Paul Green’s high school sweetheart has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the former rugby league coach after his tragic death rocked the NRL community this week.
The 49-year-old was found dead at his Brisbane home on Thursday morning, the day after his son’s ninth birthday. It has been confirmed he took his own life from him.
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The Courier Mail reports Green called his friend and longtime manager George Mimis at 4.30pm on Wednesday to speak about his son’s birthday celebrations.
The News Corp publication also reports the footy legend’s wife Amanda found him unresponsive at their home after returning from doing pilates at the gym.
Green’s death comes 11 months after he was sacked as head coach of the Maroons following Queensland’s loss in last year’s State of Origin series, which included a 50-6 win for the Blues.
Speaking on Gold Coast’s 92.5 Triple M Breakfast show, radio announcer Ali Plath fought back tears while grieving the loss of her first love.
“My heart is breaking today for his wife Amanda and his beautiful kids and obviously his parents, and his four siblings,” she said.
“Paul and I went to high school together, he was my first love. You only get one first love.
“We were together when I was in Year 12 for a year and then we split up. I had kids with (former partner) Mark and when that didn’t work out, Paul and I got back together.
“We then did nine years of on-off, long-distance, de facto… I guess we were that couple that I think our family and friends were so much happier than we were when we finally split up.
“Paul was a wonderful stepdad to my two older kids Jesse and Jake when we all lived in Sydney together when I finally had the courage to move them.
“For him to swallow his pride and I guess take my kids under his wing, I really didn’t appreciate how big that was at the time. It’s a big responsibility taking on someone else’s family.
“Paul was extremely loyal, he was highly intelligent — even though I used to tell him I was smarter than him. When I was in Year 12, he was two years older than me, and he was getting up for not doing my schoolwork.
“He just had such a great sense of fun as well as being so capable. If Paul said to you, ‘I’m going to be a pilot’, (you knew) he was going to be a pilot. And he did – he was a commercial pilot.
“My mum let him take me to Hervey Bay in this mosquito airplane when he was doing his training. That’s how capable Paul was. You trusted him, you knew he could do it, I never doubted him.
“He was just one of those people who you knew you could rely on. (As an NRL player), he was one of those players you could count on and he would give his all of him.
“I can’t believe that he’s done this, I can’t believe this has happened.
“That’s not Paul. I’m actually in complete and utter shock. I only spoke to him a couple of months ago.
“It’s horrible.”
Meanwhile, Green’s family is still coming to terms with the footy legend’s passing and revealed plans for a celebration of his life.
Green’s brother Rick told The Sunday Mail the family had come together to plan a public funeral, expected to be held August 23 or 30 at Kougari Oval, the home of the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls, a team Green both played with and coached to premiership glory.
But Rick also revealed the family was struggling to come to terms with the enormous loss.
“Everyone is feeling overwhelmed,” he told The Sunday Mail.
“There’s certainly a lot of stories that we’re sharing about our times with Paul but as we reflect on those good times, there’s a great sadness at his passing.
“It’s still very raw and difficult to process.”
The family had earlier released a statement after the news broke of Green’s death.
“Today we are devastated,” the statement began.
“We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son. We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feeling, however we would like to extend our thanks to those who have reached out to us with their love and support.
“Paul was loved by so many and we know that this news will generate immense interest, however at this time we ask for privacy.
“Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy and we request space and time as we come to terms with this loss. Thank you.”
Paul Green’s high school sweetheart has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the former rugby league coach after his tragic death rocked the NRL community this week.
The 49-year-old was found dead at his Brisbane home on Thursday morning, the day after his son’s ninth birthday. It has been confirmed he took his own life from him.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The Courier Mail reports Green called his friend and longtime manager George Mimis at 4.30pm on Wednesday to speak about his son’s birthday celebrations.
The News Corp publication also reports the footy legend’s wife Amanda found him unresponsive at their home after returning from doing pilates at the gym.
Green’s death comes 11 months after he was sacked as head coach of the Maroons following Queensland’s loss in last year’s State of Origin series, which included a 50-6 win for the Blues.
Speaking on Gold Coast’s 92.5 Triple M Breakfast show, radio announcer Ali Plath fought back tears while grieving the loss of her first love.
“My heart is breaking today for his wife Amanda and his beautiful kids and obviously his parents, and his four siblings,” she said.
“Paul and I went to high school together, he was my first love. You only get one first love.
“We were together when I was in Year 12 for a year and then we split up. I had kids with (former partner) Mark and when that didn’t work out, Paul and I got back together.
“We then did nine years of on-off, long-distance, de facto… I guess we were that couple that I think our family and friends were so much happier than we were when we finally split up.
“Paul was a wonderful stepdad to my two older kids Jesse and Jake when we all lived in Sydney together when I finally had the courage to move them.
Gold Coast radio announcer Ali Plath has shared a heartbreaking tribute to her former high school sweetheart Paul Green on air.Source: Supplied
“For him to swallow his pride and I guess take my kids under his wing, I really didn’t appreciate how big that was at the time. It’s a big responsibility taking on someone else’s family.
