda Police Complex in Melbourne and say it to their faces? Am sure they would wipe that ******** NRL smirk off your face quick smart! And what about the cleanskin NSW Police huh? The Coffs Harbour rape case is a good example of an inept police service in NSW.

AFL Warrior wrote:

The NSW Police the best and honest?

King-Eliagh wrote:

AFL 'Warrior'you do try but you are out of your league

Now why arent you working hard and paying those taxes?

Yes I agree Raider the AFL has numerous issues with their credibility. Thanks for pointing out yet another and taking care of the 'Warrior'. I notice he got a little fiery there but you managed to lower him to his old lines about natives once again

AFL Warrior wrote:

I have just exposed you NRL fools for what you truly are...RACIST BIGOTS who ignore that fact our Native people are victims of NSW Police aggression and you turn a blind eye to it...so typical of the NRL mentality on this site! But I suppose you have to support the NSW Police as they a doing a sterling job covering up the criminal activities of the NRL.