North Queensland Cowboys great Johnathan Thurston flew back home to be with his family after he was left “absolutely devastated” by the news that his former coach, Paul Green, had died aged 49.
Key points:
Johnathan Thurston was due to appear on Nine’s Thursday night football coverage, but instead flew home to be with his family
The Cowboys play the Roosters in Sydney on Saturday night
A minute’s silence is being held before every NRL game this round
On Channel Nine’s coverage of the Panthers-Storm game in Penrith on Thursday night, Thurston, the co-captain and Clive Churchill medalist of Green’s premiership-winning Cowboys side, was absent.
After hearing the news of Green’s death, Cameron Smith said he spent a few hours with Thurston in Sydney on Thursday afternoon before his friend, colleague and former Maroons teammate returned home to be with his family and his beloved North Queensland community.
“[Thurston] was absolutely devastated, as were many of the players and his teammates in that Cowboys outfit led by Paul Green,” Smith said.
“We just want to send our best wishes to all those players and particularly our mate JT. We feel for you, as the entire rugby league community do.
“For everyone that was involved with Paul Green and his family, we wish you all the very best.”
Many other Cowboys premiership players posted messages of sadness on social media, including Michael Morgan, John Asiata and Ben Hannant.
A minute’s silence was observed before Thursday’s game at Penrith Stadium and others will be held before every NRL game this round.
A minute’s silence was held before the Panthers vs. Storm game on Thursday night, just hours after news of Green’s death emerged.(Getty: Cameron Spencer)
Cowboys coach reflects on opportunities Green gave him
North Queensland plays the Roosters in Sydney on Saturday afternoon.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten said the club had to “put our arms around each other” after a difficult 24 hours.
“It’s a good reminder of how fortunate we are to do what we are able to do,” he said.
“We would like to perform well in Paul’s honour.”
Payten served as North Queensland’s under-20s coach and an assistant to Green for the 2015 premiership season.
“He gave me an opportunity to bring my family up here when I didn’t have a job,” Payten said.
“He made me a better coach in many different ways [and] he certainly challenged everyone around him to be better. He was a good person.
“He is always going to be the coach of our maiden premiership. He will be etched in our history books, he has had a significant contribution to our club, and he is going to be sorely missed.”
A shocked Mat Rogers says his former rugby league teammate, Paul Green, will be remembered as an “incredible competitor” who never took a backward step.
Key points:
Mat Rogers spent time with Paul Green last weekend
The pair played together for Cronulla and Queensland
He described Green as a “really good block”
The rugby league world is in mourning following the sudden death of 49-year-old Green, who represented Queensland in State of Origin and was a premiership-winning coach.
Rogers spent the past weekend in Sydney with Green at a Cronulla players reunion, with the pair having been teammates at the Sharks for three seasons since 1995.
They were roommates in the Queensland Super League representative team in 1997, before spending two years together in the Maroons State of Origin side.
Paul Green represented Queensland in State of Origin.(Getty Images: Darren England)
Green later enjoyed a successful coaching career, guiding North Queensland to its first NRL premiership in 2015.
Rogers said he and Green played golf and then sat next to each other to watch the Sharks beat St George Illawarra on Saturday night.
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“It was great — we played golf on Friday together and spent time at the reunion together,” Rogers said.
“He was telling me about the new boat he’d just bought for the family and I was looking forward to going for a ride.
“I can’t believe he’s gone… it makes me appreciate that time I got to spend with him.”
Rogers said half-back Green — who stood at just 167 centimeters tall — played well above his diminutive size.
“We played together for years and he was just an incredible competitor,” Rogers said.
“There was nothing of him and he just never took a backward step.”
Rogers said Green had been a sounding board for him recently as he set up his new player management business, while the father-of-two was also an ear for others who needed advice.
“He’s just been helpful with a lot of our young players and, out of the football world, I know other guys have had their troubles and he’s been there for them,” Rogers said.
