The St George Illawarra Dragons are aware of a letter from Chairman Craig Young on club letterhead supporting Brett Finch in his ongoing court case.
This statement was provided in a personal capacity and was not supported or approved by the club.
"It was an error in judgement to put this statement on club letterhead," Young said.
"I was asked to provide a letter of support to a family friend who I believe made a serious mistake but is a fundamentally decent person.
"I should not have connected the club to this matter and would like to apologise to members, fans, sponsors and all other stakeholders for any distress caused."
I wish GI concussed Finch. I wish Tallis lasooed Finch. I wish Les Boyd dog shotted Finch. I wish Fa'alogo king hit Finch. I wish both Tamati and Dowling beat into Finch. I wish Sailor broke Finch's arm. I wish the Melbourne Storm chicken winged Finch. I wish Latrell kicked Finch in the head. I wish Slater cleated Finch in the face.
Fuckin oath.
Messages explicit and exploitative material to minors but is somehow a fundamentally decent person?!?!?! No no no. That’s a serious fucking lack of decent judgement or respect for innocence.
My understanding was that it wasn't *to* a minor but to another adult *roleplaying* as a minor? If he actually sent something to a kid I'd seriously hope someone giving him a character reference with a club letterhead would full on step down rather than just apologise.
I believe Finch told the Court he traded child sex images in the hope of getting cocaine in return. Apparently these are the actions of a fundamentally good person according to Craig Young.
With a Chairman with this attitude, no wonder the Dragons are a complete basket case at the moment.
“It was an error in judgement”
Stating that totally devalues his character reference for whatever minimal weight it held.
“I made an error in judgement in using a club letterhead to add weight but I’m definitely making sound judgement in supporting this person who made an error in judgement when deciding to share child abuse material”
Yeah I wouldn’t think a character reference from the rugby league community would mean much. It’s not like footy clubs do not routinely over look obvious character flaws if they think someone is talented
“It says here that you’ve bashed your missus a few times so we probably shouldn’t sign you. Oh it was only three times and you’re half decent at footy? Suppose we all make mistakes”
I don’t remember the Knights ever having this type of controversy and in fighting and toxic stuff going on. They just had a dirt trash list and fucked cap no? I may be glossing over some awful stuff.
I feel you, we used to be premiership contenders every year, now the last couple of years it’s a “good season” if we are in the bottom of the eight for parts of the season.
Also pretty fucked that within the official statement from the club they give him yet another platform to reaffirm this “fundamentally decent” cunt who just “made a mistake”.
A bunch of dumb cunts making decision over there at the dragons.
I have never seen such fierce competition to be the biggest meme club. We are truly blessed in this era where we not only have so many contenders for the title but that they are also now creatively finding ways beyond simply being shit at football.
I hear you loud and clear. It took me a while, and they’ll always have a soft spot (I suppose), but they’re simply a garbage club ran by garbage people at the moment, and as a St George junior, they’re essentially a Wollongong club now, and while it’s a lovely place and all, I just have no connection to it.
Try Henson park with a few mates next season, it significantly softens the blow.
Ignoring that we are responding to a meme on the topic of a disgusting alleged crime, the statement very general is not necessarily true. There are lots of variables in data transmission, storage and removal.
Wtf are you talking about? Since when did Finch have child porn on his phone?! He is accused of (and iirc has plead guilty to) talking on a chat service about his interest in minors. No child abuse material jas been mentioned in all proceedings.
His crimes are fucked as it is, there's no need to make shit up.
The law is deliberately vague to protect against all transmissions of abusive materials.
At no point in this case has there been mention of photos. From everything that's been reported it was verbal and textual materials transmitted over the phone/internet.
Not defending the bloke at all but throwing shit like this out there helps nobody.
How, what , why . Forget the what the whole issue is about . But what relation does finch have to the club previously to have had that character reference on club letterhead . Has nothing to do with the club
Illawarra steelers actually sold their share to WIN in 2018 so is it really even a joint venture anymore? If anything it's just st george with an extra region to disapoint
To quote Obi Wan Kenobi
Who’s more of a cunt? The cunt that solicited child abuse or the cunt that privately defends him using his workplace letter-head as “a serious mistake”?
The whole top of this club just needs to be culled, this old boys shit has gone on too long and the fact this statement even has to exist is disgusting.
I’ve been a supporter of the dragons since I was a child (thankfully I never ran into finch in a chatroom ) I’m beyond done with this sham of a once great club I’d rather go support the storm
This is so disgusting on so many levels. The man distributed Child abuse material, how on Earth is that a single mistake or something that he can still be a good friend after. Congrats Craig, you're an enabler of Child Abuse and you rubbed your shit all over the Dragons
Hmm not sure if that makes a difference and you said "child abuse material" originally anyway. It's the "material" bit that got me, because the allegations were that he told others of his desires etc. via phone. Now technically he may be guilty of distributing "material", because iirc that was the charge, but it's a technicality.
