NRL ban Jack Wighton for 10 matches, impose $30,000 fine

Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 8, 2018, 5:47 pm

We've had varying reports on how bad the footage is, so im prepared for a wide range of possibilities. We're going to see once and for all what happened here

Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 8, 2018, 5:48 pm

Northern Raider wrote: ↑October 8, 2018, 2:22 pm NRL has handed down their punishment. Can't change that due to retrospective public outrage.

I wouldnt bet on that.

gerg · Post by **gerg** » October 8, 2018, 5:52 pm

Pigman wrote:
Northern Raider wrote: ↑October 8, 2018, 2:22 pm NRL has handed down their punishment. Can't change that due to retrospective public outrage.
I wouldnt bet on that.

Yeah there's plenty of evidence that the NRL is completely reactionary to public perception and social media pressure.

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Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 8, 2018, 5:58 pm

Our club isn't known for it's backbone in the face of public scrutiny either. I think it's unlikely that any further action would be taken by the NRL or Raiders, as others have said, they've apparently seen the footage and made the call that they did... But there is a limit to how much confidence i can have in that given the reactionary nature of both the Raiders and NRL.

If this video is really bad, it wouldnt shock me at all if further action was taken

nachopants · Post by **nachopants** » October 8, 2018, 5:58 pm

Not with Matt Lodge though

Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 8, 2018, 6:06 pm

nacho wrote: ↑October 8, 2018, 5:58 pm Not with Matt Lodge though

Yeah, that's a pretty fair retort.
Hard to imagine Wighton's video will be worse than his.

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » October 8, 2018, 6:08 pm

nacho wrote:Not with Matt Lodge though

Matt Lodge was sacked and spent two years out of the game. Yes it was a lot worse an action, but still punishment was harsh. And in my opinion he shouldn't be allowed back. But in saying that, Wighton should be sacked and punished accordingly also.

The act of physical, sexual or domestic violence toward anyone of any level should result in immediate termination of employment. The fact the Raiders stand by EDIT is one of the reasons why I refuse to pay for my memberships this coming season. It may not be much, but I cannot pay to support a club EDIT.

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BJ · Post by BJ » October 8, 2018, 6:56 pm

If Wighton cops more than a short stint of Weekend detention, then I think the NRL might add more to the suspension. But if no jail time is involved, I think they will see the ‘almost half a season’ as acceptable Punishment.

But agree with others that the NRL has no consistency in their rulings.

If Wighton just cops a fine and light suspended sentence, then you will have wonder if the NRL did the right thing in disregarding the Raiders 6 game self imposed sentence.

My guess is the entire back half of the season was about appropriate as a punishment. But if the footage includes coward punches and serious assault on unsuspecting victims.......

BadnMean · Post by **BadnMean** » October 8, 2018, 7:38 pm

The NRL has already handed down a punishment AFTER seeing the footage. They can't double dip him. They'll end up in court themselves if they try. They have a PR out over the large fine and suspension plus the old let the courts handle it. If the sky falls it won't be the NRL that pulled it down, it'll be the court / or the Raiders.

Green eyed Mick · Post by **Green eyed Mick** » October 8, 2018, 7:48 pm

The NRL have seen the footage so they know what to expect. The 24 hour news cycle will suck the life out of the story within a few days and it will be all but forgotten by round 1.

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » October 8, 2018, 7:53 pm

Let's hope not. His victims have to live with it. Jack should too. EDIT.

Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 8, 2018, 7:55 pm

Yeah in light of the Matt Lodge precedent im leaning that way now too.
The club would be able to apply quite a lot of leverage on the league by saying "You saw the footage, you made your call... if you want to double down, know that we'll be bringing Matt Lodge back into the public forum, and you guys dont want any part of that"

gangrenous · Post by **gangrenous** » October 8, 2018, 9:43 pm

I just wish the NRL would sack up and sack players with serious offences.

Lui_Bon · Post by **Lui_Bon** » October 8, 2018, 9:54 pm

I understand the footage will be released when he's due for sentencing - dunno if that means before, after or during. But it can surely only be footage of things that he's actually being sentenced FOR.

So if he's made any out-of-court settlements - that he therefore can't be sentenced for - footage of those incidents surely can't be released.

So whatever we see may still not be the whole story anyway. Anyone got a legal opinion?

Post by **greeneyed** » October 8, 2018, 9:58 pm

The story says it’ll be released after sentencing.

Bennyinthewest · Post by **Bennyinthewest** » October 8, 2018, 10:02 pm

EDIT.

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Johno · Post by **Johno** » October 8, 2018, 10:40 pm

If Jack gets home detention can we play our home games in his back yard?

BadnMean · Post by **BadnMean** » October 9, 2018, 1:05 am

Johno wrote: ↑October 8, 2018, 10:40 pm If Jack gets home detention can we play our home games in his back yard?

Great idea but it'd never get cleared. Jack's trampoline is almost as dangerous as a night out with him on the gas.

Roger Kenworthy · Post by **Roger Kenworthy** » October 9, 2018, 7:12 am

Does anyone else foresee a circumstance when Jack can only play on half the field because the other half is outside of his permitted travel from home and his ankle bracelet will go off?

edwahu · Post by **edwahu** » October 9, 2018, 10:12 am

Roger Kenworthy wrote: ↑October 9, 2018, 7:12 am Does anyone else foresee a circumstance when Jack can only play on half the field because the other half is outside of his permitted travel from home and his ankle bracelet will go off?