“He’s just a loved guy, a really good bloke.”
Rogers said Green harbored ambitions to return to coaching in the NRL, having been in charge of the Cowboys until midway through the 2020 season.
He was linked to an assistant position at NRL newcomers the Dolphins, as well as other head coaching roles.
“He had a lot of ambition to continue on, in the NRL path,” Rogers said.
“He’s proven to be a great coach and he still had plenty of years left in him at that level but, unfortunately, we’re never going to see it, which is really sad.”
Another former Sharks teammate, Martin Lang, paid tribute to Green on Twitter.
“This is so sad. Paul was a close mate. We moved to Sydney together in 1993 … the beginning of an outstanding NRL playing/coaching career,” Lang wrote.
“My sincere condolences to Paul’s wife, children and his dear mum and dad.
“Rest In Peace mate.”
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Green moved to the Sharks in 1994 after a stint with Easts Tigers (now Brisbane Tigers) in the then-Brisbane Rugby League.
He won the now-defunct Rothmans Medal — the NSWRL/ARL best and fairest award — in 1995 and, two years later, was a member of the Sharks’ side that reached the Super League grand final.
Green represented Australia during the only season of Super League in 1997.
After leaving the Sharks following the inaugural NRL season in 1998, Green played with North Queensland, the Sydney Roosters, Parramatta and Brisbane Broncos before retiring in 2004.
Green then went into coaching, winning back-to-back Queensland Cup titles with Wynnum Manly in 2011 and 2012.
He joined Trent Robinson’s coaching staff at the Roosters in their 2013 premiership season, before replacing Neil Henry as Cowboys head coach the following year.
Green coached Queensland in the 2021 State of Origin series, losing 2-1 to NSW.
Cameron Munster’s fullback experiment has catapulted Melbourne back into NRL premiership calculations after the Storm held out ladder leaders Penrith to win 16-0 at Panthers Stadium.
Playing at the back for a second week, Munster again starred to help the Storm make their case for an eighth straight season in the NRL’s top four.
It came as Penrith’s title defense took another hit, with Liam Martin suffering suspected ankle syndesmosis and Moses Leota hurting his calf to add to their lengthy injury list.
The Panthers are far from panicking, given they sit well clear at the top and were without Nathan Cleary, Jarome Luai, Dylan Edwards and James Fisher-Harris on Thursday night.
But the Storm are a team clearly back in their groove after losing four straight games last month.
Missing Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jahrome Hughes and Felise Kaufusi themselves, they withstood more than 40 play-the-balls in their own 20-meter zone.
Time and time again they turned the Panthers away, becoming the first team to hold Penrith scoreless since way back in June 2015.
Team stats
The win moved them two points clear of fifth-placed Parramatta and well above them on for-and-against, with the chasing pack one win further back.
Melbourne have to play Brisbane, the Sydney Roosters and Eels on the run home, but now look as if they are ready to match it with any of the trio.
Regular playmaker Munster was again crucial, and must now surely be an option to finish the season as the Storm’s No.1 after scoring a hat-trick there last week.
He was just as influential in defense as he was in attack, despite not playing at the back consistently since the Storm’s run to the 2016 grand final.
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With Penrith dominating the ball in the second half, he pulled off a crucial try-saver on Brian To’o early on to keep Melbourne’s lead at 16-0.
From the next set he was able to swing the momentum in the Storm’s favour, breaking down the field to put them on the attack.
The 27-year-old also had a role to play in the Storm’s first try.
Given the freedom to roam at the back, Munster went shortside after a scoreless opening 18 minutes and helped put Justin Olam onto the attack before the center kicked back for Nick Meaney to score.
Brandon Smith went over from the next set, busting through Martin and Leota from the halfway line to make it 12-0.
Late season recruit David Nofoaluma got Melbourne’s third try after a nice Jesse Bromwich offload just before the break, before the Storm held on through a scoreless second half.
Former Queensland State of Origin coach and rugby league star Paul Green has died aged 49.