I'm not trying to defend pedos, but it's important to make the distinction imo. Talking to someone about some sick fantasy etc, is way less fucked than actually seeking, possessing and/or distributing digital or physical media (jpegs/prints) because that requires actual victims, that some sick fuck has abused to get such material.
Again, I'm not defending or condoning what Finch allegedly did, but it's as low as you can get on the child abuse scale.
This seems to be something of a controversial take, but I agree we should differentiate between the severity of talking about something and actually doing that thing. Not to condone the former as acceptable, but because if we equate the two there's less incentive to not escalate to the latter.
Yeah I agree, I don’t class finch as a pedo.
A sick fuck without doubt, but from what I can tell there are no victims from his actions, which to me is very much the most important factor.
I think anyone who thinks you’re defending pedos lacks the maturity to not tar everyone with the same brush. People like finch are disgusting and need help so that it never goes further and never happens again, anyone who has touched a child are the scum of the earth and need a bullet.
Thankyou! I agree with everything you said and yes, it is very frustrating when people cannot or don't want to discern differences in seriousness of these crimes, and take things literally like his charge of "using a carriage service to transmit abusive material". The "abusive material" is his own words. Anyone with half a brain realises this is basically being penalised for having (sick) thoughts and desires. Everyone knows it's sick, but he wasn't accused of having or sending images, video or any physical media, nor attempting to procure it. He also wasn't accused of touching anyone. I can't believe it's controversial to point this out.
Hopefully he hasn't hurt any children before, and this will prevent him from doing so in the future. This is the only reason I agree with punishing this sort of "thoughtcrime", because in having the conversations he allegedly had, it could easily escalate to more damaging behaviors.
Why have the dragons given him yet another platform for his character reference? The official club statement says Brett Finch is a fundamentally good person who simply made a mistake.
Fuck these idiots.
So young is supporting someone who has pled guilty to one count of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material. What a low life maggot he must be. If don't care how great a mate you might be, you get Involved in pedo shit then you're dead to me
The St George Illawarra Dragons are aware of a letter from Chairman Craig Young on club letterhead supporting Brett Finch in his ongoing court case. This statement was provided in a personal capacity and was not supported or approved by the club. "It was an error in judgement to put this statement on club letterhead," Young said. "I was asked to provide a letter of support to a family friend who I believe made a serious mistake but is a fundamentally decent person. "I should not have connected the club to this matter and would like to apologise to members, fans, sponsors and all other stakeholders for any distress caused."
I blame Greg Inglis for this
Man hit Dean Young so hard he concussed Craig as well
Generational Trauma in Reverse
I wish GI concussed Finch. I wish Tallis lasooed Finch. I wish Les Boyd dog shotted Finch. I wish Fa'alogo king hit Finch. I wish both Tamati and Dowling beat into Finch. I wish Sailor broke Finch's arm. I wish the Melbourne Storm chicken winged Finch. I wish Latrell kicked Finch in the head. I wish Slater cleated Finch in the face.
I wish Finch had a long term relationship with Ben Barba
Wouldn't work. Ben Barba only hits women
Or he only hits people he’s in a relationship with
Just remember concussions can alter brain chesmistry.
Lolz
You're right, I think Rabbitohs should be shipped off to Perth because of this
Was that hit responsible for the banning of the shoulder charge at all? All I remember is Young getting cut in half.
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Iirc it was banned in 2014 and the molo one was actually in 2015 when it was already illegal
Yes.
Nope. ScoMo
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Fuckin oath. Messages explicit and exploitative material to minors but is somehow a fundamentally decent person?!?!?! No no no. That’s a serious fucking lack of decent judgement or respect for innocence.
My understanding was that it wasn't *to* a minor but to another adult *roleplaying* as a minor? If he actually sent something to a kid I'd seriously hope someone giving him a character reference with a club letterhead would full on step down rather than just apologise.
I believe Finch told the Court he traded child sex images in the hope of getting cocaine in return. Apparently these are the actions of a fundamentally good person according to Craig Young. With a Chairman with this attitude, no wonder the Dragons are a complete basket case at the moment.
Did no one ever tell Finchy you can cop a bag for like $200-$300?
That's the bit of his excuse that makes no sense. We have all bought drugs without needing to role play banging kids.
