Sandy Campbell

[John Corey]

I remember he was a slim flyer for the Dogs. Had a great yr and we pinched him. He bulked up big with muscle in the off-season and turned up slower and I thought he was very average for us. Seem to remember hearing he bulked up coz he was modelling or something like that. Catwalk.

Sad story. Hope he gets the help.

[roostersrule2]

oh come on… no one is saying the have to…. It’s a unique situation where people at a young age are earning good coin and getting great coin. Of course they don’t have to but it’s the right thing to do and if you want to encourage other young kids to proximate in the sport than this is a great example of what it can do

The problem is having a rugby league career is already a massive privilege, people act as if the game owes them something and it doesn’t, 99% of players should be totally indebted for what the sport gave to them. I’m sick of seeing players and ex-players treat RL as if the sport is some burden to them that ruined their life.

Look at Harry Grants comments about ‘people on the tools’ earning more than NRL rookies, has he never heard of an apprentice? They’re on $10 an hour lol, with no sponsorship deals for free equipment, no instagram following to do ads and promos. Hell you can literally have nothing but a very good junior RL career and fail in the actual grades and still make a decent living in England or RU.

I’m not saying the NRL shouldn’t help this fella or ex players, it’s just when it’s seen as an employer right for them to keep wiping the ass of every player for their entire life, it’s a bit much considering the benefits to an NRL career.

[Kelby]

How long does an ex employer need to help someone after they finish up with them ?

I know my ex-employer wouldn't help me out if I needed it, so why is sport different?

[Bondicigar]

What's wrong with helping someone up when there down?
be it the NRL or his mates and the community

[ism22]

What's wrong with helping someone up when there down?
be it the NRL or his mates and the community

Agreed. I was never good enough for NRL but it's a close community from what I observe and the experience impacts everybody differently... many end up with damaged bodies/brains and not a lot of money.

I dunno Sandy Campbell as a person but Wikipedia says he played 5 years of NRL.. with some being 50:50 between reserve grade and NRL. His career ended with him being dropped by Souffs and not finding another contract. Doubt he made a killing outta it!

If he's homeless and wants support, then my human instinct says he should get it. I was never good enough for NRL and have NFI what it does to your mind/body (if anything in his case). However, he's part of the community and it probably wouldn't take THAT much to find him a basic apartment, a few good meals and some cancer treatment in Coolangatta.

[Easts75]

What's wrong with helping someone up when there down?
be it the NRL or his mates and the community

100% agree, i just dont think it should be a given the NRL has to

Also, not to kick a bloke at rock bottom, from my experience most people in this situation have burnt friends and loved ones numerous times and thats why they find themselves ostracised

[ism22]

100% agree, i just dont think it should be a given the NRL has to

Also, not to kick a bloke at rock bottom, from my experience most people in this situation have burnt friends and loved ones numerous times and thats why they find themselves ostracised

Fair point, That's sorta the unspoken language in what I said...

- I dunno the guy at all so what do I know? For the purpose of discussing him, I'm gonna assume the best. Having grown up in Paddington (pre-hipsters), I saw homelessness every day and got to know a range of characters who never harmed me as a kid. At some point I don't really care how they got there... they're humans and I care about them! Further, I've been homeless so am well aware that ANYBODY can end up homeless.

- IF he wants help then I can't see why a $1 billion organisation shouldn't offer-up some of the basics (for starters, send a social worker around to ask 'how ya going mate? Anything we can help you with?'). Maybe they already have? See my point above... I dunno who they are, or care other than knowing they're part of the Roosters' family.

- As a side story, people may be familiar with the story of porn star Jenni Lee being found living in tunnels underneath Vegas (drug addicted, no teeth...etc). Fans put together a heap of cash to get her back on the straight and she didn't want it... or any kinda help, especially when it meant having to ditch her boyfriend/dealer. Here's why I like to offer people a chance. My biggest life lesson has been that you can only help yourself (not others)... but it's nice to give people the opportunity. If they then wanna p!ss it away then that's another story.

---

The above said... I fully respect that people wanna see money going to (for example) Stapo or Mose rather than say Meehan / Gordon / LOD / Kennedy / Carter / Garvey...etc (guys I've followed a bit more closely than the Sandman & can confirm made what my son would call some 'sad choices').

The reality of life, however, is that it's not always an 'either/or' scenario. So long as there's enough money to support Mose / Stapo (which there is)... I think hitting rock bottom is a fair indication that somebody's already paid the price for any 'sad choices' they mighta made. If they WANT help with the basics then IMO it should always be on offer.