Key points:
His family are “devastated”, saying they had lost a “devoted husband, loving rather and wonderful brother and son”
Players and NRL clubs have paid tribute to Green, who spent a decade playing at the top level
He has been remembered as a brilliant player and “a passionate, smart and witty individual
The Green family released a statement on Thursday afternoon, saying they were “devastated.”
“We have lost a devoted husband, loving father and wonderful brother and son,” the statement said.
“We cannot find the words that would come close to expressing our feelings, 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.”
Green is survived by his wife Amanda and children Emerson and Jed. It’s been confirmed he took his own life from him.
Paul Green with his family.(Supplied)
Police said they were called to a Wynnum residence just after 10am this morning after a 49-year-old male was located unresponsive.
He was declared deceased by emergency crews a short time later.
Police said there were no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Green played more than 100 NRL games, debuting with the Cronulla Sharks in 1994 before moving to the North Queensland Cowboys in 1999.
The quick-thinking and gritty half-back went on to play stints at the Roosters, Eels and Broncos, and represented the Maroons 10 times.
He played for Australia twice during the Super League era, and also led the Sharks to the Super League grand final in 1997, where they lost to the Broncos.
After finishing his playing career in Brisbane in 2004, Green immediately moved into an assistant role with the Broncos, and had stints in the Queensland Cup with Wynnum Manly, before leading the Roosters’s under-20s to the preliminary finals in 2013.
He got his first NRL head coaching gig the following year when he took over from Neil Henry at the North Queensland Cowboys.
I have coached the Cowboys for 167 games over a six-year period and the Queensland side in the 2021 State of Origin series.
Green’s greatest achievement in rugby league was coaching the Cowboys to their first title.(Getty: Anthony Au Yeung)
Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay paid tribute to Green’s decorated history with the club and the impact he made.
“Paul first came to our club as a player in the late 90s and was the club’s first Origin representative, but his lasting legacy emanated from his seven-season tenure as head coach of the North Queensland Cowboys,” Mr Ramsey said.
“Paul’s arrival as head coach transformed our club from finals contenders to an immediate premiership force, culminating in the historic 2015 Grand Final victory.
“We will forever remember Paul as one of the greatest contributors in Cowboys history.”
Green’s former teammate at Cronulla, Martin Lang, paid tribute to his friend on Twitter.
“This is so sad. Paul was a close mate, we moved to Sydney together in 1993… the beginning of an outstanding NRL playing/coaching career.
“My sincere condolences to Paul’s wife, children and his dear mum and dad.
“Rest In Peace mate.”
‘Smart, witty singles’
Paul Green played 10 times for Queensland.(Getty: Darren England)
Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman Peter V’landys called Green “a brilliant player” in a statement released by the NRL.
“Throughout his career had a reputation as a halfback who was as tough as he was skilful. Paul was rewarded with the Rothmans Medal in 1995,” V’landys said.
“As a coach he led the North Queensland Cowboys to one of the most famous grand final victories of all time – against Brisbane Broncos in 2015.
“He represented Queensland and Australia as a player, and only last year coached the Maroons in the State of Origin series.
“I had the pleasure of sitting on the NRL Competition Committee and found Paul to be a passionate, smart and witty individual. Our condolences go to his family and to his many friends.”
Paul Green coached the Queensland Maroons in 2021.(Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the league was “deeply saddened” and extended “deepest condolences to Paul’s family, his friends, and those who have been inspired and mentored by him over the course of his long career.”
Former NRL boss Todd Greenberg said he was “so sad” to hear of Green’s death.
“I enjoyed some time with him recently and he was in great spirits and looking forward to the next phase of his life. Tragic news. Sending love and best wishes to his family,” Greenberg said.
Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher said Green is “sadly missed”.
“I’d say he’s left an indelible mark across Queensland, with the players he’s coached, the young boys that he grew into young men,” he said.