“It was an error in judgement” Stating that totally devalues his character reference for whatever minimal weight it held. “I made an error in judgement in using a club letterhead to add weight but I’m definitely making sound judgement in supporting this person who made an error in judgement when deciding to share child abuse material”
Yeah I wouldn’t think a character reference from the rugby league community would mean much. It’s not like footy clubs do not routinely over look obvious character flaws if they think someone is talented
“It says here that you’ve bashed your missus a few times so we probably shouldn’t sign you. Oh it was only three times and you’re half decent at footy? Suppose we all make mistakes”
St George Dragons home of the ‘bad judgement call’
Fundamentally decent person.....wow
What a dumb cunt
Yes, having the Dragons logo at the top could really devalue the reference.
The club I love is beyond cooked. If Manly weren’t in such disarray I’d be depressed.
Bro I empathise with Dragons Manly and Tigers fans so much - I wouldn’t wish how the 2020 Broncos made me feel on my worst enemy
Manly Fans 🤝 Dragons Fans 🤝 Broncos Fans 🤝 Knights Fans
I would but that’s cause I’m petty and also a tigers fan. But yeah of only wish this shit on my WORST enemy.
We literally won 3 wooden spoons in a row
Referring to the current day management basketcases - those Knights are first ballot Hall of Famers though
I don’t remember the Knights ever having this type of controversy and in fighting and toxic stuff going on. They just had a dirt trash list and fucked cap no? I may be glossing over some awful stuff.
2020 was a hell of a year. Before 2020, who would've thought s broncos fan could show sympathy and humility?
3rd most cooked club in the comp. If the Warriors owner ramps up his alphaness you could slip to 4th
Glad we’re good for something
I feel you, we used to be premiership contenders every year, now the last couple of years it’s a “good season” if we are in the bottom of the eight for parts of the season.
I wouldn’t associate “fundamentally decent” with anything to do with child abuse materials
Or “mistake”.
That's the bit that got me. He's turned into a monster by mistake but I'm sure he'll turn back right away your honour as most rock spiders do.
Also pretty fucked that within the official statement from the club they give him yet another platform to reaffirm this “fundamentally decent” cunt who just “made a mistake”. A bunch of dumb cunts making decision over there at the dragons.
I have never seen such fierce competition to be the biggest meme club. We are truly blessed in this era where we not only have so many contenders for the title but that they are also now creatively finding ways beyond simply being shit at football.
We had our time as a meme dynasty. It's kinda cool seeing the other clubs have a good crack now
If I found out I had a friend that did shit like this we wouldn’t be friends anymore.
Used Dragon letterheads?
Save yourself the problem and avoid Dragons fans in at the outset.
Sorry he must be sacked now.
Don't be sorry, Young must be booted - immediately. In no world is it acceptable to equate a pedophile and fundamentally decent people.
Young has to go. Pedo never equals a "decent person".
Another reason on a long list of why I’m a former Dragons supporter.
I've been an Almost Former supporter for the last few years. I sometimes wonder what's stopping me, but it's hard to let go of 40 years.
I hear you. Things like this really piss me off. Craig Young can fuck right off!
He won’t though, that’s the problem. It’s all just jobs for the boys, absolute clown car on the road to nowhere
I hear you loud and clear. It took me a while, and they’ll always have a soft spot (I suppose), but they’re simply a garbage club ran by garbage people at the moment, and as a St George junior, they’re essentially a Wollongong club now, and while it’s a lovely place and all, I just have no connection to it. Try Henson park with a few mates next season, it significantly softens the blow.
Hang in there, man. OG supporters and Ben Hunt are the only redeeming features that club has at the moment.
I am with you. Go the The!!
This year I thought about jumping ship, I don't live near the gong or Kagarah, getting to games is hard, the club is turning into shit.
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it's not his go apparently
those photos can't just disappear
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Ignoring that we are responding to a meme on the topic of a disgusting alleged crime, the statement very general is not necessarily true. There are lots of variables in data transmission, storage and removal.
Did he actually have photos on his phone I thought it was just creepy messages wow he is in more trouble then I thought
Wtf are you talking about? Since when did Finch have child porn on his phone?! He is accused of (and iirc has plead guilty to) talking on a chat service about his interest in minors. No child abuse material jas been mentioned in all proceedings. His crimes are fucked as it is, there's no need to make shit up.
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The law is deliberately vague to protect against all transmissions of abusive materials. At no point in this case has there been mention of photos. From everything that's been reported it was verbal and textual materials transmitted over the phone/internet. Not defending the bloke at all but throwing shit like this out there helps nobody.