“Paul was extremely loyal, he was highly intelligent — even though I used to tell him I was smarter than him. When I was in Year 12, he was two years older than me, and he was getting up for not doing my schoolwork.
“He just had such a great sense of fun as well as being so capable. If Paul said to you, ‘I’m going to be a pilot’, (you knew) he was going to be a pilot. And he did – he was a commercial pilot.
“My mum let him take me to Hervey Bay in this mosquito airplane when he was doing his training. That’s how capable Paul was. You trusted him, you knew he could do it, I never doubted him.
“He was just one of those people who you knew you could rely on. (As an NRL player), he was one of those players you could count on and he would give his all of him.
“I can’t believe that he’s done this, I can’t believe this has happened.
“That’s not Paul. I’m actually in complete and utter shock. I only spoke to him a couple of months ago.
“It’s horrible.”
Paul Green is remembered and honored at Suncorp Stadium. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Meanwhile, Green’s family is still coming to terms with the footy legend’s passing and revealed plans for a celebration of his life.
Green’s brother Rick told The Sunday Mail the family had come together to plan a public funeral, expected to be held August 23 or 30 at Kougari Oval, the home of the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls, a team Green both played with and coached to premiership glory.
But Rick also revealed the family was struggling to come to terms with the enormous loss.
“Everyone is feeling overwhelmed,” he told The Sunday Mail.
“There’s certainly a lot of stories that we’re sharing about our times with Paul but as we reflect on those good times, there’s a great sadness at his passing.
“It’s still very raw and difficult to process.”
The family had earlier released a statement after the news broke of Green’s death.
“Today we are devastated,” the statement began.
“We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son. We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feeling, however we would like to extend our thanks to those who have reached out to us with their love and support.
“Paul was loved by so many and we know that this news will generate immense interest, however at this time we ask for privacy.
“Our family is still trying to understand this tragedy and we request space and time as we come to terms with this loss. Thank you.”
Former Cowboys coach Paul Green. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty ImagesSource: Supplied
Five days a week, Karl* goes to work as a high school teacher, planning lessons, marking tests, and dealing with admin. Then, on Sundays, he puts on his uniform and works a sixth day at a local shop.
It’s a long week even though, technically, he’s a part-time teacher.
Despite only being contracted to work two full days at the school — and three half-days — the amount of unpaid overtime needed to prepare for the next day’s classes quickly fills the spare time.
Which is exactly why Karl chose not to take on full-time teaching when he recently graduated, despite a widespread shortage of Australian teachers.
“I kept hearing horror stories of the first-year — early teachers they burn out, they struggle, and I was concerned about it,” he says. “I haven’t sat through a degree so I can do a job for a couple of years and then burnout. I want to do this for a long time, so I need to pace myself.”
Horror stories, like those that led Karl to choose his phased entry into the profession, have become all too common in the teaching industry.
Correna Haythorpe, the national president of the Australian Education Union (AEU) which represents public school teachers across the country, believes the attrition rate for teachers could be as high as 30 per cent within the first five years in some parts of the country.
The cause is often chalked up to “burnout”, a far-reaching condition that can be driven by ballooning workloads, the expansion of responsibility and periods of high stress, like the COVID pandemic.
“The big word that I would use to describe what’s happening to teachers is demoralisation,” says Gabbie Stroud, a former teacher (or “recovering teacher”, as she describes it) and author of a book about her own burnout.
Former teacher Gabbie Stroud recently answered the call to return to casual teaching due to staff shortages. (Supplied: Gabbie Stroud)
“But how that’s happening is broad and varied: it’s increasing workload, it’s data collection, administration and standardization, and all of those activities that take teachers away from the core business of teaching.”
These issues and more will form part of a roundtable discussion between national, state and territory education ministers on Friday, as they look for ways to attract new teachers to the profession, retain existing staff and stem the chronic shortages plaguing schools.
It comes as Department of Education modeling revealed demand for high school teachers was set to outstrip graduates by more than 4,000 over the next three years.
An issues paper published by the department ahead of the meeting described the staffing challenges as “unprecedented” and the “single biggest issue” facing all school sectors.
While COVID had exacerbated the issue, it said that it was only one part of the problem and perceptions of low pay, unfavorable working conditions, and increasing workloads were also partly to blame.
All these factors contributed to Karl’s decision to go part-time, despite choosing to get into the industry precisely because he saw an opportunity for increased job security.
Even in his first year on the job, he says he’s regularly working upwards of five hours above what he is contracted for each week — a situation he describes as a “pretty common story.”
“I’ve got a lot of teachers around me, and even when they’ve got 10 or 20 years experience, they’re going: ‘yeah, wow, this is nuts’,” he says. “There’s a lot of dazed looks, I don’t want to overstate it, but people are walking around like the walking dead, really knocked around.”
How did we get here?
