NRL 2022: Storm, Warriors request ruling on suspended stars after Latrell Mitchell’s judiciary verdict | Daily Telegraph
Melbourne and the Warriors have asked the NRL whether the Latrell Mitchell judiciary precedent can be used to reduce the suspensions of their banned stars Brandon Smith and Reece Walsh.
News Corp understands that both the Storm and the Warriors emailed the NRL on Wednesday morning requesting a ruling on whether Smith and Walsh could have their suspensions reduced by one game given both would have been near certain to play in the All Stars game.
Smith and Walsh are both set to miss the start of the premiership after being handed bans for off-field indiscretions late last year.
The fact they were slapped with bans for off-field incidents means a final decision on whether they receive some leniency will rest with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo rather than judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew.
Bellew cleared the way for Mitchell to return a week early after he accepted a South Sydney submission that the All Stars game should be included in the suspension he incurred at the end of last season for a high shot on Sydney Roosters star Joey Manu.
Crucially, Mitchell was considered a certain starter for the Indigenous All Stars. Likewise, Smith would have walked into the Maori All Stars team while Walsh would have been available for either the Indigenous or the Maori side through his parentage.
“I have asked the question of Andrew — would he reconsider the NRL-imposed classification of games,” Warriors chief executive Cameron George said. “It is important for me that the NRL are consistent with the classification of games and the status of games.
“So I have asked him to reconsider his position based on the decision made by the judiciary yesterday that the All Stars game is classified in their view as a representative game.”
George said the game needed to ensure there was consistency between head office and the judiciary when it came to meting out bans.
“I am not worried about the penalty, whether it is two or three or five or six (games),” George said. “But now that the judiciary has changed the goalposts in what they deem a representative game, all I am asking is for Andrew to have the same classification for the game.
“If he does accept that and they are consistent, that is great for everyone, whether it is Reece Walsh or someone else.
“You have to understand why the question is being asked (now). No one asked the question until the goalposts moved. There is always a ripple effect.”
Walsh was handed a two-match ban after being caught on the Gold Coast late last year with a bag of cocaine.
Smith was served with a one-match ban after he and teammates Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis were filmed in a room with white powder during the postseason.
It is understood at least two other clubs are considering their options with suspended players in light of the Mitchell decision.
Yes I think the NRL has dug a massive hole for itself in so many way’s with this ruling.
Raiders copping it up the a again’: Ricky Stuart fumes over double standards in huge NRL call
Fuming Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has blown up over a suspension loophole that benefited other clubs, accusing the NRL of double standards and claiming “it is the Canberra Raiders copping it up the a again”.
The NRL on Monday approved reduced suspensions for Storm star Brandon Smith and Warriors fullback Reece Walsh, ruling that they were able to count the Indigenous All Stars game towards their bans.
It followed Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell having his ban reduced for the same reason, meaning he will return in Round 2.
In an explosive interview with the Daily Telegraph, Stuart vented frustration that Raiders veteran Jordan Rapana was denied access to the same loophole. The Raiders reportedly contacted the NRL integrity unit before the All Stars match but were told the rule only applied for players suspended for on-field offences.
Rapana, who was serving a suspension over a drink driving charge, was allowed to play by the Raiders but then copped another two-match suspension for a shoulder charge.
Stuart was filthy after learning Smith and Walsh’s bans had been reduced despite them being for off-field issues.
“It is the Canberra Raiders copping it up the a*** again. That is a quote,” he told the Telegraph.
“I am in disbelief and disgusted that it always seems to happen to us.
“We keep on copping it and copping it and it gets to the stage where you are absolutely fed up with it.”
Stuart said he felt sorry for NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo “but he has to deal with the inadequacies of people making decisions that he has to clean up.
“Andrew has apologised and said, ‘I am sorry, I cannot change the decisions that have been made,” Stuart said.
Legend Greg Alexander took issue with the reduced suspensions on Monday night.
“No (I don’t agree with it),” Alexander said on Fox League.“I don’t think you can count a game where you haven’t been selected and you can’t be selected because you are not available through suspension. How does that work?”
