Roosters star on assault charges

The National Rugby League (NRL) has been rock-solid in its position against violence towards women but the league declined to stand down Sydney Roosters star Shaun Kenny-Dowall after the latter was arrested and charged on Saturday morning.

Kenny-Dowall is the ex-partner of Jessica Peris, the daughter of Australian Olympian turned federal politician Nova Peris.

Kenny-Dowall turned himself in at a local police station and was charged with 10 domestic violence that include assault occasioning actual bodily harm, six counts of common assault, destroy or damage of property, use carriage service to menace, harass, or offend and stalking or intimidation, as noted by 9news.com.au.

It’s alleged the offences occurred between 10 October a year ago and June 24 2015.

Kenny-Dowall and Peris split about three weeks ago, after living together for 18 months. Kenny-Dowall has been granted conditional bail and is scheduled to appear before Waverley Local Court on Thursday. Comment is being sought from the Roosters.

“It is outrageous. Yes, we have to ensure that this has in fact taken place and everyone is entitled to due process, but I think we need to see some stronger messages coming from the NRL”.

Trent Robinson’s handling of the Shaun Kenny-Dowall case should be shown to every NRL coach as an example of how to handle a hard and serious matter.

That could open the way for Kenny-Dowall to return to the Roosters’ line-up for their round-20 fixture against Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium on Friday night. His own personal preparation, the team preparation and his own welfare, the decision was made this morning for him not to play.’.

“I have known him since he was 15 years of age and he deserves his opportunity to be explained and to present his side of the story”, Canavan said.

‘That’s all we’re saying.

‘This should not in any way be taken as an admission Shaun has done anything wrong and to do so would be incorrect.’.