Former assistant coach, clubs pay tribute
Former assistant coach to Green, Josh Hannay, said he was “shocked and devastated” to hear of his death just five days after they caught up at a Cronulla Sharks reunion.
“We had a good chat, we spoke about the future, and how much he was looking forward to what was in store for himself professionally,” Hannay said.
“It’s just devastating.”
Hannay said Green seemed healthy and was in “good spirits” at the weekend.
“He was his normal self, the life of the party, he had a good day catching up with old friends,” he said.
Paul Green had coached the North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland State of Origin side.(AAP: Cameron Laird)
Wests Tigers half-back Jackson Hastings said on Twitter: “Can’t believe the Paul Green news this morning. Achieved it all as a player and coach still had so much to give, taken way to soon. Thoughts and prayers with family and friends .Makes you realize to take nothing for granted.RIP.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was “shocked and saddened” by the footballer’s death.
“Deepest condolences to his friends and family,” she tweeted.
Opposition leader David Crisafulli, who was previously the member for Mundingburra in North Queensland, said Green was a “Maroon through and through.”
“He was a wonderful player but his greatest achievement came as a coach when he guided the Cowboys to a maiden premiership in 2015,” he said on Twitter.
Numerous NRL clubs paid tribute to Green, who spent a decade playing at the top level.
Green’s legacy as the first coach to take the Cowboys to premiership glory would follow him even as he farewelled the club in 2020.
With two grand finals and a long-awaited trophy under his belt, the question was always going to be ‘what’s next?’
For Green, it was the Broncos.
The powerhouse club had let Anthony Seibold go, and for many, Green was the natural man to step into the seat. Experienced, respected, and a Broncos Old Boy to boot.
And while his interview was reportedly exceptional, Kevin Walters stood fair and square in his way.
“Look, I was disappointed to miss out on the Broncos,” he told The Courier-Mail’s Peter Badel.
“But I knew the situation I was walking into. I knew what ‘Kevvie’ brought to the job and I knew what I brought to the job.
“There’s no ill-feeling at all towards the Broncos at all.”
Instead, Green would take the head coach role at the Maroons, in what would be a transition period between the old and the new as the rep team moved from Wayne Bennett, to Green, and eventually to Billy Slater.
It was a brutal result, with a dominant Blues outfit getting the job done in the first two games.
Green would however go on to claim Origin III, and mark himself in the record books as one of only 13 men to coach the mighty Maroons.
Jake Turpin is out in the cold after the Broncos confirmed he will not be at the club next season, while a potential suitor has denied they are interested in his services.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are set to give Kobe Hetherington a pay rise in a bid to ward off NRL rivals and Eels star Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union.
Read on for all the latest NRL Transfer Whispers.
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BRONCOS HOOKER IN NRL WILDERNESS
Jake Turpin is out in the cold after the Broncos confirmed he will not be at the club next season, while the Knights have denied they are interested in his services.
Newscorp reported Turpin will not be at the Broncos next season, while the Knights have denied they will make a play to lure him to the Hunter.
The Broncos are set to invest in incumbents Billy Walters and Cory Paix as well as rising rookie Blake Mozer as their dummyhalf options moving forward.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters confirmed Turpin is not in the club’s long-term plans and will not be offered a new deal in 2022.
“At the moment, there is nothing for Jake with us for next year unfortunately,” Walters told Newscorp.
“The reality is it was going to be hard to keep Jake.
“We have Billy (Walters) and Cory Paix in our squad at the moment, so as much as you would love to keep all your players, with the salary-cap it’s difficult.
Payten opens up on time with Cowboys | 06:27
“’Turps’ has played some great games for the Broncos, and he is good at those little effort areas, particularly in defense, but with our roster, we don’t have any spots left for the hooker position.”
Knights Director of Football Peter Parr poured cold water on reports Newcastle will target Turpin as a back-up to Jayden Brailey.
“He is a wholehearted player but his name hasn’t been mentioned to me at all (by recruitment manager Clint Zammit), so we have no plans to sign him” Parr said.
