Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo wants NRL to reassess match review system after Jacob Preston's four-match ban
What would have been a $1500 fine for his grade-1 crusher tackle on Gold Coast's Tino Fa'asuamaleaui turned into the monster ban because of two previous grade-1 offences already this season.
Preston was staring at a minimum three-match ban with an early plea, but that became four after he and the Bulldogs lost their fight at the judiciary on Tuesday.
Ciraldo said the offence paled in comparison to other incidents that had drawn four-week bans, and said the way the cumulative effect came into play should be reviewed.
'Obviously, I don't think Jacob deserved four weeks. We went and fought that and got a fair hearing,' the coach said.
'It is what it is but if you look at the things that have got four weeks in the past, I think it's a bit unfair for Jacob to get four weeks.
'The first couple (of charges this season) as well, he only took the early guilty plea just to pay the cash and avoid missing a week (under) suspension.
'You end up agreeing to a $1500 fine and try and move on from it, and then a couple of weeks later you're getting a four-week suspension. I don't think it's ideal.'
Preston will miss this weekend's top-of-the-table away clash against Canberra this Saturday as well as matches against the Sydney Roosters, Dolphins and Parramatta.
Ciraldo said the back-rower was 'shattered'.
'(Preston) is pretty shattered, you look at some of the games that are coming up in that period and they're big games, they're really important for us as a football club,' Ciraldo said.
Preston won't play again until after the opening State of Origin game and would then look to press his claims for game two.
He joins suspended teammates Sitili Tupouniua and Josh Curran in missing the clash with the Raiders.
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ABC News
23 minutes ago
- ABC News
Childcare giant Goodstart failed to report worker who was later investigated for alleged sexual assaults
An ABC investigation has revealed a regional Victorian childcare worker has been accused of sexually assaulting two children and allegedly grooming a foster child in his care. The investigation has revealed Goodstart Early Learning Centre is aware of 12 allegations against the male worker dating back to September 2023, including two parents who reported the man allegedly sexually assaulted their children while working at the centre. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, worked at five Goodstart Early Learning Centres in the regional Victorian city of Ballarat between December 2020 and April 2025. The ABC can reveal the centre's director was informed of allegations of sexual behaviour, potential grooming and boundary crossing towards a foster child in the male worker's care around September 2023. Goodstart said in a statement to the ABC these allegations were never reported "at all". The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing has been contacted for comment on whether the man remains a foster carer. Victoria Police investigated allegations the worker sexually assaulted two children while changing their nappies in 2024, but recently concluded there was insufficient evidence for a successful criminal prosecution. Victoria's early childhood Regulatory Authority (Quality and Assessment Regulatory Division) said it was investigating Goodstart Early Learning. "While this investigation is underway, it is inappropriate to comment," a Department of Education spokesperson said. The male childcare worker was suspended with pay in July 2024 and then fired in April after the state government's Quality Assessment and Regulation division (QARD) prohibited him from working in early learning as a result of one of the allegations against him. The ABC understands he continues to hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC), despite Goodstart Early Learning Centre writing to the state government on multiple occasions in 2024 regarding the alleged offending. In a statement, Goodstart Early Learning Centre chief executive Ros Baxter said an internal investigator had been hired to "ensure no stone is left unturned". "Goodstart now knows that a centre director repeatedly failed in their obligations to report allegations made to them about this person. We terminated their employment for that failure," Dr Baxter said. "I am always devastated to learn of instances where individual staff members breach our strict reporting policies. "But our response in this case demonstrates how seriously Goodstart treats reporting, and our responsibility to keep children safe." The investigation comes as the Victorian government prepares to release its response to the "rapid review" of child care, following allegations of sexual assault by Joshua Dale Brown within a Melbourne childcare centre. Lisa is the mother of one of two children allegedly sexually assaulted by the worker. She said she received the worst call of her life in September 2024 when a manager from Goodstart Early