Former NRLW player Maddie Studdon could avoid serious punishment because she did not utter a certain word to her ex-girlfriend.
Studdon is currently facing charges of domestic-violence related stalking, which earned her a nomination for The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes: the men’s and women’s National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while AFL player Noah Balta is the most recent recipient.
The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players and players who received media attention in previous seasons, for similarly scandalous behaviour, and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Julian O’Neill.
Studdon allegedly stalked her ex-girlfriend after their relationships broke down. According to media reports, the former Dragon visited her former partners house and made a “throat-slitting” gesture, before messaging:
“…Check msgs, enjoy the d**k. Can stop being suss and own up. You make mee (sic) go off cause what you’re doing. Didn’t need to use me jut so you could see if something else would work.”
On another occasion, Studdon allegedly visited the house at 4am and waited for her ex, approaching the woman’s car, laughing and saying “f**king face it, brah f**king own up, you’re a cheater … explain yourself, explain yourself, you’re a f**king cheater.”
Studdon then allegedly punched the side of her car and made a “throat slitting” gesture. The woman feared Studdon would break into her house and kill her and subsequently spent time at her friend’s house.
The comments were made because Studdon believed her ex was in a relationship with a man, and after Studdon visited the house on yet another occasion, she was seen on security cameras kicking the door and yelling:
“You’re having f**king sex, are ya.”
The former Eel, Shark, Rooster and Jillaroo was charged with stalking/intimidation with the intention of fear or physical harm (DV) and using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend. She spent a night behind bars on remand and the court heard she was also charged with a domestic violence matter in 2015.
Studdon previously captained the NSW Blues State of Origin team and could earn a reprieve because she did not use a certain name during the alleged stalking. An insult, a nasty word, an offensive term, the most vicious words any NSW player could possibly think of:
Cane Toad!
And this is what could save Studdon from severe punishment.
It could also determine whether or not Studdon becomes the first woman to be inducted into The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame.
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 