ABC dumps the Warren Ryan Medal from its NRL coverage after former premiership-winning coach found guilty of assault
THE ABC has dumped the Warren Ryan Medal from its NRL coverage in a reaction to the former premiership-winning coach being found guilty of assault.
And for the first time, the 76-year-old bashed and kicked by Ryan at the Pagewood Hotel has spoken of his ordeal.
Edward Purcell has been a regular at the pub for almost 60 years but insists he was never a friend of Ryan because: “You either get abused or lectured … that’s why I’ve had nothing to do with him”.
The retired construction worker revealed he had rarely even spoken to Ryan before the assault.
“I had my first beer at the pub at 18 and I’ve been going there ever since,” he said.
“I’ve never been mates with him. He sits at one end of the table and my friends sit up the other end. Warren is Warren.”
THE ABC has dumped the Warren Ryan Medal from its NRL coverage in a reaction to the former premiership-winning coach being found guilty of assault.
And for the first time, the 76-year-old bashed and kicked by Ryan at the Pagewood Hotel has spoken of his ordeal.
Edward Purcell has been a regular at the pub for almost 60 years but insists he was never a friend of Ryan because: “You either get abused or lectured … that’s why I’ve had nothing to do with him”.
The retired construction worker revealed he had rarely even spoken to Ryan before the assault.
“I had my first beer at the pub at 18 and I’ve been going there ever since,” he said.
“I’ve never been mates with him. He sits at one end of the table and my friends sit up the other end. Warren is Warren.”
After retiring from coaching, Ryan spent two decades at the ABC as a commentator alongside the legendary David Morrow.
The Warren Ryan Medal was awarded to the best and fairest player, with judges voting on a 3-2-1 basis through the season. A source suggested the award would be known as ABC Grandstand player of the year.
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