Yeah boxing day in the town i live in is bad as is castleford but tbh i think it happened xmas day night !!
I dont agree with drunken behaviour anyday mind !

I don't disagree that we should all wait for the evidence before passing judgement but unfortunately your arguement harms Owen more than helps.

Of course people go out and drink. Of course people get into fights, and of course people get hurt all the time.....but that doesn't make it right.
And this bit "if the players socialise by drinking alchohol in public places, especially during this type of occasion, the law of averages says an incident will happen involving a player at some point, and will without fail happen again"..... is exactly the reason why there is a question mark.
He represents himself and his club and to a lesser extent the game. If he knows what you know about Ponte then he is knowingly going into that environment and risking the consequences you describe.
That isn't going to help him in his club disciplinary.

Don't think the RFL will see any player doing wrong representing the game to a lesser extent. It's their product that they are selling to Joe public and have a duty to protect it's image in anyway they see fit.

MASSIVE RAMBLE ALERT!

I don't go out that much locally and when I do I either take my family or I moderate my drinking BECUASE I have a position of responsibility and a reputation to uphold for myself, my employer and any of the people who work for me......
.... Becuase no matter what people say, you are an ambassador for your family, your employers and the answer "well I wasn't at work" or whatever doesnt wash, you are the sum total of the actions you take and the decisions you make.

I have been to a lot of pubs and had a lot of nights out in my time, to loads of rugby and football events in my colours and had beers and a laugh and quite a few scary trips watching Leeds and met many offices of the law. But in general, if you choose your actions carefully and you cosnider your actions and moderate your drinking, the majority of people, police and everyone respect that. So, I would conclude in my expereince in 99.999999999999% of instances, one can avoid a punch up if you want to; It is usually only your pride or your dumbass ego that means you have to prove your point.

I actually like Richard Owen, if he has done wrong I actually think he is a contrite individual who actually will do the right thing and similarly if during this club investigation he commits to community work and setting higher standards, I am sure he will.
People who really frustrate me are like Aspinwall where he can't seem to moderate his actions and is always a "victim of circumstances" or "not what it looks like" - thats crap, if you are a victim of your circumstances, change them - if it is not what it looks like, then consider how it might look and your record before you do it and grow up.

Disagree, there is a precident for convictions being in law not being matched by a sanction within the RFL I am afraid - I don't like it, I actually think that all sports people should resepect their reputations more and the role they play - but the RFL has very limited power in this instance as there are MANY examples of offences in law not resulting in sanction by the RFL, so there is no grounds I am afraid.

Couldn't agree more

Thought players as members of the RFL have a code of conduct to follow on and off the field and any terms broken could be punished if the RFL think it's bad enough. Just look at the NRL if you fart the wrong way it's the NRL governing body that tears up your contract as well as the club. Is that not the same here? If not maybe one too many off field problems should open the eyes of the RFL and look at some off the field rules on discipline.

What's the difference between Aspinwall and Owen? This isn't the first incident Richard Owen has been involved in.

At the moment the differences are: is this is only an allegation and nobody has clarity on the reality of this situation, timing, so close to Aspi's other misdemeanors and the relative ages of the players involved. RO might have been involved in other alledged things, but not convictions at the same level.

Extremely well said - I couldn't agree more.

Nothing wrong as such with players going out and enjoying themselves (in moderation) but would have to question Owen's choice of the location (Pontefract) at that time of year.

I am curious to know who his mates where as well on this night out...where they players at the club or at another club(s)?

Think most people know but are wisely keeping stum.

Was rather hoping for some news and output today on the whole debacle, be nice to make this uncertainty go away.

Quote: mdean "Was rather hoping for some news and output today on the whole debacle, be nice to make this uncertainty go away.'" Like this? www.castigers.com/article.php?id=1984

Quote: mdean "Was rather hoping for some news and output today on the whole debacle, be nice to make this uncertainty go away.'" Like this? www.castigers.com/article.php?id=1984

So theres two seperate incidents?