Tiger_Watto
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<big>**Verdict regarding accusations against John Elias expected today**</big>
by: Josh Massoud From: The Daily Telegraph November 23, 2011 12:00AM
WILL the NRL's betting scandal claim a second guilty verdict?
Or will the year-long saga turn completely on its head with a declaration of innocence?
Those questions are all but certain to be answered inside Courtroom 4.2 at Sydney's Downing Centre this afternoon, when a verdict in the match-fixing trial against colourful rugby league identity John Elias is tipped to be delivered.
In a case that has already dropped a bombshell in the form of Brad Murray's admission that he lied to police under duress, yesterday's proceedings featured a cast of high-profile witnesses who were involved in last year's Cowboys-Bulldogs clash.
Check out the network of calls and bets on the tainted match here
Bulldogs star Michael Ennis, Cowboys coach Neil Henry, former Canterbury coach Kevin Moore and top referee Jason Robinson were all examined under oath about the match, which is now infamous for a betting plunge on a North Queensland penalty goal to open the scoring.
However, Bulldogs football manager and prosecution witness Alan Thompson was prevented from testifying after magistrate Peter Miszalski ruled one of his written statements inadmissible because it was not directly relevant to the allegations against Elias.
Police were also keen to rely on expert evidence from chief NSW Racing steward Ray Murrihy, who has previously assisted the NRL with inquiries into suspicious betting activity.
But late yesterday, Miszalski strongly advised the prosecution that Murrihy's input would not be required.
Former bookmaker and betting detective Mark Phillips is expected to be today's lone witness, with the defence barrister Ronald Driels stating he does not intend to call any witnesses - including Elias.
The 48-year-old journeyman - who placed $5500 worth of multi-bets that included the exotic penalty-goal option - has been charged with attempting to gain financial advantage by deception.
Ex-Canterbury prop Ryan Tandy is appealing against his conviction last month of the same offence, while the footballer's manager Sam Ayoub faces court next Monday.
Tandy's conviction was secured with the admission of Murray's original police statement in which the former Eels playmaker claimed the game had been "set up".
But when he appeared on Monday, Murray turned the case upside down when he admitted to lying under "immense pressure" from Parramatta officials.
Police prosecutor Mark Watson yesterday called Ennis, Moore, Henry and Robinson to testify about the match, and specifically Tandy's play-the-ball infringement that gave the Cowboys a "golden opportunity" to open the scoring with a penalty goal.
Robinson told the court he had no choice but to award the penalty.
"That decision would have been blown by every single referee (in the NRL)," he said.
But instead of taking the simple goal, Cowboys utility Anthony Watts - also managed by Ayoub - stole a quick tap which led to the plunge-killing try out wide. Watts was unavailable to give evidence in court, but revealed that Tandy actually influenced his snap decision.
"I noticed that the Bulldogs players were very slow in getting back to their line," Watts' statement read.
"I saw that Ryan Tandy turned his back and slowly walked back to the line. This influenced my decision to take a quick tap."
Henry told the court he was unsurprised by Watts' call, adding he typically allowed his players to decide which option to take.
"He's an impulsive player who's hard to coach and makes some rash decisions on the field," Henry said.
Ennis and Moore said they noticed nothing unusual "before, during or after the match", although the ex-Bulldogs coach had to counsel Tandy when the drama erupted a week later.
Police also produced phone records showing contact between Elias and two other men who had placed wagers on the option - Ayoub and ex-Dragons winger Hassan Saleh - in the three-week period surrounding the match. The chart revealed that former Tigers fullback Joel Caine also placed a $200 bet.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/verdict-regarding-accusations-against-john-elias-expected-today/story-e6frexnr-1226203012929
by: Josh Massoud From: The Daily Telegraph November 23, 2011 12:00AM
WILL the NRL's betting scandal claim a second guilty verdict?
Or will the year-long saga turn completely on its head with a declaration of innocence?
Those questions are all but certain to be answered inside Courtroom 4.2 at Sydney's Downing Centre this afternoon, when a verdict in the match-fixing trial against colourful rugby league identity John Elias is tipped to be delivered.
In a case that has already dropped a bombshell in the form of Brad Murray's admission that he lied to police under duress, yesterday's proceedings featured a cast of high-profile witnesses who were involved in last year's Cowboys-Bulldogs clash.
Check out the network of calls and bets on the tainted match here
Bulldogs star Michael Ennis, Cowboys coach Neil Henry, former Canterbury coach Kevin Moore and top referee Jason Robinson were all examined under oath about the match, which is now infamous for a betting plunge on a North Queensland penalty goal to open the scoring.
However, Bulldogs football manager and prosecution witness Alan Thompson was prevented from testifying after magistrate Peter Miszalski ruled one of his written statements inadmissible because it was not directly relevant to the allegations against Elias.
Police were also keen to rely on expert evidence from chief NSW Racing steward Ray Murrihy, who has previously assisted the NRL with inquiries into suspicious betting activity.
But late yesterday, Miszalski strongly advised the prosecution that Murrihy's input would not be required.
Former bookmaker and betting detective Mark Phillips is expected to be today's lone witness, with the defence barrister Ronald Driels stating he does not intend to call any witnesses - including Elias.
The 48-year-old journeyman - who placed $5500 worth of multi-bets that included the exotic penalty-goal option - has been charged with attempting to gain financial advantage by deception.
Ex-Canterbury prop Ryan Tandy is appealing against his conviction last month of the same offence, while the footballer's manager Sam Ayoub faces court next Monday.
Tandy's conviction was secured with the admission of Murray's original police statement in which the former Eels playmaker claimed the game had been "set up".
But when he appeared on Monday, Murray turned the case upside down when he admitted to lying under "immense pressure" from Parramatta officials.
Police prosecutor Mark Watson yesterday called Ennis, Moore, Henry and Robinson to testify about the match, and specifically Tandy's play-the-ball infringement that gave the Cowboys a "golden opportunity" to open the scoring with a penalty goal.
Robinson told the court he had no choice but to award the penalty.
"That decision would have been blown by every single referee (in the NRL)," he said.
But instead of taking the simple goal, Cowboys utility Anthony Watts - also managed by Ayoub - stole a quick tap which led to the plunge-killing try out wide. Watts was unavailable to give evidence in court, but revealed that Tandy actually influenced his snap decision.
"I noticed that the Bulldogs players were very slow in getting back to their line," Watts' statement read.
"I saw that Ryan Tandy turned his back and slowly walked back to the line. This influenced my decision to take a quick tap."
Henry told the court he was unsurprised by Watts' call, adding he typically allowed his players to decide which option to take.
"He's an impulsive player who's hard to coach and makes some rash decisions on the field," Henry said.
Ennis and Moore said they noticed nothing unusual "before, during or after the match", although the ex-Bulldogs coach had to counsel Tandy when the drama erupted a week later.
Police also produced phone records showing contact between Elias and two other men who had placed wagers on the option - Ayoub and ex-Dragons winger Hassan Saleh - in the three-week period surrounding the match. The chart revealed that former Tigers fullback Joel Caine also placed a $200 bet.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/verdict-regarding-accusations-against-john-elias-expected-today/story-e6frexnr-1226203012929