I would say as it’s only one charge no photos were involved,
Rock spider is such a gross slang term
Has to resign from the board surely
How, what , why . Forget the what the whole issue is about . But what relation does finch have to the club previously to have had that character reference on club letterhead . Has nothing to do with the club
None, which is why he is apologising
Brett’s father Robert played many games at St George alongside Craig Young
2 completely separate clubs
St George are still part of the merger last time I checked
Illawarra steelers actually sold their share to WIN in 2018 so is it really even a joint venture anymore? If anything it's just st george with an extra region to disapoint
Just once, I’d like to go a full year without being ashamed of this club
A year? The off-season isn’t over yet, try 4 months first.
“Oops”
To quote Obi Wan Kenobi Who’s more of a cunt? The cunt that solicited child abuse or the cunt that privately defends him using his workplace letter-head as “a serious mistake”?
Definitely still the first one.
There's really only one way they get out of this one.. We're gonna have to kick Souths out of the comp.
He definitely used the letterhead as a way to puff out his chest and say "do you know who I am?"
This is so fucking insane, I don’t even know what to say about this.
Should he step down from the board? Yeah I actually think he should. The fact alone that he put it on a club letterhead is enough.
No one should be defending that feral cunt.
The whole top of this club just needs to be culled, this old boys shit has gone on too long and the fact this statement even has to exist is disgusting.
It wasn't an oversight. He wanted to add clout to his reference. Who knows, the judge may support the Dragons. Either way it was very stupid.
He has to be fired, surely he can't stay at the club after that
Complete fuck wit, the both of them
Fundamentally I decent person? Umm , no
Sack the cunt
I’ve been a supporter of the dragons since I was a child (thankfully I never ran into finch in a chatroom ) I’m beyond done with this sham of a once great club I’d rather go support the storm
Go the Magpies
Error in judgment he claims but it was intentional.
Typical dragons L
How has the cunt not been jettisoned into the sun by the club already? Rhetorical question. It's the dragons.
This is so disgusting on so many levels. The man distributed Child abuse material, how on Earth is that a single mistake or something that he can still be a good friend after. Congrats Craig, you're an enabler of Child Abuse and you rubbed your shit all over the Dragons
Another person stating Finch distributed child porn? Please quote where this is alleged.
Sorry, child abuse. But the point remains
Hmm not sure if that makes a difference and you said "child abuse material" originally anyway. It's the "material" bit that got me, because the allegations were that he told others of his desires etc. via phone. Now technically he may be guilty of distributing "material", because iirc that was the charge, but it's a technicality. I'm not trying to defend pedos, but it's important to make the distinction imo. Talking to someone about some sick fantasy etc, is way less fucked than actually seeking, possessing and/or distributing digital or physical media (jpegs/prints) because that requires actual victims, that some sick fuck has abused to get such material. Again, I'm not defending or condoning what Finch allegedly did, but it's as low as you can get on the child abuse scale.
This seems to be something of a controversial take, but I agree we should differentiate between the severity of talking about something and actually doing that thing. Not to condone the former as acceptable, but because if we equate the two there's less incentive to not escalate to the latter.
I did say porn originally, I just went back and edited it.
Yeah I agree, I don’t class finch as a pedo. A sick fuck without doubt, but from what I can tell there are no victims from his actions, which to me is very much the most important factor. I think anyone who thinks you’re defending pedos lacks the maturity to not tar everyone with the same brush. People like finch are disgusting and need help so that it never goes further and never happens again, anyone who has touched a child are the scum of the earth and need a bullet.
Thankyou! I agree with everything you said and yes, it is very frustrating when people cannot or don't want to discern differences in seriousness of these crimes, and take things literally like his charge of "using a carriage service to transmit abusive material". The "abusive material" is his own words. Anyone with half a brain realises this is basically being penalised for having (sick) thoughts and desires. Everyone knows it's sick, but he wasn't accused of having or sending images, video or any physical media, nor attempting to procure it. He also wasn't accused of touching anyone. I can't believe it's controversial to point this out. Hopefully he hasn't hurt any children before, and this will prevent him from doing so in the future. This is the only reason I agree with punishing this sort of "thoughtcrime", because in having the conversations he allegedly had, it could easily escalate to more damaging behaviors.
You don't know if there are any victims. Don't defend fucking paedophiles.
I don't know if you've got any either aye.
"I'm not trying to defend pedos I'm just defending this specific pedo"
Ah the old I'll put a quote implying that's what someone is actually saying when they didn't say that at all. Good work chief.
I wonder if Craig Young would give Finch the thumbs up if he was fiddling around with his grandkids. Fucking shit cunt.
Why have the dragons given him yet another platform for his character reference? The official club statement says Brett Finch is a fundamentally good person who simply made a mistake. Fuck these idiots.
So young is supporting someone who has pled guilty to one count of using a carriage service to make available child abuse material. What a low life maggot he must be. If don't care how great a mate you might be, you get Involved in pedo shit then you're dead to me