THE next few weeks will show how serious the Group 10 executive and judiciary are about stamping out violence in rugby league.
To hear Sunday’s premier league game between Mudgee and Lithgow had been called off after 37 minutes, four fights and three sin bins was frustrating.
Firstly, I have to commend the referee, Brett Masters, for having the courage to call the game off.
I imagine this was not an easy decision to make.
Group 10 has fined Mudgee and Lithgow $5000 each, but $3000 of that is suspended.
I don’t think fining clubs is the way to go.
It is the players who are throwing punches on the field. They need to show better control. They are meant to be adults. They’re meant to be the role models for our junior players.
I thought the lesson was learnt last year after the fallout from the derby between Orange CYMS and Hawks.
I hate to bring it up again but what came from that game has set a precedent which cannot be ignored.
CYMS were fined $5000 for their involvement in the incident and $3000 of it was suspended.
Hawks were dumped from the remainder for the 2011 Group 10 season but the first division and under 18s sides were later reinstated.
Two Hawks players were charged with misconduct, striking and contrary conduct and were suspended for 15 and 16 months respectively.
From Sunday’s game, nine players have been charged with striking and behaviour contrary to the spirit of the game.
If you ask me that sounds very similar to the charges the Hawks players faced, but will the judiciary deliver similar punishments? We’ll have to wait and see.
I’M issuing a challenge to some of our online readers - put your real name to your comments.
I’m all for people being able to express their opinion.
However, if you don’t have the guts to put your name to your comments, shut up.
Those who are quoted in the paper, and now myself here, have to courage to put our opinions in the public arena.
Unfortunately there are plenty of people who make outrageous comments online and hide behind the safety of a fake name.
So, those who wish to comment online, I challenge you to have the guts to put your real name to your comments.
Or are you too chicken?