While teacher shortages — especially in certain regions and for particular subjects — aren’t new, Haythorpe says the current situation “is like nothing we’ve ever seen before.”
“We’re in a perfect storm right now and this is happening right across the nation. It’s not only schools in rural and regional locations that are experiencing shortages,” she says. “There’s no doubt that we’re at crisis point.”
Stroud, who left her job as a primary school teacher in 2016 due to what she believed was burnout, says she prefers the term “teacher drought” to shortage, because “when we think about a drought then we start to think about what’s happening in the environment to cause this”.
Teachers are reportedly often working in excess of 50 hours a week.(AAP: Mick Tsikas)
“I suspect that if everyone who held a teaching degree went back into teaching, we would not have a shortage. So, something has driven them out,” she says. And what’s particularly alarming, she says, is how quickly early career teachers are tapping out.
So, what’s causing it? People we spoke to for this story repeated that workload is the major — if not the number one — issue. According to Haythorpe, teachers are frequently working in excess of 50 hours a week (the standard full-time working week is 38 hours), a figure which is only growing. “COVID exacerbated that but it didn’t create the problem,” she says.
Many teachers also report feeling unprepared to enter the classroom, she says, due to increased expectations to deal with behavioral issues and the need to keep up with changing curriculums.
Earlier this year, a Grattan Institute survey of more than 5,000 teachers and school leaders found more than 90 per cent of teachers felt they didn’t have enough time to prepare adequately for classroom teaching and many said they felt overwhelmed by expectations.
It’s a familiar story to Chris*, who left his job in a mainstream high school after almost 30 years due to a case of burnout that left him in need of psychological treatment. Asked what led him to that point, he rattles off a long list: loss of status, bureaucracy, isolation, and as always, workload.
“If people didn’t have mortgages to pay, there would be no senior teachers left,” he says. “It’s not about the money, it’s about the workload … smaller classes, less administrative burden.”
Stroud echoes a similar sentiment, that more money isn’t the answer for teachers already in the deep end. “Burnout is burnout, demoralization is demoralization,” she says. “The day I left that classroom, you could have told me it was a million dollar a year job and I still would have left.”
How does pay stack up?
The reality, however, is that when it comes to employment money does matter — especially when it comes to attracting high-achievers to the profession and retaining experienced teachers with a myriad of transferable skills.
It’s also part of the equation for Karl as he considers when he might want to make the move to full-time. “Do I want to risk burning myself out for $75,000 a year? No. Once I’m worth $100,000 a year, is it worth maybe increasing it then?” he says. “Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it is the extra spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down.”
According to a 2019 report from the Grattan Institute, the starting salary for most classroom teachers in Australia is between $65,000 and $70,000, topping out at just over $100,000 after about a decade in the workforce. While the starting salary is competitive with other professions, over time teachers quickly fall behind their peers in other industries.
Among proposals to be discussed on Friday is a plan to give some senior teachers a 40 per cent pay bump to take on so-called “master teacher” roles. Paid teaching internships for professionals from other industries are also on the table.
New federal Education Minister Jason Clare will meet with his state and territory counterparts on Friday to discuss widespread teacher shortages. (AAP: Aaron Bunch)
“One thing is certain, we’re not going to fix this problem by just doing the same thing time after time,” federal Education Minister Jason Clare told the ABC last week. “We’ve got to look for new ideas that are going to help not just fix the shortage of teachers but also raise the performance of our kids.”
The Grattan Institute has previously recommended a similar framework to retain and attract people to the workforce, including the creation of two new expert teacher roles that would be paid at a significantly higher salary.
“One of the really key strategies, we believe, to support the workforce going forward is to get much better at recognizing teaching expertise,” says Jordana Hunter, education program director at the Grattan Institute.
“We’ve called for several years now for a reboot of the teacher career structure to introduce an instructional specialist position — a person who is able to demonstrate exceptional, subject-specific teaching practice and has the ability to work with other teachers in their school .”
Haythorpe of the AEU acknowledges the need to find ways to attract teachers to the classroom, but worries about proposals that “pit teachers against teachers”.
“One of my concerns with the master teacher proposal is it really focuses on a small, select group of teachers. This is a problem for everyone and we need appropriate pay and conditions for everyone in the profession.”
So, what’s the solution?
When it comes to workload — something Hunter also says she hears time and time again — the Grattan Institute argues there needs to be a rethink of how teachers can best be supported so they’re able to focus on students.
“One of the things we’ve looked at is how we can free up teacher schedules, so they can really focus on teaching,” Hunter says.
This may look like redeploying teaching assistants and other non-teaching staff to take on extracurricular and supervision activities, allowing teachers more time for lesson planning and academic preparation.
Hunter says they also heard from more than half the teachers they surveyed that they feel like they’re expected to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to lesson planning. “It’s really hitting students hard … this lack of time for teachers to think really carefully about how they’re going to deliver their lessons because instead they’re scrambling on Google and Pintrest.”
