7th Tackle: The unlikely ally in Kenny Edwards case

The NRL career of Eels firebrand Kenny Edwards is currently in the balance, after he pleaded guilty to common assault this week.

The initial attitude of the NRL was to come down hard on Edwards - we heard figures at League Central wanted him banned for at least half the season and hit with a massive fine.

It wasn't so much the facts of this case that upset the powers that be - Edwards was convicted of squirting his partner with a water bottle, and later a pre-mixed spirit, during a household argument.

His poor track record is the problem.

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Just two years ago Edwards was rubbed out for the season after agreeing to submit his urine in place of team mate Kaysa Pritchard.

But with everything at stake, Edwards' partner is now in his corner.

She's written a letter to the NRL, explaining certain details about the complaint to the police.

The most significant is that she didn't call them - it was a friend. The couple are also back together.

The other part to this story is Edwards' own family background. It's one of the most difficult we've been privy to of any rugby league player.