One-punch killer Dylan Closter remorseful, former Rushworth Football Club coach says
THE one punch killer who was let out to play football was helpful around the club and remorseful for his actions, a former Rushworth Football Club coach says.
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THE one punch killer who was let out to play football was helpful around the club and remorseful for his actions, a former Rushworth Football Club coach says.
Ian Harris, a former police officer and father of ex-North Melbourne and Gold Coast player Daniel, said the program of bringing prisoners had helped the club and the convicts.
“It’s a real hard one. It helps the club and it helps them rehabilitate. He’s been nothing but a pleasure to have at the footy club. But I can’t explain enough the feeling I have for the (victims) mother and the family.”
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Closter’s day release has caused widespread outrage.
The 24 year old was jailed for the death of 22-year-old David Cassai in Rye on New Year’s Eve in 2012.
Mr Cassai’s family have been shocked at the decision to allow him to play football despite years remaining on his sentence.
Closter was regularly picked up by a club official, who had undergone training, from nearby Dhurringle prison for training and games.
He would be fed after training and then returned to the prison by a curfew.
Mr Harris said that Closter had helped in the canteen on match days and was involved in cleaning up at the club rooms.
“He’s always wanting to help out,” he said.
And there was no evidence of the violent temper that saw him jailed.
“He got clobbered (by an opposition player), he copped it, he just took it and kept going,” Mr Harris said.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, no matter who you are.”
Mr Harris said he hoped the program would survive.
“He’s meeting people out there who wouldn’t go down the same track as he has,” he said.
“You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t, he’s been nothing but a gentleman to have around the club.”
The Herald Sun visited both pubs in Rushworth on Tuesday, who confirmed that Closter had not been in for a drink after any of his 12 games this season.
Rushworth Football Netball Club did not know that they were playing alongside a killer who was out on day release from jail.
Closter’s background was not disclosed to the team as part of standard procedure under the scheme.
Martin Gleeson, AFL regional general manager for the Murray Goulburn Football League, told the Herald Sun the program had been running for more than seven years.
“If Corrections Victoria say they are suitable we help, we don’t track it. The first I heard about this was yesterday,” he said.
“The club didn’t know his background, it’s not something that’s advertised.
“As soon as you put a jumper on everyone is equal.”
Mr Gleeson said he understood the views of Mr Cassai’s family.
But he said the program as a whole worked to help prisoners get back into the community.
He said that there were “less than 10” prisoners playing in the league, which was a lower level league made up of small clubs.
Any player found guilty at the tribunal was taken out of the program.
He said that players were allowed to shower after the game but were not allowed to leave the ground to socialise.
Players were not allowed to drink alcohol, he added.
“They are transported to the game and they are under supervision,” he said.
Mr Gleeson said any decision on Closter’s future was up to Corrections Victoria.
He said the program was reviewed every year and club’s had to apply for players.
“We have had some positive feedback in the local media over the last few years,” he said.