One way to alleviate this pressure, according to the Grattan Institute, could be the creation at a school level of high-quality lesson plans that are made available to all teachers to draw upon.
While there are plenty of details to be worked out, Hunter says one thing is clear: there’s no point reaching for a band-aid solution to the shortages without also dealing with the problems on the ground. “Obviously we need to address shortages, but we also have to make it a rewarding job now and keep the great teachers we already have in the classroom,” she says. “Because it’s one of the most important jobs in Australia.”
But while education leaders discuss where to go from here, the reality is already being felt in schools as they scramble for relief teachers and class numbers blow out.
For Gabbie Stroud, that means she could soon find herself somewhere she thought she’d never be again: at the front of the classroom.
A recent newsletter from her child’s school on the NSW south coast included a line begging local parents with a teaching degree to consider coming back to the classroom. “These are heartfelt pleas coming from our schools saying: ‘we’re not coping’,” she says.
So reluctantly, after six years out of the classroom, she’s signed up for casual relief teaching.
“I know it’s the right thing to step up and lend a hand,” she says. “But I don’t feel great about it. This is not the right way, none of this is the right way.”
Tariq Sims’ time at the Dragons appears to be over with the second rower looking at a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines for a high shot on Connor Tracey.
NRL referee Ashley Klein has been blasted as “gutless” for failing to send off Sims after the Dragons enforcer knocked out the Sharks winger in their 24-18 loss on Saturday.
Tracey’s game ended after just 12 minutes after running the ball out of his own half when Andrew McCullough took his legs and Sims came over the top.
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Sims’ shoulder caught Tracey flush on the jaw the Sharks winger appeared to be unconscious before he hit the ground.
Sims immediately called for Tracey to be helped by trainers and he looked visibly uncomfortable as the Cronulla star was being treated by medical staff.
The game was held up for more than five minutes as Tracey was placed onto a stretcher and driven off the field.
Sims has been charged with a grade three careless high tackle and given it is his third and subsequent offence, he is looking at four games on the sideline even with an early plea.
Should he fight the charge unsuccessfully, Sims will be banned for five matches.
Either way, it looks like Sims’ career at the Dragons is over, with the 32-year-old set to join the Melbourne Storm next season.
speaking on Fox League During commentary of Saturday’s game, experts questioned whether Sims should have even been allowed back on the field.
“Oh, there’s a hit here that is going to get the attention of the bunker and it’s Connor Tracey. That had the concern of the Dragons players as well,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.
“I think he knows he’s about to be punished but also some concern for the player he struck. We’re not seeing Connor Tracey again tonight.”
Sims was binned which several commentators deemed fortunate for the 32-year-old leaving the club at the end of the season.
“That was the best case scenario for the Dragons,” Ginnane said.
ABC Grandstand commentator Andrew Moore exploded at Klein while Sims was in the bin.
“That is a gutless decision, and is not in the best interest of the game. I find that absolutely disgusting,” Moore said.
Sims showed plenty of remorse and Tracey was soon back up and walking in the sheds.
“Some good news on Connor Tracey’s welfare, he’s up and about in the sheds … but obviously will not be back tonight,” Fox League sideline reporter Lara Pitt said in the 22nd minute.
In other match review committee news, Panthers front rower James Fisher-Harris is looking at a minimum of two weeks on the sideline for a high shot on Joseph Tapine.
Fisher-Harris was charged with a grade three careless high tackle and faces three weeks out should he fight the ruling and be found guilty at the panel.
The Panthers are set to play the Storm and Rabbitohs in the next fortnight and are already without halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Raiders winger Nick Cotric is also set for a stint on the sideline for high careless high tackle on Dylan Edwards, facing one game out if he takes the early plea.
Like Fisher-Harris, Cotric was sent to the sin bin for his high shot and is looking at two weeks should he fight the charge and be found guilty at the panel.
Raiders teammate Tapinewas also charged for a grade one crusher tackle but will escape with a fine if he takes the early plea.
Originally published as Tariq Sims’ Dragons career as good as over as ref slammed as ‘gutless’
When Michael Hooper withdrew less than 48 hours before the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener in Argentina, it shocked the world.
An outpouring of support was issued across the globe from Will Carling to Karmichael Hunt, as it was revealed that Hooper’s “mindset” was not right and he would miss the Test and fly home.
Yet for those closer to the situation, it was not as surprising.
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Hooper has been pushed to the point of breaking for some time, with few others afforded time in the saddle in his position despite the emergence of talented players like Fraser McReight.
Instead, with precious victories and coaching living by results, the Wallabies – and Super Rugby franchises, perhaps with the exception of the Brumbies and recently the Waratahs – have rolled out their premier players for fear of failure.
A talismanic leader, Hooper had not only been holding the Wallabies together on and off the field for years, he had been putting his head in few places dare go.
The second youngest Wallabies captain of all time, Hooper was the youngest player of all time to play 100 Tests.
