Exiled down south wrote:
It comes down to choice. Like Vasty says we all change jobs, lose jobs, change environments, fall on hard times etc etc but 'armed' robbery or robbery of any form just isn't acceptable. If found guilty there is no excuse
On another point above I wish my former employers had looked after me for 5 years. The best I've heard is when we laid some staff of in France the employer is obliged cover 75% of the salary for at least 12 months(or similar before the pendents come marching in)
I get the sentiment that Vasty expresses - and there's no excuse for the sort of actions that Alker is accused of, but I also think that there is an argument for better player welfare. Whilst what Alker did isn't acceptable and won't gain much sympathy, I also think it's worth remembering how other players have found the transition from rugby to regular life difficult, suffered mental health issues, and been driven to irrational actions as a result.
Sport isn't like most professions. Most professions don't take impressionable (and often not very bright) teenagers or young men, provide the promise of a "dream" career playing sport for a living, and encourage them to focus their efforts on a narrow and limited career at the expense of developing other skills and qualifications which may have more longevity. Most of us also won't be effectively forced into a career change in our mid 30s, (if they're lucky) where we'll have to start at the bottom rung of the ladder.
Whilst things have got better, I think there's a duty there to help players deal with that transition from rugby to civvy street. The armed forces has similar problems, and it causes all manner of socio-economic problems.
People are right to look at the NRL as the standard to aspire to. The sort of support that somebody like Alex McKinnon received should be the norm, not the exception.
