Very true. That's why I would prefer no information or all the information. A foot in each camp just muddies the waters.
According to the SMH article, assuming it is correct (which can be a stretch these days) the punishment rationale was: "It is understood the players who were reprimanded verbally were in very soon after midnight, the written warnings were in before 3am and the suspended players came home later than that."
If this is correct, the issue is how late they were out, not how much they drank. But Ewen has instituted an alcohol ban, so was it alcohol or lateness or both? Ewen also referred to the punishment depending on whether the player was a starter, reserve or surplus to requirements but now that doesn't seem to be the case.
Again, I hope Ewen was clearer with the individual players because the public is getting mixed messages about the rationale for the punishment.
I am not defending any of the players who were out late or who drabnk excessively. They may have warranted punishment. I am simply saying that the released information plus the informal reports suggests a lack of consistency in the rule-setting and punishment.
That said, the players who were in "very soon" after midnight but have been reprimanded on the basis of an "expectation" probably can feel a bit hard done by.