Last year, he surpassed George Gregan’s (59) record of Tests captained last year, and he is just 18 shy of the 1999 World Cup-winner’s national record of 139.
Michael Hooper withdrew less than 48 hours before the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener. (Photo by May Bailey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
All this at the tender age of 30, where he has been handed the captaincy by the past three Wallabies coaches after first being capped by another, Robbie Deans, in 2012.
At some point, age, or at least the sheer minutes he had spent on the playing field, he was going to catch up with him.
Of Hooper’s 121 Tests, he has started in 115 of them and gone the full distance in 95 of those Tests. He has missed just 11 Tests, including the weekend’s 41-26 victory over Michael Cheika’s Argentina, since his debut against Scotland off the bench in Newcastle.
By comparison, Richie McCaw, who started in 141 of his 148 Tests, missed 37 Tests during his decorated career.
Interestingly, in the four years before he retired following the World Cup final in 2015, McCaw started 44 of 45 Tests during the period but only played the full 80 minutes in 33 of those Tests.
But, as age, his durability and the weight of captaining the All Blacks for so many years caught up to him, he missed nine Tests during that golden period.
New Zealand Rugby also afforded him a sabbatical in late 2012 and saw him make his comeback in mid-2013. He didn’t play, but rather cooled his heels.
In May, Hooper laughed off suggestions he could make it through to the home World Cup in 2027 by saying he was more likely to be having a “beer” in the stands at that point.
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But it’s not just the home World Cup that feels like an eternity away for Hooper, it’s the 2025 British and Irish Lions series and, indeed, next year’s World Cup too.
It’s believed after years bouncing back up on a Sunday, the heavy knocks are starting to take their toll.
Recently, Hooper played in Brisbane against England despite being struck down by the flu during the week.
When he copped an early hit after being bounced by Ellis Genge, there was an element of concern around whether he had taken another head knock.
A week later, with the Wallabies’ injury toll stretching to double figures, he backed up for the series decider despite having a crook back.
Earlier in the year, Hooper copped a high tackle from a replacement Crusaders forward, which drew a red card, and he spent two weeks on the sidelines.
Privately the Waratahs and Australian officials were filthy because the culprit, Hamish Dalzell, had also been penalized for a high shot moments earlier that didn’t earn any further punishment.
Concussion is something Hooper is particularly cognizant of.
It’s also understood the Wallabies are being belted on the training field.
It is unclear when Hooper will next play. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Numerous sources, including at Rugby Australia, have also raised questions about the strength and conditioning methods being used under Dean Benton.
Questions have arisen after a number of players have suffered injuries at training in recent months.
There is a belief that the current group needs to be whipped into shape because they are not up to Test match standards.
For now Hooper, who arrived back in Australia on Sunday, is expected to rest and spend time with his family.
No timeframe has been given when the No.7 will next play.
Sources believe he will miss the home Tests against the Springboks.
Fortunately the Wallabies have discovered they can play without Hooper and succeed.
But they might have learned too that humans are not machines.
Tariq Sims’ time at the Dragons appears to be over with the second rower looking at a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines for a high shot on Connor Tracey.
NRL referee Ashley Klein has been blasted as “gutless” for failing to send off Sims after the Dragons enforcer knocked out the Sharks winger in their 24-18 loss on Saturday.
Tracey’s game ended after just 12 minutes after running the ball out of his own half when Andrew McCullough took his legs and Sims came over the top.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Sims’ shoulder caught Tracey flush on the jaw the Sharks winger appeared to be unconscious before he hit the ground.
Sims immediately called for Tracey to be helped by trainers and he looked visibly uncomfortable as the Cronulla star was being treated by medical staff.
The game was held up for more than five minutes as Tracey was placed onto a stretcher and driven off the field.
Sims has been charged with a grade three careless high tackle and given it is his third and subsequent offence, he is looking at four games on the sideline even with an early plea.
Should he fight the charge unsuccessfully, Sims will be banned for five matches.
Either way, it looks like Sims’ career at the Dragons is over, with the 32-year-old set to join the Melbourne Storm next season.
Tariq Sims tackles Sharks star Connor Tracey.Source: FOX SPORTS
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speaking on Fox League During commentary of Saturday’s game, experts questioned whether Sims should have even been allowed back on the field.
“Oh, there’s a hit here that is going to get the attention of the bunker and it’s Connor Tracey. That had the concern of the Dragons players as well,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.
“I think he knows he’s about to be punished but also some concern for the player he struck. We’re not seeing Connor Tracey again tonight.”
Sims was binned which several commentators deemed fortunate for the 32-year-old leaving the club at the end of the season.
“That was the best case scenario for the Dragons,” Ginnane said.
ABC Grandstand commentator Andrew Moore exploded at Klein while Sims was in the bin.
“That is a gutless decision, and is not in the best interest of the game. I find that absolutely disgusting,” Moore said.
Sims showed plenty of remorse and Tracey was soon back up and walking in the sheds.
