It was as widely reported as most other stories that pop up, so I guess we can only go on what is reported. It was across most platforms at the time from memory. But you're right, like most things, we don't know the full extent.
Of course. I agree that it's not daisy chains and hug circles. But, if it was as is reported, there are ways to go about discussing matters, particular as a senior staff member to a boss. Every industry is different, but from my experience, regardless of how rough and tumble the work situation is, there's still a right way to go about it.
Yeh, possibly. I argued last year that I'm empathetic to Bateman in that situation if he was unfairly targeted and Benji himself should've known how (and who) to target with a dressing-down in front of the playing group.
No we don't, but the timing is pretty strong suggestion that the situation deteriorated from that incident after the (Souths?) game, leading to the option of space for all parties becoming available. That gave both Bateman, Benji and Richo the time to figure out whether it was patch-up-able or not. Plus a little back in the Tigers' purse in the meantime in what was already a lost season.
I don't have a problem with how it was handled after the fact.
As you said though, it's hard to know exactly what went down. So, personally, I err on the side of condemning either party too much over it. But that's just me.
Sorry it took so long to reply, mate. Big day.