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Mason, Myles stood down by Roosters

By Steve Jancetic 30/03/2009 08:09:07 PM Comments (0)

Sydney Roosters coach Brad Fittler was adamant axed duo Willie Mason and Nate Myles let down their teammates by deliberately flouting the club's alcohol policy.

The representative pair on Monday owned up to drinking in their homes on Sunday against the club alcohol policy that limits players to drinking only the day after matches.

Both players were immediately stood down for Friday night's clash against Parramatta, but Fittler would not elaborate just how the club found out that the pair had indulged.

They were not breath tested and only owned up after being question by Fittler.

"The question was asked, it's irrelevant why the question was asked, two blokes put their hand up," Fittler said.

Mason and Myles will turn out for the Roosters' NSW Cup feeder side Newtown this weekend with their Roosters teammates appearing to be the biggest losers, given the pair knew exactly what the punishment would be for having, apparently, just a few drinks.

"They let down the coach, they've let down their mates," Fittler said.

"Alcohol is a big issue in rugby league and society, we try to put these rules in order to give players less grey areas, more black and white, and we're disappointed with the two players.

"I'm disappointed because lately the Roosters have been in the headlines whether fairly or unfairly, I think pretty unfairly with all the scrutiny they've been under, but this is why we make these rules."

Chief executive Steve Noyce doubted the pair had deliberately flouted the club's strict alcohol stance, despite the knowledge former teammate David Shillington had received the same punishment for a similar transgression last year.

"I don't know that you sit down and go into that in depth," Noyce said of Mason and Myles contemplating the punishment before drinking.

"At the end of the day they were in the wrong, they understand that, they've put their hands up and we've put our hands up.

"They've made a bad choice.

"Both players only had minimum amounts of alcohol, both consumed within their own homes, but our rules are black and white.

"The guys appreciate and understand that they have broken the rules and have to pay the consequences.

"They're disappointed, we're disappointed, Brad (coach Brad Fittler) is disappointed, but we can't change that. What we've got to do is regroup and stay focused on the Parramatta game this week."

Fittler said both would come under consideration for selection for the club's Good Friday match against Brisbane.

"I don't hold grudges - the players will come back, they'll bounce back if they want to be here which I know they both want to, and we'll get on with it."

Meanwhile the Bulldogs will investigate an altercation between young players Jamal Idris and Ben Barba at Wentworthville League Club on Saturday night.

It is alleged they had a push and shove following a disagreement before both were escorted from the premises.

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