Better them than us.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/collingwoods-marley-williams-convicted-of-gbh-20140221-334zs.html

The legal sentence is still sub judice, but surely he has brought the game into disrepute and the "integrity department" (just love that name in the AFL context - always gives me a great laugh even in my darkest moments) will have to have some input into his playing future.

This...well there is a big campaign going on at the moment about king hits and Danny Green has been lending his name to it. Good on Danny for doing it.

The other night on FOX footy Danny was being interviewed about the campaign and Dwayne and Gerrard were right behind him particularly given Gerrard's relationship with Hookesy who fell victim to a punch as most of us would know.

Then as the broadcast continued Dwayne made mention of problems facing Murray Newman (West Coast Footballer), he didn't say what they were but by the way he was portraying it, it seemed some deep personal or family problem. I looked up the net and found that Newman's issue was that he had been found guilty of assault. Hardly anything you would think he needed to be protected about by Dwayne not mentioning it and in light of the previous interview it should have been mentioned.

Both Newman and Williams have been found guilty and are awaiting sentence. In light of how the community sees these assaults they will be lucky to not get any jail time. Given that the AFL like to uphold the integrity of the game it will be interesting to see how they handle the situation.

The important thing is that Eddie has come out and backed him. And as we all know Eddie trumps all laws and jury decisions.

The important thing is that Eddie has come out and backed him. And as we all know Eddie trumps all laws and jury decisions.

Except that the jury have had their say: as I understand it he is now awaiting sentencing.

Now Eddie may try to put in his two bob's worth with the AFL but I doubt if any WA magistrate /judge will listen to him.

Except that the jury have had their say: as I understand it he is now awaiting sentencing.

Now Eddie may try to put in his two bob's worth with the AFL but I doubt if any WA magistrate /judge will listen to him.

Me too. I was just having a dig at fat head.

A moment of madness when he decided it was 'self defence' to go smack a bloke with his arms down because the guy and his mates had jumped him in the toilets. A cowardly and stupid decision. Walking, running (these AFL players are pretty fit) or getting assistance from police or bouncers would have been the gutsy and smart decision.

Anyway I have no tolerance for these drunken cowardly assaults. But at the same time Collingwood or not he's avoided trouble since and done charity work. He's not a repeat offender who needs to be taken off our streets for good.

The judge has a tough choice whether to side with the communities need for a message to be sent or side with communities need for young guys who make mistakes to get a second chance.

But Collingwood, dear high horse cleaning out the rack pack Collingwood. They too should stick by this guy and let him get a shot at making a career and a life for himself long term. But in the short term he should be at least stood down regardless if he gets gaol time or not. He's a convicted criminal now.

Then as the broadcast continued Dwayne made mention of problems facing Murray Newman (West Coast Footballer), he didn't say what they were but by the way he was portraying it, it seemed some deep personal or family problem. I looked up the net and found that Newman's issue was that he had been found guilty of assault. Hardly anything you would think he needed to be protected about by Dwayne not mentioning it and in light of the previous interview it should have been mentioned.

Both Newman and Williams have been found guilty and are awaiting sentence. In light of how the community sees these assaults they will be lucky to not get any jail time. Given that the AFL like to uphold the integrity of the game it will be interesting to see how they handle the situation.

Newman's legal predicament is pretty simple as you say but I think there are a lot more issues in his background and involving family that he's had to work through. Doesn't excuse his criminal behaviour I'm just saying there's more behind that story I think.

Williams is a bit more straight forward. He might have been a bit of a lad around town in Albany and not exactly a clean skin but really at least since his incident he's been a good citizen and an improving player.

Newman's legal predicament is pretty simple as you say but I think there are a lot more issues in his background and involving family that he's had to work through. Doesn't excuse his criminal behaviour I'm just saying there's more behind that story I think.

Williams is a bit more straight forward. He might have been a bit of a lad around town in Albany and not exactly a clean skin but really at least since his incident he's been a good citizen and an improving player.

My sympathy level is not that high 'master' as I've been king hit from behind minding my own business by someone I didn't see coming. What ever way we do it this sort of behaviour needs to be stamped out. Maybe it should start with our so called role models (players) and influencers at the AFL.

A lot of people wanted to jump on Milne and St Kilda when he was charged and had not been found guilty then yet these guys and Scotland play on with barely a whisper. The AFL want to jump on King for hanging out with his mate, they want to influence public opinion and set the agenda on race relations and other issues, well here's something they can do now that may well make a difference.

It actually seriously pisses me off hearing that any thug has "kept out of trouble" (or not been caught) after an act of senseless violence causing serious - physical and let's not forget mental - injury so should be dealt with sympathetically. It happens all the time, and sends a message to others who may be considering such acts that the community accepts it, provided that hey keep their noses clean for a while afterwards. No wonder it isn't safe to walk the streets. Do the crime - do the time!

Edited per WJ comments

Please keep your comments to general comments and not specific concerning any player whose case might be currently pending or incomplete including where a sentence hasn't been handed down.

You could get yourself into trouble.

My sympathy level is not that high 'master' as I've been king hit from behind minding my own business by someone I didn't see coming. What ever way we do it this sort of behaviour needs to be stamped out. Maybe it should start with our so called role models (players) and influencers at the AFL.

A lot of people wanted to jump on Milne and St Kilda when he was charged and had not been found guilty then yet these guys and Scotland play on with barely a whisper. The AFL want to jump on King for hanging out with his mate, they want to influence public opinion and set the agenda on race relations and other issues, well here's something they can do now that may well make a difference.

