Russell Packer and Danny Wicks should not be allowed back in the NRL, according to majority of our readers

OVER fifty per cent of NRL fans believe that jailbirds should not be allowed to return to the sport as Russell Packer and Danny Wicks looks to resurrect their careers.

Former Newcastle Knights NRL player Danny Wicks leaves for a lunch break during his drugs trial at Newcastle Court, Newcastle.

More than fifty per cent of NRL fans believe that jailbirds should not be allowed to return to the sport as Russell Packer and Danny Wicks looks to resurrect their careers after serving time.

This is according to our readers who yesterday had their say on one of the most pressing issues surrounding the NRL at the moment, however it was hardly a unanimous decision.

The question is raised as the NRL face the dilemma of whether or not to register the contracts of former inmates Packer and Wicks.

The duo, who have recently been released from prison, have reportedly received contract offers from the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Parramatta Eels respectively.

Packer was jailed for 12 months on assault charges shortly after joining the Newcastle Knights while Wicks was imprisoned for three years after being found guilty of drug trafficking.

Yesterday we asked the question, should NRL players who are sent to jail be allowed back in the game?

The results are in, and it was almost a 50-50 split decision..

The majority of readers took a hard stance on the NRL outcasts with 51.47 per cent of voters believing they had abused their position of privilege and should not be allowed to return to the game.

Others were more sympathetic with 43.31 per cent of voters believing that everyone deserves a second chance, including those who have spent time behind bars.

A further 5.22 per cent of voters were undecided on the issue which has left the NRL’s hierarchy with a huge decision to make prior to the commencement of season 2015.

Danny Wicks leaves for a lunch break during his drugs trial at Newcastle Court

FOR the return

Åaron Doven

doesn’t everyone deserve a second chance ????? please don’t shoot me down in flames ... its my opinion and im entitled to it ...

Jason Hart

I agree. They have served their sentence, they should be allowed back in. But their contracts should have strict regulations and if they break them they should be banned for life.

Luke Goodwin

They both made mistakes like all of us. They have done their time. They never hit a women or killed anyone. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance. Good Luck Russell and Danny. Welcome back to the Rugby League Family.

Chris Jermyn

YES LET THEM PLAY. They did the crime and did their time. How bout you commend them for trying to make something of their lives instead of jumping on them when they’re down

Joollz Bodhikeeper

Yes, everyone deserves a break & a chance to make a better life for themselves from the one they’ve known. Who hasn’t made mistakes in their life? A fair go, I say.

Russell Packer playing for the Kiwis in 2011

AGAINST the return

Narelle

No! They shouldn’t be allowed to play, They’re supposed to be Role Models. Their own Fault!

Richard Jackson

Todd Carney has been ran out of the game for p*****g in his own mouth. His repeated infractions have never hurt anyone. Yet a drug dealer and a dead set thug who stomped on a blokes head are allowed to play. To be honest I’m not fussed they are allowed to play but for carney not to be allowed is bs.

Rachel O’Reilly

No. This is not a regular job, it’s a job where they are professional sports people and are in the public eye. I don’t necessarily think they should be role models, but there is no question that they are, to some young children and the juniors of the game. He has served his sentence to be released into the general population, but he has not served any sentence in terms of the game. Convicted criminals have limited job prospects when they are released, and he should be no different. You cannot punish players like Carney and allow this violent offender back in the game.

Graham Kenney

Na they blown there chance it's a privileged position playing football every kid dreams of it, they have a right to earn a living the same way everyone else does go get a real job

Damien Brindle

Absolute Joke! Do u think a copper. doctor ... schoolteacher etc etc would get there job back? Do Saints fans really want this grub signing there kids jersey?

Mareika N Darren

No. There are a lot of fields of employment where if convicted of offences you are prohibited from working again in those areas. This should be no different.

What the pro’s think

Paul Rauhihi back in his Cowboy days

Former New Zealand international and NRL star Paul Rauhihi had his say on the matter through theDaily Telegraph’s Facebook page.

Rauhihi amassed 131 NRL games with the Cowboys, Bulldogs and Knights before making the moving to the English Super League where he made 95 appearances with the Warrington Wolves.

“I say NO to a second chance in RL,” he wrote. “Players receive plenty of education about social responsibility, being role models etc etc. It’s not like these guys are “Joe public” they are role models regardless of if they want to be or not.”

“For the NRL to condone their actions despite serving their punishment is not acceptable in my opinion. Yes people make mistakes and can turn their lives around, I just don’t think they need to be back in an aggressive sport for kids to think their past actions have been “forgotten”.”

“Employers have the right to decide who they employ and who will represent their workplace as they see fit to a certain extent, hopefully the NRL has its head screwed on properly and thinks hard about this decision. Luke Goodwin, Shane Muspratt, Jamie McDonald what do think?”

Rauhihi engaged in conversation with other members of the public and clearly displayed his view against the potential registration of the contracts of both men.

Originally published as Russell Packer and Danny Wicks should not be allowed back in the NRL, according to majority of our readers