Parramatta five-eighth Dylan Brown has been stood down by the NRL under the no-fault stand-down rule.
Brown was named to play for the Eels against Canterbury on Monday but will now be stood down while he awaits an outcome of his court hearing.
The New Zealand international was
charged with five counts of sexual touching after an incident in Sydney’s eastern suburbs at the weekend.
“The NRL has today advised the Parramatta Eels that Dylan Brown is subject to a no-fault stand down condition under the NRL rules,” the NRL said in a statement.
“The NRL decision should in no way be interpreted as a view on the innocence or guilt of the player.”
Parramatta released a statement confirming the NRL’s decision.
“The Parramatta Eels have been informed by the NRL that Dylan Brown has been stood down from team selection as part of the NRL’s no fault stand down policy regarding the incident this past weekend,” the statement said.
“Dylan will not be eligible for selection until he receives clearance from the NRL. Out of respect for the legal process now under way, the club will not be making any further comment at this time.”
Brown’s absence is a massive blow for the Eels, whose halves stocks are dramatically thin after they released Jake Arthur, son of head coach Brad, to NRL rivals Manly last month.
The Eels could give a club debut to former North Queensland and New Zealand Warriors utility Daejarn Asi, who was on Tuesday
named on an extended bench for the Bulldogs clash.
Another option is to use back-up hooker Brendan Hands in the halves, where he played some of his junior football while coming through the Penrith Panthers’ pathways system.