You can argue the stand-down rules are neither an effective deterrent nor a fair punishment – but that’s not the point of them.
The rule has never been perfect or even fair;nor has it changed player behaviour. It was a stop-gap reaction to an emergency. Five years on,its purpose has been served and it deserves retirement.
The Dragons star’s parents and sister have lashed out at the police who investigated his case.
The Dragons forward has decided to play for the Kumuls despite last year appearing to close the door on ever representing PNG,saying he would “feel like a bit of a fraud”.
The controversial tackle has been in the headlines all year,but few have been willing to challenge it at the judiciary. But St George Illawarra might buck the trend.
St George Illawarra fans were angry with the side and Ben Hunt after being mauled by the Sharks,but the players insist their No.7 is still the best option as skipper.
The Dragons skipper is on the radar of several cashed up NRL clubs while teammate is in talks to finish his career at St George Illawarra.
At 32,Jack de Belin is backing himself to return to his best football at the Dragons,and refusing to give up on a NSW Blues return.
As Jack de Belin prepares to face former teammates Paul Vaughan and Matt Dufty,the powerhouse forward made a point of praising the efforts of Tariq Sims.
The Wollongong detective was strongly criticised for his conduct in the investigation but the District Court judge Andrew Haesler ultimately allowed the case to proceed.
The Dragons forward said his return to the game in the NRL’s six-again era has been much harder than he thought as he opens up on his ambition to play for NSW again.