I like the cut of Marley Williams' jib

[woftam]

[woftam]

[Bucks5]

It doesn't look good for Marley at all.

This is a summary of WA sentences for GBH. All of them were imprisoned except for one case back in 1999.

http://www.dpp.wa.gov.au/_files/GBHs_297.pdf

[John Wren]

[pablo]

I don't really know the details of the case at hand, including claimed provocation, etc., so not necessarily commenting on this specific case.

However.... in these circumstances, if there is a grey area I really think we need to err on the side of law and order. If it's grey, put the offender in jail, even if it is just months.

The consequences of these sorts of punches are simply devasting and need to be discouraged forcefully. I don't really care whether the nature of the punch is cowardly or as part of a 'fair fight', the onus and duty of care should be on the puncher.

In addition to harsh judicial intervention, we need a comprehensive education program in schools and tv, social media, etc. supported by high profile Australians.

So back to this case....

If it is a grey area, he should serve jail time IMO.

The club should stand by him (depending on the length of the sentance). Bare in mind no other employer would stand by him, including many other AFL clubs. But, they could acheive some community good by placing him at the centre of an education campaign. Might be uncomfortable for Marley, but that's the cost of Side-by-Side, not always easy.

[GoWoodsmen]

I'm torn on this .. And I guess it comes down to how much truth there is in the provocation story. If he went him with no provocation give him the maximum sentence. I'm sick of these coward punches as much as everyone else. If, however, he was attacked (and that may be the key,,, was he attacked or merely verbally assaulted).

As a parent I'm teaching my kids (as most of my parents group friends do) don't you dare throw the first punch but if someone hits you you defend yourself - which usually involves hitting back. I guess as kids you don't have to worry about broken jaws.

It strikes me though that there is a distinct chance this is one of those circumstances where a scumbag has picked a fight for god knows what reason, and when he's been hit and suffered an injury (non life threatening BUT like so many what if he'd fallen on the concrete and hit his head) he's then gone crying to the police. We'll never know.

Certainly doesn't sound good for Marley. Looks like one of our locked in back six will be changing. Do we have anyone remotely as tough as him to step in and fill the breach?

[partypie]

I hope the club is drumming it in now to all the players to call the club if they get into trouble, exercise your right to say nothing until there is legal representation. I have lived in sw wa for more than 20 years and have seen how the system operates. It is harsh and racist. People in their armchairs in Melbourne have no idea what it is like, including the provocation Marley may have endured.
However, Marley is young, he was provoked, he has a bright future as a sportsman, and if he has had no previous offences, there may be a reluctance to jail him if there is an alternative.

[Wokko]

The bit that I don't understand was the whole standing with crossed arms being non threatening. It's a pretty common stance for someone expecting a confrontation and in no way inhibits someone from being aggressive or starting a fight. It's one of the things to look out for that says you're about to be attacked (not looking you in the eye is the other one).

To me it read like pre-emptive self defence, but I wasn't on the jury so unless I want to interview Marley myself I'll probably never know. FWIW, if he felt threatened it's better he spends a year in jail than have died or ended up in hospital himself. We have a shameful attitude towards self defence in this country.

[swoop42]

While I accept and to be honest partly expected this outcome I do hope we would have got the same verdict if he played for West Coast or Fremantle.

[swoop42]

[swoop42]

[Brenny]

Sorry, didn't see this thread initially.

They said on the news this morning that Marley pleaded self-defence after being assaulted in the bathroom earlier in the night.

Doesn't sound like he had a very strong case, to me.

I don't think he will get jail time but rather a good behaviour bond and a decent fine.

I reckon they will go down the line of outstanding community work and good behavior since and all that jazz bla bla bla.

[Bob Sugar]

[watt price tully]

[3rd degree]

No good, he was always going to run the gauntlet going to trial. W.A. is a tough place for sentencing. I hope the club stands by the lad. I know he shouldn't have done what he did, but we are all human and stuff up.