Benji Marshall involved in late-night incident

@tiger05 said:
I think everyone needs to calm down as well however I'll probably inflame it more with this post.

Benji is a great player and really comes across to me as a fantastic role model and person. I have always viewed him in a positive light and this incident has not change my opinion one bit.

In saying that he has now been charged with assault. He really stuffed up big time with regards to this. There are laws out there that simply have to be followed. You cannot hit someone unless it is in a sporting environment. Yes it happens but you are not allowed to do it. Benji is a public figure and he simply has to avoid these situations. All the posters making out that he did the right thing are living in fantasy land.
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I disagree Tiger05, you sound like a very decent man, i think you're remarks are honest and honourable. But the law is man made and not perfect. If we all followed things just because it's law we'd still be burning women as witches. Things have to evolve.
 
@LCA said:
There seems to be a hell of a lot of assumptions being made on here, all based on media reports. Nobody knows the truth yet about the actions of Benji or the motivations of the guys who supposedly "baited him". But, I don't care. Benji should NOT, in any circumstance, have assaulted (yet to be proved) anyone. He should have walked away and let the law deal with it if he felt compelled to make a complaint of racial vilification. But, (it seems) he didn't. And, if true, his actions are indefensible. I feel a great discomfort with the sentiments of some folk on here who seem to suggest he should be treated differntly because he is one of ours or that what he did was justified by the actions of the morons who chose to verbally abuse him (allegedly). I am angry, disgusted and disappointed by Benji's actions. Of all the pople who have done such wonderful things to promote the decency of rugby league players, Benji had been a stand out. I thought he was someone who "got it". I thought he understood that his behaviour and actions just have to be perfect 100% of the time. But, I was wrong and he didn't "get it". He needs to face the consequences of his stupidity. And, if that invloves the NRL imposing supsensions or the WT standing him down, so be it. He chose that path.
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In sure theres a few who would hold this view. However, you begin your post by stating that theres a lot of assumptions going on, then you go on to put the negative side of things on Marshall and add the odd "yet proven" and "allegedly", which is fair enough….....but........then you finish your post by making your own assumptions of Benji's guilt, the very assumptions you were complaining about at the begginning of your post.

Anyway, welcome to the forum mate.
 
@king sirro said:
@LCA said:
There seems to be a hell of a lot of assumptions being made on here, all based on media reports. Nobody knows the truth yet about the actions of Benji or the motivations of the guys who supposedly "baited him". But, I don't care. Benji should NOT, in any circumstance, have assaulted (yet to be proved) anyone. He should have walked away and let the law deal with it if he felt compelled to make a complaint of racial vilification. But, (it seems) he didn't. And, if true, his actions are indefensible. I feel a great discomfort with the sentiments of some folk on here who seem to suggest he should be treated differntly because he is one of ours or that what he did was justified by the actions of the morons who chose to verbally abuse him (allegedly). I am angry, disgusted and disappointed by Benji's actions. Of all the pople who have done such wonderful things to promote the decency of rugby league players, Benji had been a stand out. I thought he was someone who "got it". I thought he understood that his behaviour and actions just have to be perfect 100% of the time. But, I was wrong and he didn't "get it". He needs to face the consequences of his stupidity. And, if that invloves the NRL imposing supsensions or the WT standing him down, so be it. He chose that path.

In sure theres a few who would hold this view. However, you begin your post by stating that theres a lot of assumptions going on, then you go on to put the negative side of things on Marshall and add the odd "yet proven" and "allegedly", which is fair enough….....but........then you finish your post by making your own assumptions of Benji's guilt, the very assumptions you were complaining about at the begginning of your post.

Anyway, welcome to the forum mate.
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Bravo King Sirro
 
This is a massive beat up.

I'm was more concerned about the punch he threw at Mitchel Pearce in the first semi.
That ended up costing us the game.
And probably a grand final berth.
 
