NRL 2022: Jack de Belin breaks silence on dropped allegations, darkest moments
Jack de Belin has been to hell and back over the past three years, and in his first interview in nearly four years the Dragons star opens up on his harrowing experience.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jack de Belin says he refused to consider the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.
“I never once thought about spending time behind bars. It just wasn’t a possibility in my mind that I wouldn’t be there to spend time with my girls,’’ De Belin said.
“I never really took any interest in that whole situation. I don’t know if it was my ego or just blind optimism, but I never once thought of ever going to jail.
“I think that’s maybe what kept me strong.
“The people who know me and who are in my inner circle know for a fact I’d never do anything like what I’ve been accused of.
“I can hold my head high.’’
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
In his first media interview in over three years and nine months after The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (NSW) dropped its sexual assault case against he and co-accused Callan Sinclair, the St George Illawarra forward broke down in tears as he described the impact the saga has had on his life, partner, family and NRL career.
“The darkest moment was definitely going to the police station,’’ De Belin said.
“I had no idea I was going to get charged. I thought I was just going down there to have a chat.
“But being charged and arrested when I arrived was definitely the darkest time.”
He also discussed his cancer scare, claims he hid from police under a bed during an unauthorised team barbecue last year, why he wants to repay the faith of the Dragons and his ambition to return to the State of Origin arena.
“I’d love to get back there (Origin),’’ De Belin said.
“I think it’d be a good story for anyone out there that’s had tough times or had something taken away from them that you can overcome any obstacle.
“I’d want to hope that, if I’m playing well, I’d be selected for sure.”
I’M INNOCENT
In April, 2021, De Belin and Sinclair were found not guilty of one of six charges related to the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Wollongong.
The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the five other charges.
It was the second hung jury on the charges against the pair, leading the DPP to reject going to a third trial.
De Belin conceded he was originally disappointed that he was unable to receive a not-guilty verdict.
“I’ve always stated my innocence from the get-go and that’s what gave me my strength, my innocence and knowing I didn’t do the wrong thing,’’ de Belin said. “Initially I was because that’s the only thing I ever expected, a full acquittal.
“My mind was not prepared for [a hung jury].
“That’s probably when it initially hurt me the most, especially for someone like Callan [Sinclair] as well. He was in the same situation as me and we didn’t expect to have that.
“These are the times we live in. The charges have been dismissed and dropped. As I’ve said, I’ve stated my innocence from the get-go and I stand by that.’’
THE FALLOUT
Why de Belin, who was with his partner at the time, allowed himself to be in a situation that would ultimately change the course of his life, is the question that members of the public have wrestled with.
De Belin admitted the mistake of being inside the Wollongong unit on the night was on him.
“I’m not necessarily saying I’m sorry, things happened and have panned out the way they have,’’ De Belin said.
“I am sorry my family got put through this whole situation, [and] my friends.
“Those are mistakes you make.
“That’s something I look back on and, in the three years since I made that mistake, I’ve learned a lot about myself.
“Everything happens for a reason.
“I’ve got to look at the positives and, because of this thing that’s happened to me, I don’t think I’d be the father I am today, the partner I am today and the person I am today.
“It’s like anything, you’ve got to take the positives out of each situation as dark as it may be.’’
Asked if he worried about what the public thought of him, de Belin replied: “It doesn’t concern me in the slightest.
“People are entitled to their opinion, that’s just life.’’
MAKING CHANGES
De Belin claimed he had changed from the person he was three years ago, motivated to become a better person and father, to his two daughters, Billie, 3, and Indie, 1.
“It’s one of the most amazing things to become a father,’’ De Belin said.
“I just love them so much. I love my girls so much.”
“Being there, in their lives and being a good role model as a father is something I’m definitely striving to do.
“I was a bit selfish for a while there. I suppose a lot of football players are, you have to be if you’re a professional athlete.
“I was a bit consumed in my own life and what was best for me without putting others first.
“To now have two children - it just blows your mind, that it’s not all about you.’’
NO-FAULT STAND DOWN POLICY
De Belin was one of the first players to be suspended under the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy introduced under former NRL CEO Todd Greenberg in February, 2019.
The rule was designed to protect the game’s brand during a period of which a player has been charged with a serious crime.
De Belin stopped short of asking the NRL to scrap the rule, but when asked if he felt let down by the game due to the lengthy period he spent on the sidelines, he replied: “I suppose so, especially when you haven’t had your day in court and nothing’s played out.
“I can see exactly what they’re doing, they’ve got to do what they need to do to protect the game.
“I thought it’d be six months and then it (case) would get pushed back for whatever reason and pushed back again.
“Before I knew it there was a second trial and it slowly dragged on. Before I knew it, it was close to three years before it was finally behind me.
“That’s up to the NRL to decide (if they need to review the policy).
“But at the same time, when you know you haven’t done something and you’re innocent and you’re not allowed to do your job or your occupation … it is what it is.’’
BEDTIME BBQ
De Belin was reportedly “hiding under a bed” when police arrived at the Dragons now infamous NRL lockdown party last season.
The NRL came down hard on the 13 St George Illawarra players who broke stay-at-home orders to party at Dragons star Paul Vaughan’s house, fining them a combined $305,000.
De Belin was still visibly disappointed himself when asked about his involvement yesterday.
“I’m not going to go into specifics about the barbecue. It’s all been reported, I shouldn’t have been there in the first place,’’ De Belin said.
“That was a grave error of judgement. The barbecue situation really affected me because I knew I did the wrong thing.
“I put myself in a situation that I shouldn’t have, especially with everything I had going on and all the people that backed me.
“With the other criminal situation I could always hold my head up high because I didn’t do the wrong thing. With the barbecue I did and I had to front up for that.”
CANCER SCARE AND PLAYING ON
In the middle of his court case, in December 2020, de Belin was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
“That was very left field and came as a bit of a shock,’’ De Belin said.
“Having testicular cancer and pretty much finding out the same day I got the scans that I’d be getting it removed the next day.
“It was pretty confronting.’’
He says that after knocking back an offer to join the Warriors, 2022 is about repaying the faith of the Dragons.
“Not for one second did I think I’d played my last game. I always knew I was innocent,’’ De Belin said.
“There were a few factors (why I knocked back the Warriors). One, I felt like I owed it to the club, they always supported me and stood by me through such a hard time.
“I had no reason to run away. I haven’t done the wrong thing, I’m not just going to happily pack up and go to New Zealand.
“(Repaying the Dragons) means results on the football field, having some good form and getting some wins.
“Then it’s being a model citizen off the field and showing the club that I am a good person and I have the best interests of the club at heart.’’
More Coverage
Originally published as NRL 2022: Jack de Belin breaks silence on dropped allegations, darkest moments
Billy Slater in crazy career shift
Storm legend and Queensland coach Billy Slater has taken up a new position that nobody saw coming after the NRL season.
Broncos star named to become dual international for Kiwis
The Kiwi Ferns have called up four debutants for the Pacific Championships including Brisbane star Gayle Broughton who is poised to join one of sport’s most exclusive clubs.