Sport Confidential: David Nofoaluma sanctioned by Wests Tigers for off-field incident
An off-field incident as well as a serious concussion has kept Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma away from the field in recent weeks.
Confidential has learned that Nofoaluma has been the subject of an internal disciplinary sanction in recent weeks which has resulted in him being overlooked for a first grade starting spot.
Club sources were tight-lipped on the nature of the indiscretion, but it is understood it has been frowned upon by his fellow players, in particular the senior leadership group.
The incident has been described as a “minor slip in standards” but was enough for his teammates to look down upon the winger’s actions, leading to the sanction.
Nofoaluma continues to be troubled by headaches, according to sources at the club, although he has been named on an extended bench for Saturday’s game against South Sydney at Accor Stadium.
The 28-year-old has not played since round eight and was spotted leaving the Tigers clash against Canterbury at half-time as he dealt with ongoing headaches.
He is among the richest wingers in the game with his salary nearing $500,000.
It is the second time Nofoaluma has been in the spotlight over his off-field behaviour. Last year, he was stood down from the club’s senior leadership group after turning up to training under the weather following the wedding of chair Lee Hagipantelis’ daughter.
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Noffa has been cuddled and favoured by our chairman. Having Favourites never ends well. Noffa getting his wings clipped no doubt
yup i bet LEE goes quite now about his favourite boy!!! 500k a year till end of 25 annoys me so much!! twice now he has misbehaved, i thought there had to be something more then headaches, hope he stays out of first grade for a while, must be punished
Interested to know what happened. It must have been reasonably bad if the playing group were so annoyed.
Interested to know what happened. It must have been reasonably bad if the playing group were so annoyed.
Yes, was just thinking same. We’ll probably never know.
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yup i bet LEE goes quite now about his favourite boy!!! 500k a year till end of 25 annoys me so much!! twice now he has misbehaved, i thought there had to be something more then headaches, hope he stays out of first grade for a while, must be punished
3rd time if you include punching the staff member involving pre season KPI's
This puts the Naden urgency signing into perspective.. the sooner Nuffie is punted the better time the culture changed for the better.. then others might want to join the club !
From the Daily Tele…
Dumped Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma has broken his silence on his demotion into reserve grade, declaring “you live and learn”.
Nofoaluma was empathetic about his desire to return to the top grade by saying “I’m not a reserve grade player” as he took to the field for the Magpies at Redfern Oval on Saturday.
The Tigers flyer has not been seen in the NRL since May 1 as he dealt with concussion problems. He was eligible for first grade last week but was overlooked after the senior players wanted him stood-down because he was drinking while recovering from the head knocks.
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“It was in-house,” Nofoaluma said after getting through 80 minutes on Saturday.
“It was one of those things that happened. I took it with both hands. It was disappointing. I’m back now and I want to enjoy my footy.
“You live and you learn. I wouldn’t say (I have to earn back the players) trust.”
Repetitive head knocks prior to his off-field indiscretion kept the Samoan sidelined. He had suffered head knocks in three consecutive matches before taking time out.
“After the third week, the club doctor said it was time to take some time away from footy and have a rest from contact sport,” Nofoaluma said.
“I was getting headaches and was very lethargic. Copping them in repetitive weeks, the medical staff were doing their job and looking after me.
“I took that on and took some time away from footy. It was scary.”
Nofoaluma struggled defensively early in the Magpies’ 36-32 loss to South Sydney. He played the entire second half at fullback and laid on a try in the dying stages, in his second successive week in reserve grade.
It remains to be seen if he did enough to earn a recall into the top grade ahead of the Tigers clash against Manly next Sunday.
“I will reassess where I’m at,” Nofoaluma said. “I will see how things are going. I have to be mentally prepared to come back to first grade. I’m enjoying playing (NSW Cup). They’ve been fantastic.
“I’m always ready to play first grade. If you ask me, I’m not a reserve grade player but due to circumstances, what’s happened has happened. I’ve moved on from it. I am just happy to be back playing footy.”
South Sydney veteran Josh Mansour scored twice for the Rabbitohs.
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“(He) was overlooked after the senior players wanted him stood-down because he was drinking while recovering from the head knocks.”
There has been a few incidents now with Nofoaluma and the bottle.
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“(He) was overlooked after the senior players wanted him stood-down because he was drinking while recovering from the head knocks.”
There has been a few incidents now with Nofoaluma and the bottle.
Yeah, he might have a bit of a drinking problem. Maybe he should give it up.
Noffa has done his time purgatory I expect he will be in the team against the Silvertails even though he has been just ok in the lower grades
Noffa has done his time purgatory I expect he will be in the team against the Silvertails even though he has been just ok in the lower grades
Hasn’t exactly shown what is needed IMO. He can stay in the lower grades until he gets his head in the right space.
Noffa has done his time purgatory I expect he will be in the team against the Silvertails even though he has been just ok in the lower grades
Hasn’t exactly shown what is needed IMO. He can stay in the lower grades until he gets his head in the right space.
I agree he needs more time but it won’t happen
It’s official. Gone to the Storm for the remainder of the 2022 season.
It’s official. Gone to the Storm for the remainder of the 2022 season.
I don’t like this at all. As a club we can’t seem to man manage our better players (Matterson, Luch, and now Noffa).