The 25-year-old has scored four tries in 56 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2018 and won the club’s most consistent player award just last season.
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Jake Turpin is on the lookout for a new club.Source: Getty Images
EELS STAR OPEN TO CODE SWITCH
Eels young gun Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union in the future as the club looks to lock him to a long-term extension.
Newscorp reported Penisini, who played the rival code at school with Roosters star Joseph Suaalii at Kings College, hasn’t shut the door on a potential move to the 15-man game in the future.
“I’m not closing the door on rugby union,” Penisini told News Corp.
“Right now, I am content with where I am at Parramatta and I’m loving rugby league at the moment. I am just at the start of my career and I want to build my game and focus on playing consistent footy for Parramatta and try not to look too far ahead about the decision between rugby league or rugby union.”
The Eels are already trying to extend Penisini beyond his current deal, which expires in 2023.
The 20-year-old center has scored seven tries in 25 games for the Eels since his debut in 2021 and has already played one Test for Tonga, who he is likely to feature for at the World Cup.
Will Penisini is open to a switch to rugby union.Source: Getty Images
BRONCOS UP OFFER TO YOUNG GUN AS RIVALS CIRCLE
Broncos lock Kobe Hetherington is set for a massive pay rise as Brisbane aim to ward off approaches from rival clubs for his services.
Newscorp reported Hetherington is set to earn a pay rise of $200,000 a year as the club aims to lock him up on a two-year extension.
However, it is believed Hetherington, who is starting for Brisbane in the absence of the suspended Patrick Carrigan, could command upwards of $300,000 on the open market.
Hetherington is a versatile forward who can cover back row, front row and hooker, with no shortage of clubs keen on a player of his ability.
The 23-year-old has scored three tries in 33 games for the Broncos since his debut in 2021 and has been a mainstay of Kevin Walters’ pack rotation this season.
Kobe Hetherington is set for a pay rise.Source: Getty Images
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Cowboys coach Todd Payten has made a startling admission about young gun Tom Dearden, revealing the rising playmaker was a “shell of a person” when he arrived at the club.
Dearden, 21, was once heralded as a star of the future at the Brisbane Broncos before he reportedly fell out of favor with head coach Kevin Walters.
The five-eighth signed with rivals North Queensland on a three-year deal, and was later a granted a mid-season transfer.
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Papali’i to backflip on $1.9m & Tigers? | 07:26
Both clubs were struggling towards the bottom of the ladder, with the Broncos having claimed the wooden spoon for the first time in their history the season before.
While Dearden insisted that his confidence hadn’t taken a hit by how things turned out at the Broncos, coach Payten has now revealed he saw things differently.
“He was a shell of a person, I’ve got to say,” Payten told Matty Johns on Fox League’s face to face
“He was nervous and second guessing himself, whether it was on or off the pitch.
“What I did like about him was the way he trained. He’s super competitive, he’s really professional, and playing footy means something to him.
Tom Trbojevic reveals World Cup doubts | 01:12
“He’s wanted to play NRL since he was a kid and you can see that in the way he goes about it.”
North Queensland took a backwards step in 2021 and finished a place behind the Broncos in 15th.
But a stellar pre-season, with Dearden among the standouts, has thrust the club into premiership contention this year.
Payten said while the senior players helped lead the team throughout the successful pre-season, younger players including Dearden, Reuben Cotter and Tom Gilbert also impressed.
These players helped the Cowboys learn from their mistakes, as they trained by practicing things that “they weren’t expecting”.
“They train hard, everyone trains hard so that’s a given. Through our review, I’m talking about the coaches review… we watched all of the tries that we’d conceded which was not fun to view,” Payten said.
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“A lot of those, I think about 60 per cent of those would come from missed tackles that should’ve been made or guys not competing enough.
“We conceded the most tries from kicks in the competition and that affected our headspace in games. We’d defend two sets and then from a guy not getting their job done or someone not competing hard enough, we’d conceded a try.
