Clint Newton has called on the NRL to sit down with the Rugby League Players Association once and for all to settle appropriate punishments for NRLW misdemeanours following the penalties handed down to Caitlin Moran.
The RLPA chief executive officer slammed the NRL’s punishment for Moran that included a one-game ban and a suspended 25 per cent fine for a social media post in relation to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
Moran’s coach at the Knights, Ronald Griffiths, said the relationship between Indigenous people and the monarch was a complicated one and that many people wouldn’t understand her comments.
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But the integrity unit didn’t see it that way, issuing Moran with a breach notice on Tuesday evening that carries a suspended fine that will be activated if she goes against the code of conduct again in the next 12 months.
Newton says the punishment is way over the top for a player who isn’t on a professional contract and will now miss one-fifth of the regular season when a similar penalty would cost an NRL player five games and $250,000 fine if they were on a $1m deal.
“We believe that whether it is on-field judiciary matters or off-field integrity matters, there are disproportionate penalties applied to NRLW players,” Newton told the NCA NewsWire.
“It has to be recognised clearly that there’s a distinct difference to the male and female game in regards to the number of matches they play and the levels of remuneration.
“We will continually advocate for transparency, but we’re yet to see any framework that informs the NRL’s sanctions.
“Considering that Caitlin will now miss one game of a five-game competition plus finals, it’s a fifth of the season.
“Compare that to a male player who would have missed four or five matches. That’s a significant breach when you look at the comparison.
“People are going to have varying views on what Caitlin’s said, but our job is to advocate for transparency in a framework that we can all stand by.”
Newton said the onus was on the NRL to meet with the RLPA before the next collective bargaining agreement to settle on an agreed framework that would ensure fair and equitable punishments for the women’s game.
“You need to actually come together and work through it,” he said.
“There’s been a real reluctance from the NRL to actually come together with us and the clubs.
“We’re about understanding and education and providing compassion in situations where players breach the game’s code of conduct, but at the end of the day, accountability also has to be coupled with transparency and consistency when it comes to a framework that is going to sanction players in such a way.
“We were informed after the penalty was handed down.
“The game wants to be transparent with the public by publicising breach notes, but the game doesn’t want to be transparent with key stakeholders on matters like this to explain how they made this decision. I think there’s a mismatch there.
“What we’re working hard to achieve in this next CBA is something that we can all stand behind. No one is suggesting that there should be a removal of accountability, but what we’re looking for is transparency and alignment.
“I think if we get into a room and try to work on it then we can achieve that, but we’ve yet to do that.”
The former Jillaroos star will miss Sunday’s crucial game against the Dragons that will decide second spot ahead of next week’s semi-finals.
She’s attracted plenty of support on social media, while there has also been some backlash for her comments.
Regardless of people’s views, Newton said the RLPA stood by Moran and wanted her to stand strong after only returning to rugby league this season after four years out of the game.
“She’s a strong woman and she’s proven that by coming back after a significant amount of time out of the game,” he said.
“We just need to back her in that she’ll again come back from this suspension and produce some great performances for the Knights and also remain a terrific community leader.”