@LCA said:
There seems to be a hell of a lot of assumptions being made on here, all based on media reports. Nobody knows the truth yet about the actions of Benji or the motivations of the guys who supposedly "baited him". But, I don't care. Benji should NOT, in any circumstance, have assaulted (yet to be proved) anyone. He should have walked away and let the law deal with it if he felt compelled to make a complaint of racial vilification. But, (it seems) he didn't. And, if true, his actions are indefensible. I feel a great discomfort with the sentiments of some folk on here who seem to suggest he should be treated differntly because he is one of ours or that what he did was justified by the actions of the morons who chose to verbally abuse him (allegedly). I am angry, disgusted and disappointed by Benji's actions. Of all the pople who have done such wonderful things to promote the decency of rugby league players, Benji had been a stand out. I thought he was someone who "got it". I thought he understood that his behaviour and actions just have to be perfect 100% of the time. But, I was wrong and he didn't "get it". He needs to face the consequences of his stupidity. And, if that invloves the NRL imposing supsensions or the WT standing him down, so be it. He chose that path.
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hahahaha well thats your opinion I guess.
BTW…I think that YOU dont get it....thats my opinion.
 
Thanks for the welcome to the forum king sirro. I suppose my main point is, IF he asssaulted that guy, in my opinion, no matter what the level of provocation, he shouldn't have done it. And IF he did, he should face the consequences. And, IF he did, no matter what the provocation, I want the club or NRL or his sponsors to respond in a way that makes clear to everyone, that such an act is not condoned. IF he is found to have committed that act (and there is a very big difference between "not guilty" and "innocent") I will be totally disillusioned. And, as insignificant as I am, I think that should matter to Benji and the Tigers. The totality of fans (or in my case, a member) is the aggregation of individuals.
 
**Marshall charged over incident**

NRL star Benji Marshall charged by police over late-night stoush allegedly sparked by verbals taunts

AAP
March 06, 2011 7:33PM

Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall has been charged with assault following an altercation outside a fast-food outlet in Sydney's CBD in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Marshall was charged with assault occassioning actual bodily harm after being interviewed by detectives at North Sydney Police Station on Sunday afternoon.

Marshall is alleged to have hit a 24-year-old in retaliation to continued racial taunts on the corner of Bridge and George Streets in Sydney's CBD just after 3am (AEDT) on Saturday.

The 24-year-old reported the incident to The Rocks police station.

The New Zealand Test captain met with lawyers on Sunday and, after it was initially believed he would not meet with police until Monday, Marshall presented himself for questioning.

"A 26-year-old man attended North Sydney Police Station in the company of a legal representative," a police spokesperson said.

"He was questioned and issued a future court appearance notice for the offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

"He will appear in Downing Centre Local court on April 20."

The NRL, who anointed Marshall as the 'face of the NRL' after he was handed the honour of officially launching the season last Wednesday, sought an urgent report from the Tigers to be delivered by midday Monday.

"We can't escape the fact that the game does not need to be dealing with an issue such as this at such an important time of year," NRL chief executive David Gallop said in a statement.

"The responsibility all players face at this time of year is clear and to some extent the level of responsibility rises with a player's profile, irrespective of his record.

"Players are not always in the wrong but incidents such as these will always demand close scrutiny by the game and the public."

Marshall's manager Martin Tauber told Sunday newspapers that the Tigers five-eighth had been racially abused by a group of eight to 10 people, with one of them allegedly calling him a "black c…'' several times.

"One of them started to shout at him and said: `Go back to New Zealand you black c...'," Tauber told The Sunday Telegraph.

"He (Marshall) tried to walk away from him - he tried to make light of it and then the guy did it again."

:deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse: :deadhorse:
 
@LCA said:
Thanks for the welcome to the forum king sirro. I suppose my main point is, IF he asssaulted that guy, in my opinion, no matter what the level of provocation, he shouldn't have done it. And IF he did, he should face the consequences. And, IF he did, no matter what the provocation, I want the club or NRL or his sponsors to respond in a way that makes clear to everyone, that such an act is not condoned. IF he is found to have committed that act (and there is a very big difference between "not guilty" and "innocent") I will be totally disillusioned. And, as insignificant as I am, I think that should matter to Benji and the Tigers. The totality of fans (or in my case, a member) is the aggregation of individuals.
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On a slightly unrelated note, I was in the People's parliament the other day and one of the main topics that came up was the level of mayhem in the streets at night and the lack of respect for police and authority.

You sound like a really smart guy LCA, but this is a problem. Our society is way too delicate and instigators get away with rubbish like this way too often because there are little powers to act on it. They may not throw the first punch, but they were the cause.

'but for the fact' they were throwing racial slurs, none of this would have happened.

I'm glad to see someone in our society taking out the rubbish rather than letting it stand. I applaud Benji.
 