Learning Centre told her police were investigating alleged inappropriate conduct by a male educator. "I straight out asked if it involved sexual assault, and the person on the phone at that time said yes," said Lisa, who is not using her real name. Lisa said she asked her daughter if there was anyone she "didn't like" at child care. Her daughter named the male worker. "She said that this person always wanted to change her nappy, and that when they did last time, that they held her down by her shoulders and assaulted her, and that she screamed," she said. "A two-year-old isn't going to come up with those words on their own." In a subsequent phone call, Lisa said a senior manager at the centre denied the matter was sexual in nature. "I said that I was going to call the police, and she said not to do that and to just send her an email. I knew straight away that that was not right," she said. In her statement to police, seen by the ABC, Lisa told police her daughter said the male worker was "scary" and "always wants to change my nappy". She told her mother the male worker penetrated her with his finger while changing her nappy. "It really hurt, I screamed out," the statement from the child read. The ABC understands a second child from the centre made similar allegations to their parents about the man's actions during nappy changes. Victoria Police told Lisa a person had been interviewed regarding the allegations, and that police would look into the matter again if further evidence became available. Steve (not his real name) said he knew something was not right when he picked up his daughter from the centre in question in August 2023. Inside, he saw the male childcare worker lying on a mat "whilst multiple children lay on top of him and played and jumped all over him", he recounted in a complaint to the management. His email complaint to the centre, as seen by the ABC, is understood to be the first Goodstart received regarding the male educator. "They were holding his mouth and his face, and were laying and jumping and or sitting on his stomach and groin," he wrote in that August 2023 email. Speaking to the ABC, Steve said the educator's behaviour left him shocked, "uneasy and uncomfortable". "I didn't think children should be playing with a male educator and sitting on his lap while he's lying on his back," Steve said. He received an assurance from Goodstart centre management that "all appropriate investigations have taken place." He was furious to learn nothing had been done with his initial complaint in 2023. "It made me feel sick to my stomach, and then angry really," he said. "Angry at Goodstart, angry at him, and then angry at myself for putting my daughter back in that situation." Goodstart confirmed the man had worked at five of its centres in the Ballarat area: Wendouree, Mount Helen, Mount Clear, Delacombe and Alfredton. The company said the man had been fired and that the centre director had also been let go for "serious misconduct". The company eventually passed Steve's complaint on to Victoria Police and the Victorian Children's Commissioner, but it came in August 2024, about one year after the matter was first brought to their attention. In a statement to the ABC, Goodstart blamed the scandal on a former centre director, whom it said had failed to properly report the allegations against the male worker. The company released a statement noting that since the police investigation had concluded, it was now free to launch its own detailed investigation into the matter. "The toll on the families, and the many wonderful educators who worked at that centre, during this investigation has been immense. My heart goes out to them all," Dr Baxter said. "Goodstart will continue to learn all possible lessons from the investigation and we will share the findings with Victoria's regulators." Goodstart was highly critical of Victoria Police, claiming in a statement it had asked police to investigate the allegations, which police had repeatedly declined. Victoria Police has been contacted for comment. The childcare company also said it was not advised when the worker was issued with a prohibition order by the Victorian Education Department, despite the worker still being employed (but suspended) by Goodstart. Goodstart's CEO said she had personally written to the Victorian Department of Government Services asking it to revoke the man's Working with Children Check. The Department of Government Services declined to comment. "We condemn the reporting failings of a Goodstart staff member. Once reporting occurred, we took all the right steps. And we have learned from this case and will keep learning," Dr Baxter said. "But the pain of … families and staff will be in vain if we do not all learn its lessons." As for Lisa, she was horrified to learn she was not the first to complain about the man. "Knowing that there were multiple allegations before my child had even started makes me sick," she said. "Because if the public had known, if I had known, I never would have put my child in a place like that."
