I’m all for giving people a second chance in life.
Redemption stories are a huge part of who we are as rugby league people.
As a game, we’ve often pulled blokes out of deep holes and given them another shot when they’ve gone off the rails.
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And, on most occasions, we’ve been rewarded when that player grabs his opportunity and turns his life around.
But as for handing out third chances, you can leave me out of that.
That’s where I draw a line.
It’s why I believe Parramatta has no choice but to punt star winger Josh Addo-Carr should he suspended for testing positive to using cocaine.
The word on the street is the Foxx is facing a 12-match ban after a random roadside test detected the white stuff in his system.
All parties are now awaiting the results of a B-sample, which will be made available in the next fortnight or so.
If it goes the way most expect, the Eels face a line-in-the-sand moment as a club.
It will be the second time Addo-Carr has been guilty of the same offence.
The same thing happened when he was at Canterbury and the Dogs didn’t muck around.
Gus quickly showed him the door.
The Eels swooped and offered him a lifeline, but this bloke is clearly a slow learner.
You think being given a second chance – not to mention a $450,000-a-year contract – would be enough for him to keep his nose clean.
If he’s found guilty of this latest charge, the Foxx has run out of chances.
I don’t care if he’s a good bloke with a funny laugh who visit sick kids in hospital.
That means jack shit in this particular situation.
Parramatta has been in the doldrums for years, with the 40th anniversary of their last premiership win passing last month.
Coach Jason Ryles is desperately trying to end that drought while at the same time establish himself as an elite NRL coach.
Discipline is key to that and Addo-Carr’s actions are a middle finger to his teammates, fans and Ryles.
Not only should he be sacked, the NRL has to ensure he’s not given a saloon passage back to the game at another club.
The punishment should not end at a 12-game suspension.
What sort of message would it send if the 31-year-old runs out in an opposition’s colours halfway through next season?
What he is alleged to have done for a second time – drive on our roads with an illicit drug in his system – is not something that should be rewarded with another juicy contract.
Missing games is one thing but nothing hits a player harder than having his income taken from him.
Addo-Carr entered a rehab centre after this latest episode and you can only hope he received the help – and continues to seek that assistance – as he rebuilds his life once again.
But top-level rugby league shouldn’t be part of the recovery process if we’re fair dinkum about sending a strong message.
And don’t get me started
Where did the World Cup go?
After a crazy good first round of the men’s tournament, the second weekend was so low profile many fans were unaware games we’re on.
Even the great Gus Gould had to go on social media to ask fans if matches were being broadcast.
I had to look it up myself but the four games that were played were all won by teams paying around $1.05 with bookmakers.
Tonga belted Lebanon, Samoa towelled up PNG, England put 82 on France and New Zealand thumped the Cook Islands.
At least Fiji put up a brave fight against Australia 36-22 to round things off.
They saved what was otherwise a predictable and boring weekend of footy.
We all know there is a lack of depth in international rugby league past the top four or five nations and blow outs are expected.
Maybe in future World Cups we need to stand those top countries aside and let the rest fight it out in a pre-Cup tournament.
The winner could then join the big boys at the business end of the tournament.
Something to think about as we wait for the knockout stage to roll around.
At least we’ve got the Samoa-Tonga clash to look forward to this week.
That’s one encounter that never disappoints.
I’ll definitely be tuning in for that showdown.
The winner of that game, I believe, is capable of going on to win the whole thing.
NZ and Australia look a touch vulnerable to me and those Pasifika nations won’t get a much better chance to win international rugby league’s biggest prize.
As for the women’s World Cup, wake me up when it’s over.
Something is seriously wrong when the number one ranked team (Australia) can beat number three team (England) 78-0.