@hammertime said:
I'm glad to see someone in our society taking out the rubbish rather than letting it stand. I applaud Benji.
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I can't believe what some of you are stating. Benji is on assault charges. I am sure if he had his time over he would have walked away.

Racial abuse is disgusting but hitting someone can kill them. It is not the way to deal with it.
 
@LCA said:
Thanks for the welcome to the forum king sirro. I suppose my main point is, IF he asssaulted that guy, in my opinion, no matter what the level of provocation, he shouldn't have done it. And IF he did, he should face the consequences. And, IF he did, no matter what the provocation, I want the club or NRL or his sponsors to respond in a way that makes clear to everyone, that such an act is not condoned. IF he is found to have committed that act (and there is a very big difference between "not guilty" and "innocent") I will be totally disillusioned. And, as insignificant as I am, I think that should matter to Benji and the Tigers. The totality of fans (or in my case, a member) is the aggregation of individuals.
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Biggest load of crap I've read for some time. You have quite clearly never been racially abused. Your "no matter the provocation" is the type of do gooder rubbish that some have posted in cyber space today. It's funny that these same people are strangely silent when it comes to the racism aspect. Benji has my 100% support and I hope the Tigers have some balls and back him as well.

Answer me this, What message would you like the NRL or his sponsors to send about racism??
 
@BornBlack&Gold said:
The charges will be dropped eventually. this clown wont have the guts to go through with pressing charges when he knows it will come out for all to know he deliberately baited benji into hitting him.

The problem however may be that by that time, the nrl may have already rubbed marshall out for a few weeks and benjis reputation has copped a battering by the media who dont give a stuff about facts, just headlines.
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Agree with the first part - grubs like this are only tough after a skinfull and with their mates. If he wants to go to court people are entitled to know who he is and what he said.

Disagree on the second. Sadly, there are many examples of NRL players (some on much heftier charges than this) playing on with charges hanging over them.
 
april 20 thats 6 weeks into the season that we'll have this hanging over our head. its all very disappointing
 
@tiger05 said:
@hammertime said:
I'm glad to see someone in our society taking out the rubbish rather than letting it stand. I applaud Benji.

I can't believe what some of you are stating. Benji is on assault charges. I am sure if he had his time over he would have walked away.

Racial abuse is disgusting but hitting someone can kill them. It is not the way to deal with it.
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Come on mate, stop being a drama queen, he gave him a fat lip.
 
Has that guy denied abusing Benji?
If not, another assumption here is that Benji was intimidated by racial remarks.

Just a thought, but seriously I wish Benji had not responded physically. Should he have walked away? Personally yes, because he is the face of League and shouldn't have continued the troubling incident.

If they wanna charge him like any other normal person, then they should firstly acknowledge that what he did was what many normal males should do. Should he be charged? I reckon he will be charged but I don't think the NRL should interfere in this at all because it's a really small incident and a small punch in the face.

Opinions will be divided.
 
I dont believe Benji is in the wrong.
If i were to go up to the pub and make a racial slur against a (just an example) kiwi and then get belted for it, whos at fault? Him for reacting to racism or myself for saying it? I can guarantee that 9 out of 10 people would say you should of kept your mouth shut.
By the sounds of things this imbo opened his mouth and couldnt back it up.
100% behind Benji and im sure that the Tigers will be too
 
intersted to see what action NRL take in relation to this.
Todd carney did not get suspended for his indiscretion, so why should Benji !!!!
 
@Icon said:
@tiger05 said:
@hammertime said:
I'm glad to see someone in our society taking out the rubbish rather than letting it stand. I applaud Benji.

I can't believe what some of you are stating. Benji is on assault charges. I am sure if he had his time over he would have walked away.

Racial abuse is disgusting but hitting someone can kill them. It is not the way to deal with it.

Come on mate, stop being a drama queen, he gave him a fat lip.
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I don't think I am being a drama queen. In my opinion he did a really dumb thing. If he was racially abused that is unacceptable but he should not have retaliated.

Benji is my favorite player and a good guy but he did the wrong thing. I don't think he deserves to get into big trouble for it and I would like to see the guy who shouted abuse also get charged.

The point remains he is on assault charges. Any tiger fan should realize that this is not a good thing and if it could have been avoided it should have.

As for getting suspended from playing that should not happen. I hope the charges get dropped and it all disappears.
 
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