I imagine with our luck the zone will extend right to the try line.

Bay53 · Post by **Bay53** » October 9, 2018, 2:50 pm

He can’t make “out of court” settlements. This is a criminal court not a civil action.

Who he is going to make the out of court settlement with?

Lui_Bon · Post by **Lui_Bon** » October 9, 2018, 6:34 pm

Bay53 wrote: ↑October 9, 2018, 2:50 pm He can’t make “out of court” settlements. This is a criminal court not a civil action.

Who he is going to make the out of court settlement with?

IF he had agreed to pay off anyone he offended against, they may decide not to participate in a prosecution. Therefore not appearing in any criminal action, and therefore not being part of the footage. We'll see (or not, as the case may be).

Post by **dubby** » October 9, 2018, 6:47 pm

You speak like you've seen the footage

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Post by **dubby** » October 9, 2018, 6:50 pm

I doubt he's getting sentenced to prison.

Plenty of other NRL players with assault and DV charges (Greg Bird and glassing spring to mind), all played footy.

Russell Packer the only one incarcerated, and he stomped on someone's head.

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Johno · Post by **Johno** » October 9, 2018, 7:45 pm

dubby wrote: ↑October 9, 2018, 6:50 pm I doubt he's getting sentenced to prison.

Plenty of other NRL players with assault and DV charges (Greg Bird and glassing spring to mind), all played footy.

Russell Packer the only one incarcerated, and he stomped on someone's head.

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That Greg Bird story would have to be the worst if its true, absolutely terrible, and he played how many more games!

Riaan · Post by **Riaan** » October 9, 2018, 9:25 pm

We should be right. There is no ways news limited would try to blow this out of proportion to make Todd Greenberg and the NRL look bad.......

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » October 9, 2018, 9:35 pm

I'm happy with my opinion of him and from what I have been told, I think it's deserved. I can sleep well at night knowing I will never, ever financially support a club willing to defend EDIT.

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RedRaider · Post by **RedRaider** » October 9, 2018, 11:27 pm

BadnMean wrote: ↑October 8, 2018, 7:38 pm The NRL has already handed down a punishment AFTER seeing the footage. They can't double dip him. They'll end up in court themselves if they try. They have a PR out over the large fine and suspension plus the old let the courts handle it. If the sky falls it won't be the NRL that pulled it down, it'll be the court / or the Raiders.

I agree BnM. The Raiders initial proposed penalty was laughed at by the NRL. The subsequent penalty got the NRL nod.
The Court has a guilty plea in front of it.
Five people assaulted. That cannot be waived through. I feel for the victims and his family.

sprintman · Post by **sprintman** » October 10, 2018, 12:07 am

EDIT should have been sacked months back. This club has sunk to levels I never thought possible

Post by **dubby** » October 10, 2018, 7:35 am

I'm not defending Jack, nor am I going to condemn him.

I think it's prudent to wait until I see the footage before I start making any comments .

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Post by **greeneyed** » October 10, 2018, 8:15 am

Please remember sentencing is still to take place. And the forum has guidelines about over the top comments and language. You can still make your points without either.

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Botman · Post by **Botman** » October 10, 2018, 8:19 am

dubby wrote: ↑October 10, 2018, 7:35 am I'm not defending Jack, nor am I going to condemn him.

I think it's prudent to wait until I see the footage before I start making any comments .

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Why is it prudent to see the footage?
The footage is not going to be good, how bad it is, remains to be seen, but as far as defend vs condemn goes, he's plead guilty and will be sentenced shortly for his crime. There is nothing to defend. He did what the police accused him of. He is guilty, there is nothing to defend him for here, and people are right to condemn him and his actions.

What the **** is wrong with you?

gerg · Post by **gerg** » October 10, 2018, 11:35 am

In the article and several others it states that "police facts, tendered in court in June, said the footage showed Wighton head-butt and punch a man...... shove and then punch (another) man in the face..... attacking 3 men, headbutting and punching them in the head and face"

And that is pretty much what we will see in the footage. How is that so difficult to grasp?

It sounds pretty bad and I'm sure the footage will be pretty bad.

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simo · Post by **simo** » October 10, 2018, 11:45 am

Pigman wrote: ↑October 10, 2018, 8:19 am
dubby wrote: ↑October 10, 2018, 7:35 am I'm not defending Jack, nor am I going to condemn him.

I think it's prudent to wait until I see the footage before I start making any comments .

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Why is it prudent to see the footage?
The footage is not going to be good, how bad it is, remains to be seen, but as far as defend vs condemn goes, he's plead guilty and will be sentenced shortly for his crime. There is nothing to defend. He did what the police accused him of. He is guilty, there is nothing to defend him for here, and people are right to condemn him and his actions.

What the **** is wrong with you?

Um, maybe because we will get a clear view of what wighton actually did? The blokes he towelled up may have been up to no good, coloured or even homosexual.
Do people really think the video that wighton has tried to have suppressed is going to make anything better? I know jacks far from the smartest bloke but as a rule of thumb, id say most lawyers would advise him against trying to suppress something that would benefit him.

edwahu · Post by **edwahu** » October 10, 2018, 11:52 am

I'd say he wanted it suppressed because he has young kids and unlike most he has a high profile so it will be plastered all over the papers and TV and will always be a Google search away.