Apr 3rd, 2019

Apr 3rd, 2019

Manly legend Brett Stewart has questioned the validity of the NRL's no fault policy, saying the game is ignoring player welfare by standing down players who should be seen as innocent before they're proven guilty.

The NRL introduced the no fault policy for players charged with serious offences, resulting in the player being stood down ­before the matter has proceeded to court, in light of several players facing criminal charges over the off season.

Stewart 'baffled by the NRL's no fault policy. (AAP)

Stewart told News Corp, he was baffled’’ by the new rule in relation to the Dragons’ Jack de Belin, with the former Manly fullback admitting the case brings back bad memories relating to criminal charges he faced a decade ago, of which he was proven innocent by jury.

Stewart said he was “heartbroken” at being stood down from playing ­before 2009 sexual assault ­allegations leveled against him reached court.

“The last time I checked it was innocent until proven guilty,” Stewart said.

Jack De Belin (middle) has been charged with aggravated sexual assault but has pleaded not guilty. (AAP)

“I have been there,” he said. “I can’t speak on anyone’s ­behalf — or on Jack de Belin’s behalf — but I can speak from what I went through.

“How the NRL thinks they can do that … this is me talking … it baffles me.

“No one really knows what has happened. My thinking would be to let the accused go through court and let them then find out whether he is guilty or not. How can you penalise him before he has been to court?

“He will be trialled twice. You’d think they would have learned a few things from my case. From the outside looking in, it doesn’t seem like they have.

Outside court in 2010. (AAP)

“I don’t know what it’s going to take before they put the player first.

“I know it’s a serious charge but has the NRL thought about player welfare? I’m not sure.”

Stewart was suspended for four games before the case was heard in court. After a 10-day trial, the 12-member jury took less than two hours to exonerate the ex-Manly fullback, who retired in 2016. Considering how his case unfolded, Stewart said the NRL needed to approach the situation with more care for the player, especially since the impact of such allegations can last a lifetime.

One of Manly's favourite sons. (AAP)

“I know it’s the least of my worries but those four games I was suspended, they can’t give you those games back. You can’t take it back.

“And that’s not to mention what it’s done to my family. There will always be something burning inside me, for sure, but I will keep moving forward. People probably forget about it because I’m not around or they don’t see me like they used to but it’s part of my make-up now.

“I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me or anything like that. It’s part of my life but I think there a few things maybe they (NRL) could do a little bit better.”