“Some good news on Connor Tracey’s welfare, he’s up and about in the sheds… but obviously will not be back tonight,” Fox League sideline reporter Lara Pitt said in the 22nd minute.
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In other match review committee news, Panthers front rower James Fisher-Harris is looking at a minimum of two weeks on the sideline for a high shot on Joseph Tapine.
Fisher-Harris was charged with a grade three careless high tackle and faces three weeks out should he fight the ruling and be found guilty at the panel.
The Panthers are set to play the Storm and Rabbitohs in the next fortnight and are already without halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Raiders winger Nick Cotric is also set for a stint on the sideline for his careless high tackle on Dylan Edwards, facing one game out if he takes the early plea.
Like Fisher-Harris, Cotric was sent to the sin bin for his high shot and is looking at two weeks should he fight the charge and be found guilty at the panel.
Raiders team mate tapine was also charged for a grade one crusher tackle but will escape with a fine if he takes the early plea.
Tariq Sims’ time at the Dragons appears to be over with the second rower looking at a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines for a high shot on Connor Tracey.
NRL referee Ashley Klein has been blasted as “gutless” for failing to send off Sims after the Dragons enforcer knocked out the Sharks winger in their 24-18 loss on Saturday.
Tracey’s game ended after just 12 minutes after running the ball out of his own half when Andrew McCullough took his legs and Sims came over the top.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Sims’ shoulder caught Tracey flush on the jaw the Sharks winger appeared to be unconscious before he hit the ground.
Sims immediately called for Tracey to be helped by trainers and he looked visibly uncomfortable as the Cronulla star was being treated by medical staff.
The game was held up for more than five minutes as Tracey was placed onto a stretcher and driven off the field.
Sims has been charged with a grade three careless high tackle and given it is his third and subsequent offence, he is looking at four games on the sideline even with an early plea.
Should he fight the charge unsuccessfully, Sims will be banned for five matches.
Either way, it looks like Sims’ career at the Dragons is over, with the 32-year-old set to join the Melbourne Storm next season.
Tariq Sims tackles Sharks star Connor Tracey.Source: FOX SPORTS
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speaking on Fox League During commentary of Saturday’s game, experts questioned whether Sims should have even been allowed back on the field.
“Oh, there’s a hit here that is going to get the attention of the bunker and it’s Connor Tracey. That had the concern of the Dragons players as well,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.
“I think he knows he’s about to be punished but also some concern for the player he struck. We’re not seeing Connor Tracey again tonight.”
Sims was binned which several commentators deemed fortunate for the 32-year-old leaving the club at the end of the season.
“That was the best case scenario for the Dragons,” Ginnane said.
ABC Grandstand commentator Andrew Moore exploded at Klein while Sims was in the bin.
“That is a gutless decision, and is not in the best interest of the game. I find that absolutely disgusting,” Moore said.
Sims showed plenty of remorse and Tracey was soon back up and walking in the sheds.
“Some good news on Connor Tracey’s welfare, he’s up and about in the sheds… but obviously will not be back tonight,” Fox League sideline reporter Lara Pitt said in the 22nd minute.
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In other match review committee news, Panthers front rower James Fisher-Harris is looking at a minimum of two weeks on the sideline for a high shot on Joseph Tapine.
Fisher-Harris was charged with a grade three careless high tackle and faces three weeks out should he fight the ruling and be found guilty at the panel.
The Panthers are set to play the Storm and Rabbitohs in the next fortnight and are already without halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Raiders winger Nick Cotric is also set for a stint on the sideline for his careless high tackle on Dylan Edwards, facing one game out if he takes the early plea.
Like Fisher-Harris, Cotric was sent to the sin bin for his high shot and is looking at two weeks should he fight the charge and be found guilty at the panel.
Raiders team mate tapine was also charged for a grade one crusher tackle but will escape with a fine if he takes the early plea.
South Africa has defeated New Zealand 26-10 on Sunday morning AEST in the Rugby Championship opener in Mbombela, adding to the woes of the embattled All Blacks.
New Zealand flew to South Africa having lost four of their previous five matches amid calls for coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cane to be sacked.
Foster and Cane will now know that another defeat to the arch foes when the teams clash again next Saturday in Johannesburg will almost certainly spell the end for both of them.
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The ferocity of the Springboks constantly unsettled the All Blacks, who were lucky to trail only 10-3 at halftime having been outplayed in the opening 40 minutes.
New Zealand did win more possession in the second half but basic errors cost them and their only try, from replacement loose forward Shannon Frizell, arrived when South Africa were reduced to 14 men.
Winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, scorer of the first South African try, was red-carded on 75 minutes after fouling airborne fly-half Beauden Barrett.
“It was exactly what we wanted. We wanted to be upfront,” said South Africa captain and flanker Siya Kolisi.
“Our high balls were good. We did all the things we wanted to do. We made the tackles, we know how dangerous they can be. They have a couple of players who can break the game open at any time.”
