Current and former NRL stars back Greenberg over Ben Barba ban

NRL players have been put on notice by Todd Greenberg that no more misbehaviour will be tolerated — and the message has been heard loud and clear in the wake of an off-season from hell.

North Queensland Cowboys training from the Townsville Sports Reserve. Ben Barba. Picture: Zak Simmonds

• Greenberg puts every NRL player on notice
• Hodges backs Barba ban
• Dylan Napa facing sex tape suspension

Current and former NRL stars are united in their support of CEO Todd Greenberg’s hardline player behaviour stance, with Queensland superstar Kalyn Ponga and Canberra powerhouse Sia Soliola agreeing the right call has been made.

Greenberg on Tuesday handed down a life ban to disgraced former Dally M medal winner Ben Barba over an alleged assault of his wife before issuing a message to current stars that poor off-field behaviour will not be tolerated.

The Barba saga comes as the investigation continues into Canterbury Bulldogs recruit Dylan Napa and his infamous sex tapes which have brought shame on the game in the NRL off-season.

End of the line... Ben Barba’s had his North Queensland Cowboys contract torn up. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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Greenberg is fed up and has laid down the law to all current players.

“It’s a very clear message for a lot of players in our sport that it’s a great privilege to play rugby league, to put a jersey on, to earn a significant income which they deserves as footballers,” Greenberg said.

“But it comes with real responsibility. And if you start to step outside the crease, you’re going to put your livelihood at risk. This is a prime example.”

And the message has been received loud and clear by Ponga and Soliola, who on Wednesday threw their support behind Greenberg and his approach.

“It is our responsibility at the end of the day,” Ponga told Fox Sports News.

“I can’t comment on past (examples) but from now on, going forwards, (that’s what) we as players can control.”

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg has had enough and has issued a warning to all current NRL players. Picture: Adam Yip

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Greenberg stressed that there were no excuses for players to be unaware of their responsibilities as players, given the level of training they receive.

Ponga said he’d been educated on how to avoid difficult situations.

“I think in this generation, sportsmen are more wary of the dos and don'ts of social media,” he said.

“I definitely know I’ve been through countless sessions, talks about what you can and can’t do. It’s just about being careful with who you’re with and around as well.

“You can control what you’re doing on your phone but sometimes you can’t control what other people are doing on theirs. If you’re just putting yourself in a safe environment, that also goes a long way in social media as well.”

Kalyn Ponga has backed Todd Greenberg’s hardline approach. Picture: Adam Head

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One of the NRL’s leading role models, Soliola said it was important that players banded together to protect the game amid an off-season stacked with ugly off-field incidents.

“The only way people learn is by knowing what boundaries there are,” Soliola told reporters on Wednesday.

“Collectively, as a game, we’ve got to protect the game first and that’s what the mindset should be.”

And while the spotlight has never shone brighter than it does on current players, those from bygone eras feel the same as those still in the game.

North Sydney Bears legend Billy Moore was furious at the latest allegations of domestic violence and said “rugby league is a lie”.

“We lie about women’s round and (the) White Ribbon (charity),” he told ABC radio.

“The bar was low for rugby league anyway but I think Ben Barba is the sixth NRL individual to be hauled on of accusations of violence against women.

“The force of the game has to come down. Just because you’re a great player isn’t an excuse.”

Billy Moore in his heyday for the North Sydney Bears.

Fellow Queensland great Justin Hodges felt it was a simple path to follow: treat women with respect or face the consequences.

“We can’t treat women like that,” Hodges said.

“You don’t want to see him banned for life but at some stage we have to stand up and protect women. I’m a father of a daughter and I don’t want anything like that to happen to my daughter.

“I think rugby union and the Super League will follow suit with whatever punishment the NRL decides so I don’t think Benny will have anywhere else to go.

“It’s a shame because he’s a player with so much talent, so much ability.’’

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Originally published as Current and former NRL stars back Greenberg over Ben Barba ban