Havent read all these posts but the problem with Lodge,Packer, the Warriors baby killer et all when they make their comeback is what happens when they become huge players?
The media has a field day on it, gets 40% of the populace ANGRY and then NRL loses fans and mums.
I think the NRL need to impose a US style CIMT (Crimes involving Moral Turpitude) baseline, where incidents under the CIMT line (mouth pissing, running from cars, barfights, groping etc) can incur the usual wrath and recover but the 'vile' crimes like head stomping, molestation, home invasion, attempted murder etc are banned for life with no coming back.
Announce it and say its new policy starting next year no negotiation.
We dont see this in the NFL because players dont fuck with their prospects.
And yes i know that the Rugby Union factor makes it hard, but I guarantee Union wont like being a criminal dumping ground after a while.