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<big>Verdict regarding accusations against John Elias expected today</big>
by: Josh Massoud From: The Daily Telegraph November 23, 2011 12:00AMWILL 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.
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What an interesting Diagram!
Joel Caine?
oh dear… and he seems like such a cleanskin…
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Some of them have put thousands of dollars on that option. Sucked in, cheats never prosper.
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There would be a lot of people who would have got the tip to put money on without being involved, much like the Fine Cotton scandal. However, I find it incredulous that someone followed a tip like this without thinking there was something fishy going. It’s a bit different to getting a tip for a horse or team to perform well - to get the pay-off, a very specific event had to occur.
So to sum up, if Caine (and others) didn’t know it was dodgy, he should have know it was.
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It was very stupid when you think about it
Unless you had the Cowboys in on it it was never going to happen . How often do you see the Cowboys take penalty shots unless it is for the game winning lead late in a game
The were always going to try and score
Just goes to prove what I have always thought John Elias ain’t a real bright spark
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who is michael chisholm?
any relation to dane? -
This is going to be a classic case of injustice.
It is so glaringly obvious that something untoward has occurred - however prosecutors are really going to struggle to provide the evidence to substantiate convictions.
Unfortunately common sense and logic are not allowed as exhibits.
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How good would a Minister for Common Sense be?
oh how the world would be a better place -
Are two of those names current WT juniors???
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Actually Spartan there is one ex Magpie and Tiger (Elias) and two ex Wests Tigers (Hassan Saleh and Joel Caine) Not sure about any juniors though None of the names rang a bell
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@happy tiger:
Actually Spartan there is one ex Magpie and Tiger (Elias) and two ex Wests Tigers (Hassan Saleh and Joel Caine) Not sure about any juniors though None of the names rang a bell
Jai and Liam Ayoub?
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@happy tiger:
Actually Spartan there is one ex Magpie and Tiger (Elias) and two ex Wests Tigers (Hassan Saleh and Joel Caine) Not sure about any juniors though None of the names rang a bell
Jai and Liam Ayoub?
Sorry mate didn’t see their names in the tree they had
Jai Would be too young to place a bet wouldn’t he
Liam’s gone isn’t he ??
Jai isn’t he in the SG Ball or Harold Matthew’s ?? -
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Mate, that John Elias is shadier than a weeping willow tree - hasn’t been out of trouble since he stopped playing!