[NorfolkStreetKid]

I would much rather see the NRL have plans put in place early in careers for players to secure their future financial security than having to rescue former players when they are down and out.
No one wants to see people living on the street .
Ofcourse these ex players often have concentrated all their efforts in sport and have few other skills to fall back on once their ability to earn a living from sport is over, which for many of them is while they are still in their 20's.
If the NRL, or the clubs they played for, or organisations such as Men of League offer assistance that's fine, but there are circumstances and situations which the individual has to take responsibility for.
Handouts don't help everyone.

[Rooster36]

I know my ex-employer wouldn't help me out if I needed it, so why is sport different?

im with you let let the loser die

[Mickie Lane]

im with you let let the loser die

Im glad I dont know you.

[King Salvo]

As a youngster back in the early 80's when working at Castlereagh street I used to walk through Belmore Park on the way to Central Station and see a lot of these homeless folk.

The old Mission Australia vans would turn up trying to get some of them to go back with them so they could get a feed / bed/ shower/ change or wash their clothes/medical check etc.

One time walking through Belmore Park I was close enough to some of the Mission Australia folk to tell them why bother doing what your doing as they don't want your help - just bring a few slabs of beer and a few pizza's etc each night.

One of the Mission Australia workers got a bit upset by me saying that and asked if I had some time to meet some of these folk and know about their story.

Ah Okay then - mmm there were people who had good jobs/Businesses/homes/families and what not who for whatever reason ended up in this predicament.

The stereotyping of homeless people being metho drinkers/ alco's/druggo's/lazy etc was far from the truth for quite a number of these folk.

All it can take is someone losing their job / marriage breakup/ violent household/ bankruptcy etc and things can spiral out of control rather quickly and they could end on the street as well.

It could happen to anyone of us in reality being homeless - Look at the debt a lot of households have - Australia has the 5th Highest amount of Household debt in the World at around $86.392 per household

Rank	Country	Household debt	Disposable income	Debt as a % of disposable income
1	Norway	$106,274	$43,149	246.30%
2	Denmark	$93,426	$38,271	244.11%
3	Netherlands	$87,978	$38,552	228.20%
4	Switzerland	$95,638	$43,062	222.09%
5	Australia	$86,392	$42,554	203.02%
6	Sweden	$74,713	$37,709	200.78%
7	South Korea	$56,875	$28,339	200.70%
8	Luxembourg	$93,298	$49,861	187.12%
9	Canada	$71,285	$38,404	185.62%
10	Finland	$57,249	$37,127	154.20%

https://au.news.yahoo.com/australias...kBMZKt7XXcucn5

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Im glad I dont know you.

Its satire Mick.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

As a youngster back in the early 80's when working at Castlereagh street I used to walk through Belmore Park on the way to Central Station and see a lot of these homeless folk.

The old Mission Australia vans would turn up trying to get some of them to go back with them so they could get a feed / bed/ shower/ change or wash their clothes/medical check etc.

One time walking through Belmore Park I was close enough to some of the Mission Australia folk to tell them why bother doing what your doing as they don't want your help - just bring a few slabs of beer and a few pizza's etc each night.

One of the Mission Australia workers got a bit upset by me saying that and asked if I had some time to meet some of these folk and know about their story.

Ah Okay then - mmm there were people who had good jobs/Businesses/homes/families and what not who for whatever reason ended up in this predicament.

The stereotyping of homeless people being metho drinkers/ alco's/druggo's/lazy etc was far from the truth for quite a number of these folk.

All it can take is someone losing their job / marriage breakup/ violent household/ bankruptcy etc and things can spiral out of control rather quickly and they could end on the street as well.

It could happen to anyone of us in reality being homeless - Look at the debt a lot of households have - Australia has the 5th Highest amount of Household debt in the World at around $86.392 per household

Rank	Country	Household debt	Disposable income	Debt as a % of disposable income
1	Norway	$106,274	$43,149	246.30%
2	Denmark	$93,426	$38,271	244.11%
3	Netherlands	$87,978	$38,552	228.20%
4	Switzerland	$95,638	$43,062	222.09%
5	Australia	$86,392	$42,554	203.02%
6	Sweden	$74,713	$37,709	200.78%
7	South Korea	$56,875	$28,339	200.70%
8	Luxembourg	$93,298	$49,861	187.12%
9	Canada	$71,285	$38,404	185.62%
10	Finland	$57,249	$37,127	154.20%

https://au.news.yahoo.com/australias...kBMZKt7XXcucn5

Great post by the King. It can happen to anyone.

[ism22]

As a youngster back in the early 80's when working at Castlereagh street I used to walk through Belmore Park on the way to Central Station and see a lot of these homeless folk.