I'm just saying that maybe the way Dwayne didn't go in to specifics about Newman is because there are more to the specifics. The more likely scenario is that Dwayne cant recall one fact from another.

At this stage all I've heard about Williams is about what happened that night via the trial and how he's been well behaved since. I wasn't necessarily saying his good behaviour should buy him much sympathy. I just wanted to highlight that there might be differences between the cases in a lot of ways. He will now get his punishment. I too have been assaulted without warning and it's a horrible feeling. The police didn't even find who did it and considering that I didn't have any obvious immediate physical trauma besides cuts and bruises to be honest they didn't care. I went off to get patched up and I had no follow up. If I ended up with a delayed medical condition my family or I probably would've had to notify the police because they weren't checking on me. Not that i blame them individually they have so many other cases to get on with. One difference between you and I and this guy Williams hit is that we were minding our own business yet Williams was earlier set upon the toilets by this guys friends.

In a lot of cases I'm all for big sentences and giving clowns who commit coward punch attacks the most we can. Same rapists and murderers and so on. But I think the Williams case deserves some proper judicial consideration when sentencing.

Must have been a good hit if he is looking at 10 years.

Must have been a good hit if he is looking at 10 years.

Fairly confident that is the high mark wyl

can be given anywhere from Zero to ten years jail time.

I would be very surprised if he more than a slap or a minimal detention.

Fairly confident that is the high mark wyl

can be given anywhere from Zero to ten years jail time.

I would be very surprised if he more than a slap or a minimal detention.

Aware of that, but 10 years gives you the idea how serious the crime is viewed.

As it should be i might add.

Aware of that, but 10 years gives you the idea how serious the crime is viewed.

As it should be i might add.

IMO ( probably worth zero in legal quarters ) you would have to kill someone to get ten.

Not sure about WA but I find it hard to believe he will get jail time.

Must have been a good hit if he is looking at 10 years.

The charge, of which he has been found guilty, is GRIEVOUS bodily harm.......that is (or should be regarded as) serious!

griev·ous adjective \ˈgrē-vəs\

: causing great sadness, suffering, or pain : very serious or severe

Full Definition of GRIEVOUS

1

: causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or sorrow <a grievous wound> <a grievous loss>

2

: oppressive, onerous <grievous costs of war>

3

: serious, grave <grievous fault>

The charge, of which he has been found guilty, is GRIEVOUS bodily harm.......that is (or should be regarded as) serious!

griev·ous adjective \ˈgrē-vəs\

: causing great sadness, suffering, or pain : very serious or severe

Full Definition of GRIEVOUS

1

: causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or sorrow <a grievous wound> <a grievous loss>

2

: oppressive, onerous <grievous costs of war>

3

: serious, grave <grievous fault>

It is a higher charge than common assault for example.

The charge, of which he has been found guilty, is GRIEVOUS bodily harm.......that is (or should be regarded as) serious!

griev·ous adjective \ˈgrē-vəs\

: causing great sadness, suffering, or pain : very serious or severe

Full Definition of GRIEVOUS

1

: causing or characterized by severe pain, suffering, or sorrow <a grievous wound> <a grievous loss>

2

: oppressive, onerous <grievous costs of war>

3

: serious, grave <grievous fault>

Yep.

I'm just saying that maybe the way Dwayne didn't go in to specifics about Newman is because there are more to the specifics. The more likely scenario is that Dwayne cant recall one fact from another.

At this stage all I've heard about Williams is about what happened that night via the trial and how he's been well behaved since. I wasn't necessarily saying his good behaviour should buy him much sympathy. I just wanted to highlight that there might be differences between the cases in a lot of ways. He will now get his punishment. I too have been assaulted without warning and it's a horrible feeling. The police didn't even find who did it and considering that I didn't have any obvious immediate physical trauma besides cuts and bruises to be honest they didn't care. I went off to get patched up and I had no follow up. If I ended up with a delayed medical condition my family or I probably would've had to notify the police because they weren't checking on me. Not that i blame them individually they have so many other cases to get on with. One difference between you and I and this guy Williams hit is that we were minding our own business yet Williams was earlier set upon the toilets by this guys friends.

In a lot of cases I'm all for big sentences and giving clowns who commit coward punch attacks the most we can. Same rapists and murderers and so on. But I think the Williams case deserves some proper judicial consideration when sentencing.

I think you are right with Dwayne, he would have been better off shutting his mouth but that's almost an impossibility for him.

...and you're also right about our circumstances (not knowing the attacker), he obviously had some history with his.

I do think the AFL pick and choose their issues a bit too much though which might surprise no one here. This is an issue they really need to get on board with, maybe they should stand a player down for a period of time.

On another note I love that Eddie has become the self appointed judge and jury on this one, I didn't know he was there when the incident happened.

Hi. My name is Eddie Mcguire. We at collingwood abhor violence.

But we will stand but this guy who has just been found guilty

I find it interesting that this story hasn't been nearly as big as who Jake King hangs out with.

I find it interesting that this story hasn't been nearly as big as who Jake King hangs out with.

Will AD warn Collingwood that their players shouldn't hang out with a convicted crim?

This is a list from the WA of convictions in appeals on GBH cases and, whilst these are not necessarily identical to the one under discussion, it's noteworthy that only one got away without a prison sentence - GBH.

It's a serious crime and sentences are tough.

This is a list from the WA of convictions in appeals on GBH cases and, whilst these are not necessarily identical to the one under discussion, it's noteworthy that only one got away without a prison sentence - GBH.

It's a serious crime and sentences are tough.

As they should be, with too many families losing a son/brother etc, from a drunken/drugged/just plain stupid, thug's, mindless unprovoked violence.