Under-fire Cane said: “A lot of credit has to go to the Springboks, especially the way they played in the first half. They threw a heck of a lot at us. We did well to absorb that but it took a lot out of us.
“They are extremely good at applying pressure. Their kicking game was good, they probably won that as well.”
South African hooker Malcolm Marx was warmly greeted by the sellout 42,367 crowd in recognition of him winning his 50th cap when he ran on to the field ahead of his teammates in the northeastern city.
There was a dramatic start to the southern hemisphere championship opener with Springboks scrum-half Faf de Klerk knocked out after his head struck the knee of All Blacks wing Caleb Clarke.
De Klerk had to be stretched off, but received lengthy applause when he appeared on the sideline midway through the opening half having failed a head injury assessment test.
Inexperienced Jaden Hendrikse, who debuted in a home series against Wales last month, replaced de Klerk just 43 seconds into the match.
Fired-up South Africa dominated early possession and territory and went ahead on eight minutes when Arendse scored his first try for the reigning world champions in only his second appearance.
The New Zealand defense failed to grasp a lofted kick from fly-half Handre Pollard and center Lukhanyo Am fed Arendse, who raced over the tryline.
Unpredictable goal-kicker Pollard did well to convert from the touchline and increased the lead to 10 points on 22 minutes by slotting a close-range penalty.
There was a sudden change of momentum as halftime approached with New Zealand, helped by a steadier scrum, awarded four penalties in quick succession.
Fullback Jordie Barrett, one of three brothers in the All Blacks starting line-up, converted one of the penalties on 36 minutes to narrow the gap to seven points and it remained 10-3 until halftime.
In the build-up to the match, Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber had emphasized the need to translate dominance into points and will have been disappointed that his team were only seven points in front.
He would have been thrilled with the performance of Marx, though, as the Japan-based front-rower won several turnovers and figured constantly in assaults on the All Blacks.
In the second half, Pollard kicked two penalties and a drop goal to give the home team a 19-3 lead before both teams scored late tries.
Frizell dived over in the corner and fellow substitute Richie Mo’unga converted, then replacement back Willie le Roux scored beside the post and Pollard converted for a personal tally of 16 points.
There are fears for the safety of a severely disabled child after an application for him to bypass the town’s only high school due to student violence was rejected.
Key points:
A young boy with a severe disability is required to attend a “violent” high school
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell visited Walgett to discuss the school
Walgett Community College has ongoing issues with fights on campus
Walgett resident Xander McKenzie, 12, has hydrocephalus, a condition that means he is tube-fed, in a wheelchair and has a shunt in his brain.
His mother, Kylie McKenzie, formally asked him to stay at the local primary school for another year but the NSW Department of Education denied her application.
He is now required to start at Walgett Community College in 2023.
But Ms McKenzie said her son would be too vulnerable and said Xander’s therapists agreed.
“We’ve been to meetings here before and chairs and tables have come flying over from the second level,” Ms McKenzie said.
“He can’t get out of the way. One knock anywhere between his head and his stomach where he has a shunt place could be life-threatening.”
‘Let common sense prevail’
Walgett is a town already devoid of education options due to its isolated location, almost 300 kilometers away from the nearest inland city, Dubbo.
Zoning regulations dictate children can only attend either of two local primary schools and the only secondary school, which has been plagued with violence.
Ms McKenzie was informed Department of Education guidelines dictated her son had to move to the high school because of his age.
“The Department of Education looks at all disabled children the same,” she said.
kylie mckenzie [C] says she fears for her son’s safety if he is forced to attend Walgett’s only high school.(ABC News: Olivia Ralph)
Ms McKenzie said it had taken years for Xander to get assistance with staff and modifications to which he now had access.
“We’d like to keep Xander where he is, where he’s happy,” she said.
“The education department has spent a fortune in the last 12 months on provisions at the primary school for him and now they’re telling us he can’t stay.”
She attended a protest during the NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell’s visit to Walgett yesterday after not receiving a response to requests for help.
“Let common sense prevail,” Ms. McKenzie said.
“He has a mental age of three years old.”
Big sister’s fears
Xander’s older sister Anicia left Walgett Community College last year after she was assaulted twice at the school, moving away from her family to attend school in central Queensland.
“As his sister who went through trauma here and suffers [poor] mental health from this school, I don’t want him — a vulnerable person with severe disabilities — to go to a school like this,” the 16-year-old said.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell speaks to protesters outside Walgett Community College.(ABC News: Olivia Ralph)
“If there’s a fight and he’s near that fight and gets bumped, I might not have a brother anymore.
“I want the minister to listen to how terrible the school has gotten over the years.”
Meeting with the minister
Education Minister Sarah Mitchell met Xander and spoke with his family when they attended the protest in Walgett.
“It’s now about me going to see what other things can we put in place for Xander, how can we make sure he’s supported,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I’ve already given an undertaking to his family that I will come back to them and work with him to see what options we’ve got, so Xander can continue to have great opportunities and get that love and support that he so clearly has from his family and from his community.”