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Boks hit by injury blows for second test with Australia
As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday. As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday. As if the pain of a first defeat to Australia at Ellis Park in 62 years was not enough, South Africa face a heavy injury toll from the 38-22 defeat in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener, with captain Siya Kolisi sidelined for an extended period. Kolisi suffered a knee injury as Australia rallied from 22 points down in a stunning second-half display and is out of the second test in Cape Town on Saturday and likely the two-match tour to New Zealand that follows. Loose-forward Pieter-Steph du Toit suffered a concussion in the weekend loss and will also miss the second game as he goes through return-to-play protocols. Both wings from the loss, Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle), are also out of this coming weekend. That should be tempered by the return from injury of experienced wing Cheslin Kolbe. Inside centre Damian de Allende, an important cog in the backline, is also set to be fit after missing Saturday's loss. Coach Rassie Erasmus said the team are aware of their shortcomings at Ellis Park as they tried to move the ball too expansively and were picked off by a clinical Australia. "We had a proper meeting and the feeling is frustration," he said on Monday. "But at least we know what we did wrong. That's the most important thing. They totally outplayed us. "If you play beautiful rugby and you lose, you lose. If you play boring rugby and you win, then people are happy. We were totally on the wrong side of that balance on Saturday, and that is not because (attack coach) Tony (Brown) coaches that way. "You tend to think things are easy and there is so much space. Then a proud country like Australia take their opportunities." South Africa will name their second test side on Tuesday.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Dewald and dew a potential Aussie headache in ODIs
The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow." The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow." The dew and a bloke dubbed 'Baby AB' loom as Australia's two biggest obstacles when their three-match ODI series against South Africa gets underway in Cairns on Tuesday. Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 off 36 balls in the deciding game three of the T20 series helped Australia wrap up a 2-1 victory in that format on Saturday night. Maxwell hit the game-winning four with the penultimate delivery to secure the thrilling two-wicket victory in Cairns. But it wasn't the only talking point to come out of the match, with the dew and the explosive hitting from South African rising star Dewald Brevis also notable. Brevis followed up his unbeaten 125 off 56 balls in game two with a thumping 53 off 26 balls in game three, with the 22-year-old striking Aaron Hardie for four consecutive sixes. The man dubbed 'Baby AB' in reference to South African great AB de Villiers looks set to be handed his ODI debut for Tuesday's series opener to give him a chance to inflict more pain on the Aussies. The dewy outfield in Cairns also wreaked havoc - mostly for the South Africans given they had to bowl second. At the beginning of the crucial 18th over and with Australia still requiring 27 runs for victory, South African paceman Kagiso Rabada unleashed a beamer that flew more than a metre above Maxwell's head and through to the wicketkeeper without bouncing. Rabada looked at his hand in disbelief immediately after the mishap, and his subsequent free hit was struck for six by Maxwell as Australia set sail for victory. Dew was also an issue in Darwin at the start of the T20 series and it could be a factor yet again for the ODI opener at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on Tuesday. Australia captain Mitch Marsh, who has elected to bowl first in all 20 of his coin toss wins across ODIs and T20 internationals, is aware of the dew factor. "We saw the ball get really soft in Darwin," Marsh said on Monday. "Playing with dew is not something we're used to in Australia, so that's been a challenge for us. "Hopefully there's not too much dew and it's an even ball game." Games two and three of the ODI series will be played at the recently refurbished Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia's most recent ODI match was their semi-final loss to India at the Champions Trophy in March. Maxwell and Steve Smith have since retired from the format, Spencer Johnson and Matt Short are currently injured, while Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sean Abbott and Tanveer Sangha haven't been selected for the upcoming ODI series. With the T20s out of the way, South Africa have welcomed in captain Temba Bavuma, veteran spinner Keshav Maharaj and recent Test triple-centurion Wiaan Mulder, as well as top-order batters Matthew Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi. Marsh is captaining the Australian side in the ODIs due to the absence of Pat Cummins, who is busy preparing for this summer's Ashes series. Despite the euphoria of the T20 series win, Australia's players have quickly reset their focus for the ODIs. "We start the series fresh, we start the series 0-0," Marsh said. "We know these shorter series it's really important to get off to a (fast) start, so hopefully that's the case tomorrow."