“As soon as something upset the rhythm or went against them, we didn’t have the mental or physical capacity to get on with the job.
“(We had to) just build around upsetting rhythm in different ways. Doing things that they weren’t expecting to do at different times and causing a little bit of chaos and seeing how they handled it.
“We got better as the preseason went on.”
Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom DeardenSource: Supplied
Dearden has reaped the rewards of the Cowboys’ successful season, as they currently sit in second behind the Panthers, by making his Origin debut for Queensland.
The up-and-comer announced himself on one of the game’s biggest stages, as he helped inspire his state to win in the decider at Suncorp Stadium.
An Ipswich Jets and Queensland Cup cult hero — and Melbourne Storm triallist — has died suddenly in Queensland, aged 28 years.
WARNING: Readers are advised that this story contains the name and images of an Indigenous sportsman who has died.
Key points:
Former Ipswich Jets standout Michael Purcell has died, aged 28, after a car crash in Brisbane
The fleet-footed Queensland Cup cult hero was known as “The Kangaroo Catcher”
Purcell was counted as one of the fastest players in Queensland during his time with Ipswich Jets and Brisbane Tigers
Michael Purcell — who was also known as “The Kangaroo Catcher” during his time at the Jets — died on Sunday after a car crash in Brisbane.
Tributes have flowed for the popular winger, who scored 68 tries in 82 games for the Jets and Easts Tigers.
“We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of former Suzuki Brisbane Tigers Hostplus Cup player Michael Purcell, also known as ‘the Kangaroo Catcher’,” the Tigers said in a statement.
“Purcey, 28-years young, was Tigers player no. 1,344 and played nine games for the Tigers across the 2020 and 2021 Hostplus Cup seasons before being a part of Bulimba Bulldogs BRL Premier Grade squad in 2022.
“Thoughts and prayers are with Purcey’s family, friends, those he played with at the Tigers, Bulimba Bulldogs, Brothers, Ipswich Jets and the wider rugby league community.”
Purcell’s exploits led to him spending a pre-season with the Storm in 2021 before he returned to Queensland.
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“Sending our deepest condolences to the family of Michael Purcell after his sudden passing,” the Storm said in a statement.
“Michael spent time with us during the pre-season of 2021 and also featured in our Albury trial.
“Our thoughts are with Purcey’s family and friends during this time.”
A serious knee problem had limited Purcell to one appearance this season — he made his return from injury with Brisbane A-grade club Bulimba.
At his best, Purcell was counted as one of the fastest players in Queensland, with his nickname coming from a story where he supposedly raced down a kangaroo in a cross-country race.
He also ran the New York Marathon in 2011 as part of athletics legend Robert de Castella’s Marathon Project.
Rugby league’s no-fault stand-down rule has come under fire once again, with a lawyer for Michael Lichaa calling for it to be scrapped after it was revealed the ex-Bulldog was blocked from playing park football last year.
Mr Lichaa, 29, was forced to withdraw from the game he loves amid an 18-month legal battle to clear his name that culminated when a magistrate last week acquired him of domestic violence offences.
The former Lebanon international’s world was turned upside down in February last year when he was charged with a string of offenses after a late-night incident at his Connells Point home.
But it can now be revealed that Mr Lichaa was blocked from playing park footy after being charged when the NSWRL refused to register his contract.
The NRL in 2019 introduced its no-fault stand-down rule under which any player facing serious criminal charges, which carry a jail term of 11 years or more, is automatically sidelined.
The NSWRL adopted similar guidelines.
“The NSWRL did not register a contract for Michael Lichaa last season for bringing the game into disrepute after he was charged with several serious offences, including common assault and intimidation,” a NSWRL spokesman said.
“The NSWRL reviewed the situation this season and registered a contract for Lichaa.”
Mr Lichaa’s 113-game NRL career came to an end in 2019 when Canterbury did not offer him a contract for the following year.
