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Newcastle Knights officials have resisted a public outcry to immediately sack Russell Packer, insisting they have a ‘‘duty of care’’ to the jailed prop and his family.
The Knights released a statement yesterday that declared no decision would be made about Packer’s future until after the former New Zealand international had appealed against his two-year sentence for bashing a man unconscious in a drunken fury and stomping on his head, causing facial fractures.
Magistrate Greg Grogin sentenced Packer in Downing Centre Local Court on Monday after an assault he described as ‘‘cowardly and deplorable’’.
He was remanded in custody and his appeal will be heard on February 11.
With Packer’s lucrative four-year contract hanging on the outcome, the Knights announced they would wait for the legal process to run its course before making any decision.
The club issued a ‘‘considered response’’ yesterday afternoon, which read: ‘‘When the Newcastle Knights became aware of the incident involving Russell Packer, the club stated it would allow the legal process to be completed before making a decision on his future.
‘‘From the moment the club became aware of the facts surrounding Packer’s incident, he was immediately stood down. At the same time, the NRL refused Packer’s contract application.
‘‘The club acknowledge Packer pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Monday, but also acknowledge the legal process remains ongoing. The club does not condone Packer’s behaviour, however there is an obligation to ensure the welfare of him and his young family. Packer relocated his family from New Zealand to Newcastle and they are without a support network.’’
The statement quoted Knights coach Wayne Bennett as saying: ‘‘Russell arrived in Newcastle prior to the official start of pre-season, didn’t attend a formal training session or a function and hasn’t played a game for our club.
‘‘Russell acted independent [sic] of the club, our players, our staff, on the night of the incident.
‘‘Russell has acted inappropriately, no one is arguing that fact, however, we as a club still believe we have a duty of care to Russell and his family.
‘‘Once the legal process is concluded, we will make a decision and discuss that with Russell before making it public.’’
In a Newcastle Herald poll conducted yesterday, 93 per cent of respondents voted ‘‘no’’ to the question: ‘‘Should the Newcastle Knights stand by Russell Packer?’’
The majority of comments on the Herald website condemned Packer for the assault and were equally critical of Knights management for not tearing up his contract.
‘‘So Russell Packer’s family feel he has been hard done by in being sentenced to two years in jail,’’ Tony Keene, of Wallsend, said. ‘‘Perhaps the family of the victim who had his head stomped on also feel a little hard done by, but perhaps with more justification.’’
Knights fan, Shannon, said he was ‘‘bewildered at the lack of backbone’’ shown by the club’s management.
‘‘The statement provided by the club on their website is an absolute joke,’’ he said.
‘‘The only comment should be: ‘Dear Knights fans, Russell’s contract has been ripped up’.’’
Asked if Packer should be allowed to play in the NRL after his jail term, Rugby League Players Association spokesperson Gennie Sheer said she could not comment as the legal process was not complete.
THE FULL RESPONSE POSTED BY THE KNIGHTS YESTERDAY:
"When the Newcastle Knights became aware of the incident involving Russell Packer, the Club stated it would allow the legal process to be completed before making a decision on his future.
From the moment the Club became aware of the facts surrounding Packer’s incident, he was immediately stood down. At the same time, the NRL refused Packer’s contract application.
The Club acknowledge Packer pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Monday, but also acknowledge the legal process remains ongoing.
The Club does not condone Packer’s behaviour, however there is an obligation to ensure the welfare of him and his young family.
Packer relocated his family from New Zealand to Newcastle and they are without a support network.
“Russell arrived in Newcastle prior to the official start of pre-season, didn’t attend a formal training session or a function and hasn’t played a game for our Club,” coach Wayne Bennett said.
“Russell acted independent of the Club, our players, our staff, on the night of the incident.
“Russell has acted inappropriately, no one is arguing that fact, however we as a Club still believe we have a duty of care to Russell and his family.
“Once the legal process is concluded, we will make a decision and discuss that with Russell before making it public."
Packer will appeal his sentence at a hearing on February 11.