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Melbourne and the Warriors will attempt to use the same loophole that allowed Latrell Mitchell to serve one week of his six-match suspension in the All Stars game in a bid to free Brandon Smith and Reece Walsh to also make sooner-than-expected NRL comebacks.
Mitchell’s was slated to return for the round-three blockbuster against the Roosters, but will instead be free to play a week earlier, against the Storm at AAMI Park. The Rabbitohs made an application to head office to count the All Stars game, for which Mitchell would have been a certain selection, as part of his six-game ban for a high shot on Joseph Manu. NRL Judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew approved the request, piquing the interest of the Storm and Warriors.
Smith copped a one-match suspension, as well as a $15,000 fine, for his role in the white-powder video scandal that also involved Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis. While the ban was expected to sideline the Kiwi hooker for the opening-round clash against Wests Tigers, the Storm believe he has effectively served his time given he wasn’t allowed to be selected for the Maori in the All Stars clash.
Similarly, Walsh was eligible and keen to play for the Maori, but was prevented from doing after he was charged with cocaine possession. The NRL ruled he would cop a two-game ban for bringing the game into disrepute, which included a one-week ban he would have received for an on-field charge.
However, Warriors CEO Cameron George told the Herald he would take up the matter with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo today in a bid to allow Walsh to serve one game of his suspension in the All Stars match. If the application is approved, the playmaker would return for the Warriors’ round-two clash against the Gold Coast.
If we now count the All Stars game, he should only have to serve one NRL game,” George said.
“If they are going to be consistent with the judicial findings after the judicial decision yesterday, and it’s crucially important that the game is … it needs to be addressed very quickly.
We’re dealing with two different penalties; one imposed by the judiciary with the ability to review and amend, and then we’re dealing one which Andrew Abdo imposed himself.
“I assume Andrew would have the discretion to review and revisit his penalties.”
Mitchell’s was slated to return for the round-three blockbuster against the Roosters, but will instead be free to play a week earlier, against the Storm at AAMI Park. The Rabbitohs made an application to head office to count the All Stars game, for which Mitchell would have been a certain selection, as part of his six-game ban for a high shot on Joseph Manu. NRL Judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew approved the request, piquing the interest of the Storm and Warriors.
Smith copped a one-match suspension, as well as a $15,000 fine, for his role in the white-powder video scandal that also involved Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis. While the ban was expected to sideline the Kiwi hooker for the opening-round clash against Wests Tigers, the Storm believe he has effectively served his time given he wasn’t allowed to be selected for the Maori in the All Stars clash.
Similarly, Walsh was eligible and keen to play for the Maori, but was prevented from doing after he was charged with cocaine possession. The NRL ruled he would cop a two-game ban for bringing the game into disrepute, which included a one-week ban he would have received for an on-field charge.
However, Warriors CEO Cameron George told the Herald he would take up the matter with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo today in a bid to allow Walsh to serve one game of his suspension in the All Stars match. If the application is approved, the playmaker would return for the Warriors’ round-two clash against the Gold Coast.
If we now count the All Stars game, he should only have to serve one NRL game,” George said.
“If they are going to be consistent with the judicial findings after the judicial decision yesterday, and it’s crucially important that the game is … it needs to be addressed very quickly.
We’re dealing with two different penalties; one imposed by the judiciary with the ability to review and amend, and then we’re dealing one which Andrew Abdo imposed himself.
“I assume Andrew would have the discretion to review and revisit his penalties.”