He did not pick up a contract with a rival club and signed on to play for Cronulla Caringbah in the Sydney Shield in an effort to keep fit and in the hope of attracting a suitor.
However, his career was put on hold while he fought the charges after the NSWRL refused to register a contract.
Mr Lichaa was eventually found not guilty on Friday. His former partner of him declined to testify against him.
Mr Lichaa was acquitted of charges of common assault and intimidation, though he pleaded guilty to one charge of destruction of property after he punched a glass door.
The Sutherland Local Court was told last week that he had since retired from rugby league and was now working as a project manager.
Sam Saadat represented the former Cronulla and Canterbury hooker throughout the horror 18-month ordeal.
He said he understood the intent behind the no-fault rule but argued it hadn’t had the effect it was supposed to.
In the summer of 2018-19, the NRL was hit by a string of scandals – 17 incidents and allegations between September and mid-February – that prompted then ARLC chairman Peter Beattie to draft the rule.
But Mr Saadat, who is also heavily involved in rugby league and has coached at the Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters in the women’s and developmental ranks, said the rules needed a rethink.
“I understand where the NSWRL and NRL are coming from, but I think it needs to be revisited. If you look at the examples… almost every single one was acquitted,” he said.
“And as a result, if you look at the impact it’s had on their careers and mental health, I think the prejudice far outweighs the policy’s purpose.
“The game has a right to administer itself how it wants and the Federal Court found that when (Jack) de Belin challenged it. But I think they need to revisit that decision. We now have examples of where it hasn’t worked.”
Tristan Sailor, Dylan Walker and Tui Kamikamica were all stood down after being charged by police before either being found not guilty or having the charges dismissed.
De Belin did not play for the entirety of the 2019 and 2020 NRL seasons before he was allowed to return midway through last year when the Director of Public Prosecutions elected not to pursue a third sexual assault trial.
Two juries could not arrive at a verdict, though he and co-accused Callan Sinclair were found not guilty of one count following their second trial.
Manase Fainu is facing trial in the Parramatta District Court where he has pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and denied stabbing a church youth leader in the back.
Penrith’s Tyrone May was the only player stood down under the policy to be convicted.
May narrowly escaped jail after he pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent.
Mr Saadat called for the NRL to hold a conference between players, administrators and lawyers to look at the policy.
“The game is supposed to be a reflection of society,” he said.
“Legally, everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
“In this case even if it’s worded as a no-fault policy, it’s somewhat prejudicial. In people’s minds it creates an impression they must be guilty. I think it’s fundamentally unfair.”
Queensland rugby league has been rocked after one of the state’s star players tragically died at the age of 28.
Michael Purcell sadly lost his life on Sunday morning following a car crash in Brisbane.
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The star winger-fullback had played a total of 82 games for the Ipswich Jets and Brisbane Tigers, registering 68 tries and 22 goals.
Purcell, nicknamed “The Kangaroo Catcher” after he once was said to have chased down a kangaroo during a race, was one of the fastest players in Queensland.
His standout abilities on the field led to him receiving an NRL contract with the Melbourne Storm last year.
He joined the Storm for pre-season training before returning to Queensland and playing for the Brisbane Tigers in the Intrust Super Cup.
Purcell in full flight. Picture: Alix SweeneySource: News Corp Australia
His death has rocked the rugby league community with tributes flooding in following Sunday’s tragic crash.
“I am shattered, it’s so, so sad,” Purcell’s former coach at the Ipswich Jets in the Queensland Cup Ben Walker said to the Courier Mail.
“He was a really talented kid who definitely had the ability to play NRL.
“We got a tip about this kid playing reserve grade and his nickname was the ‘Kangaroo Catcher’ because the story went he was so fast he once chased down a kangaroo during a cross-country run in the bush.
“We signed him to the Ipswich Jets and he ended up scoring 66 tries in 71 games. He had incredible speed.”
