Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield: Andrew Abdo ignores fans with criminally insufficient Dylan Brown punishment

Two weeks ago, I sent NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo a copy of a Dylan Brown poll from Twitter. After Brown’s punishment was revealed it’s clear the CEO disregarded the results.

Dylan Brown. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

The NRL should have come down harder on Parramatta Eels star Dylan Brown.

A seven-match suspension is an insufficient punishment for sexually groping a woman.

The Eels five-eighth will also be fined $20,000.

It’s hardly a significant blow for someone on $15,000 a week or $800,000 a year.

Two weeks ago, I sent NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo a copy of a Dylan Brown poll from Twitter.

I wanted him to have some idea of the public sentiment.

It showed a clear majority of fans wanted Brown banned for the remainder of the season. That his treatment of a woman was intolerable.

This is the game that fined former Roosters star Mitchell Pearce $100,000 and suspended him for eight weeks for putting a dog on his lap.

Where is the consistency?

Dylan Brown should have been rubbed for the season. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

Abdo obviously ignored the poll finding and the views of the punters. No wonder many of the club chief executives are always complaining that he treats them the same way.

The NRL had a real opportunity here to make a strong stance on this grubby behaviour.

For every female volunteer, for every NRLW player, for every woman involved in rugby league.

That a player cannot just walk into a pub and treat a ­female like Brown did.

To his credit, Brown has shown great remorse and apologised.

He will no doubt learn from all this.

That, however, doesn’t mean he should be allowed to play football again this year.

EELS STAR LEARNS NRL FATE

- Brent Read

Parramatta star Dylan Brown has been suspended for seven weeks and handed a $40,000 fine by the NRL after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual touching.

The ban means Brown will be sidelined for another four matches given he has already spent three games on the sidelines, clearing him to make his comeback for the Eels round 23 game against St George Illawarra.

Brown hasn’t played since being charged with five counts of sexual touching by police after a boozy night out in Sydney’s eastern suburbs last month.

His lawyer David Newham told the court that Brown had consumed between 15 to 20 drinks over a six-hour period on the night of the incident.

After Brown pleaded guilty to two charges, the court dropped three others. However, Brown still faced an integrity unit investigation which has now been completed, resulting in a further ban and fine.

Dylan Brown leaves Downing Centre Court. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Jeremy Piper

Dylan Brown in action for the Eels. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty

The good news for Parramatta is that Brown will be back for their run into the finals - there has initially been fears he could be banned for the remainder of the season.

Half of his $40,000 fine has been suspended. Brown has five days to respond to the breach notice.

“The NRL does not tolerate unlawful conduct of any nature let alone offences against women,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“The education and training requirements will be specifically targeted at rehabilitation and prevention. It will also reinforce Dylan’s responsibilities as an NRL player, particularly the responsible consumption of alcohol and the impact his behaviour has had, most importantly on the victim, but also on others, his Club and the game as a whole”.

The Eels released a statement on Monday.

“Under the terms of the breach notice, the club and Dylan have a five-day period available to consider the terms of the breach and the proposed sanctions.We will work with the NRL in the coming days in finalising this matter,” the Eels said.

CURRAN COPS BAN, FINE

Warriors forward Josh Curran has been handed a two-match suspension and a $10,000 fine after pleading guilty to assaulting a 16-year-old in a nightclub toilet on grand final night last year.

Curran’s court proceedings were finalised in Port Macquarie Local Court last Monday, clearing the way for the NRL integrity unit to take action of their own.

They handed Curran a breach notice which proposed a two-match suspension - he has already served one match after sitting out the Warriors loss to South Sydney last weekend - and a hefty fine.

In a statement, the NRL said Curran was also directed to “engage in and complete such education and training as advised by the NRL”.

Josh Curran is in hot water. Picture: Getty Images

“Curran was withdrawn from the Round 18 match against the Rabbitohs by the Warriors club.” the NRL said

“It is proposed the missed round 18 match is counted towards the two-match suspension. Curran will be available for selection and participation in the NRL competition round 20 match on Sunday, 16 July 2023.”

Curran has five business days to respond to the breach notice.

Curran will have five business days to respond to the breach notice.

Originally published as Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield: Andrew Abdo ignores fans with criminally insufficient Dylan Brown punishment