The old Mission Australia vans would turn up trying to get some of them to go back with them so they could get a feed / bed/ shower/ change or wash their clothes/medical check etc.

One time walking through Belmore Park I was close enough to some of the Mission Australia folk to tell them why bother doing what your doing as they don't want your help - just bring a few slabs of beer and a few pizza's etc each night.

One of the Mission Australia workers got a bit upset by me saying that and asked if I had some time to meet some of these folk and know about their story.

Ah Okay then - mmm there were people who had good jobs/Businesses/homes/families and what not who for whatever reason ended up in this predicament.

The stereotyping of homeless people being metho drinkers/ alco's/druggo's/lazy etc was far from the truth for quite a number of these folk.

All it can take is someone losing their job / marriage breakup/ violent household/ bankruptcy etc and things can spiral out of control rather quickly and they could end on the street as well.

It could happen to anyone of us in reality being homeless - Look at the debt a lot of households have - Australia has the 5th Highest amount of Household debt in the World at around $86.392 per household

Rank	Country	Household debt	Disposable income	Debt as a % of disposable income
1	Norway	$106,274	$43,149	246.30%
2	Denmark	$93,426	$38,271	244.11%
3	Netherlands	$87,978	$38,552	228.20%
4	Switzerland	$95,638	$43,062	222.09%
5	Australia	$86,392	$42,554	203.02%
6	Sweden	$74,713	$37,709	200.78%
7	South Korea	$56,875	$28,339	200.70%
8	Luxembourg	$93,298	$49,861	187.12%
9	Canada	$71,285	$38,404	185.62%
10	Finland	$57,249	$37,127	154.20%

https://au.news.yahoo.com/australias...kBMZKt7XXcucn5

Yeah exactly mate!!!

People don't believe I was 'really' homeless as I'm doing alright, my voice is articulate, I keep clean and have never touched drugs or anything.

But yeah... I was totally homeless after my divorce. I had a '94 Toyota Vienta with a blown head gasket, was paying the majority of my paycheque into my ex's bank account (to 'support' our daughter - in reality my ex was openly just blowing it all while laughing at me) and had about $100 a fortnight for food/transport/entertainment.

I found my feet but nobody pictures themself couch surfing. Then... nobody pictures themself sleeping in their car / a park (while keeping up appearances by pretending to ride into work so you can shower there and be 'normal').

You become an inconvenience to everybody and everybody thinks they know your story. I dunno... again, I dunno this guy's story. However, it's resulted in him being homeless. That's enough for me to give a shyte.

[Insider]

As a youngster back in the early 80's when working at Castlereagh street I used to walk through Belmore Park on the way to Central Station and see a lot of these homeless folk.

The old Mission Australia vans would turn up trying to get some of them to go back with them so they could get a feed / bed/ shower/ change or wash their clothes/medical check etc.

One time walking through Belmore Park I was close enough to some of the Mission Australia folk to tell them why bother doing what your doing as they don't want your help - just bring a few slabs of beer and a few pizza's etc each night.

One of the Mission Australia workers got a bit upset by me saying that and asked if I had some time to meet some of these folk and know about their story.

Ah Okay then - mmm there were people who had good jobs/Businesses/homes/families and what not who for whatever reason ended up in this predicament.

The stereotyping of homeless people being metho drinkers/ alco's/druggo's/lazy etc was far from the truth for quite a number of these folk.

All it can take is someone losing their job / marriage breakup/ violent household/ bankruptcy etc and things can spiral out of control rather quickly and they could end on the street as well.

It could happen to anyone of us in reality being homeless - Look at the debt a lot of households have - Australia has the 5th Highest amount of Household debt in the World at around $86.392 per household

Rank	Country	Household debt	Disposable income	Debt as a % of disposable income
1	Norway	$106,274	$43,149	246.30%
2	Denmark	$93,426	$38,271	244.11%
3	Netherlands	$87,978	$38,552	228.20%
4	Switzerland	$95,638	$43,062	222.09%
5	Australia	$86,392	$42,554	203.02%
6	Sweden	$74,713	$37,709	200.78%
7	South Korea	$56,875	$28,339	200.70%
8	Luxembourg	$93,298	$49,861	187.12%
9	Canada	$71,285	$38,404	185.62%
10	Finland	$57,249	$37,127	154.20%

https://au.news.yahoo.com/australias...kBMZKt7XXcucn5

Not sure what point you are making quoting those figures in relation to homelessness. They are 10 of the richest countries with the highest standard of living,of course they will have higher debt levels as well. List some of the worlds poorest countries with virtually no disposable income and you will find levels of poverty and homelessness that will shock you if you ever see and smell it in reality, not just from behin a tv screen