Xander meets with Education Minister Sarah Mitchell.(Supplied: Kylie McKenzie)
She commended Anicia for advocating for her little brother.
“I was really impressed by how strong these young people were in their advocacy for their community, particularly in relation to Xander and to meet his sister, mother and grandmother,” she said.
“It was really wonderful for me to meet them and understand.”
Parents have confronted the NSW Education Minister during a visit to Walgett in the state’s north-west, asking for an intervention into long-term problems at the high school.
Key points:
Walgett Community College in north-west NSW has been plagued by serious problems
The NSW Education Minister visited the outback town to speak with stakeholders
Community members confronted the minister about their concerns about student wellbeing
The group, made up of parents and former students of Walgett Community College, say an independent investigation is critical to finally stop student violence and poor educational outcomes, as well as the constant turnover of principals and staff.
They held up signs with messages including “United Walgett stands, divided Walgett fails” and “Lack of knowledge, bypass this college.”
Community members also want changes to zoning rules to allow their children to attend other schools.
‘Viciously assaulted’ at school
Parent Lisa Smith became emotional as she told the ABC about her experiences at the outback school.
The parents called for an end to the Education Department’s Connected Communities program.(ABC News: Olivia Ralph)
She said her 13-year-old daughter had been “viciously assaulted in the schoolyard by another child” before a video of the incident was posted on social media.
Ms Smith said her other 14-year-old daughter’s mental health has suffered severely after attending the school, and that she was “heartbroken” after being forced to send her seven hours away to be educated elsewhere.
“We went to visit family … and my 14-year-old told me if I bring her back to this school she will hurt herself or kill herself,” she said.
“I now don’t have my daughter in my care because she cannot go to school here.”
She felt her children were not safe at the high school, and wanted urgent support for Walgett children.
“The majority of people in this town send their children to boarding school because they can’t risk their children’s safety,” Ms Smith said.
“I am over being told my daughter is resilient. I know she is.
“She shouldn’t have to be resilient to attend school and get an education. When is this going to stop?”
Videos of students fighting at Walgett Community College have been circulated on social media.(Supplied)
Low enrollment numbers
More than 5,000 people live in the Walgett local government area in the state’s north-west but only 119 enrolled at the high school last year.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell speaks to protesters outside Walgett Community College.(ABC News: Olivia Ralph)
Only 3 per cent of those students attended school at least 90 per cent of the time, and just four students completed Year 12 in 2020.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell held a closed meeting with Department of Education staff and stakeholders Wednesday evening, which was followed by a meeting with four community members.
Ms Mitchell spoke with the small group of protesters outside the school about their concerns and planned to meet with police and the local council today.
Going to school ‘traumatic’
Former student Felicity Forbes attended the community meeting to tell the minister what it was like to live through a “lockdown” triggered by violence at Walgett Community College.
Former Walgett student Felicity Forbes says she wants the cycle of violence she experienced to stop.(ABC News: Olivia Ralph)
The 16-year-old has been studying at home via distance education after leaving the school due to the negative impact on her mental health.
“Within the first week of Year 7, I experienced my first panic attack,” Felicity said.
“A student grabbed a stick and smashed through glass to get to another student.”
The student spoke to Ms Mitchell directly at the protest, asking her to let her travel the 150-kilometre round trip to attend high school at Lightning Ridge, after her application was rejected in May.
“Studying at home is isolating,” she told the ABC afterwards.
“I’ve definitely fallen into some kind of depression a couple of times because I’m not talking to anyone.
“I’m alone by myself. I’ve lost connection with all my friends.”
Bec Trindall says her daughter Felicity still suffers from anxiety and depression after attending Walgett.(ABC News: Olivia Ralph)
Felicity added that she and her sister could not do the work they were given when first starting distance education “because it was stuff we haven’t even learned because this school hasn’t taught us”.
The teenager said children deserved to feel safe at school.
“No kid should go through this on an almost daily basis because that’s just traumatic,” Felicity said.
“You don’t want to put any fear in a kid that they could be hurt.”
Minister gives reassurances
Minister Sarah Mitchell reassured the community that she was invested in their children’s future, and came to talk to them directly so she could understand the issues.
“I know there’s a long history at the school,” she said.
“I know there’s many views in the community about what’s working and what’s not working.”
Traumatized students are leaving school to learn from home or leave town altogether.(ABC Western Plains: Lucy Thackray)
Strengthening TAFE’s partnership with the school to improve employment prospects and student engagement was among options the minister was exploring.
“I’ll be catching up with some of my colleagues about my visit next week and thinking about how we can make some of the things people are asking for come to a fruition,” Ms Mitchell said.
“I certainly gave an undertaking to everybody I caught up with yesterday that we’ll be back in touch and continue to work with them and see what we can do in terms of some of the improvement and suggestions put forward.”
The protesters wait outside Walgett Community College as the minister meets stakeholders inside.(ABC News: Olivia Ralph)
