Norm Black has called on the NRL to pay banned players directly if they are sidelined under the game’s controversial no-fault stand-down policy.
Matt Lodge says being an NRL player will mean a lot more to Jack de Belin this time around after high-profile off-field scandals threatened to end both their careers.
It was hard to tell if St George Illawarra fans cheered loudest for the returning Jack de Belin or unwanted Matt Dufty who lit up during the Dragons’ 52-24 win.
After almost three years sidelined under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy,Jack de Belin will finally play for the Dragons in the NRL again. The club couldn’t have chosen a softer landing.
Jack de Belin will return to the NRL on Thursday night and been backed to thrive by his St George Illawarra teammates.
The St George Illawarra forward played 44 minutes in his reserve-grade return,with Dragons coach Anthony Griffin to now decide when he will play in the NRL.
There is still work to do – outside and inside the courtroom.
Having charged into the top eight after the first five rounds,St George Illawarra’s season is in free fall after another loss to the Wests Tigers. Will the coach rush Jack de Belin back?
A day after Dragons powerbrokers savaged the NRL’s no-fault stand-down rule,Jack de Belin’s lawyer has also taken the controversial policy to task.
A judge has asked how journalists were informed that the footballer’s sexual assault case would be withdrawn before a court was notified,telling lawyers that she is not pleased and noting court proceedings are not run by the media.
The Dragons forward will make his rugby league comeback at Lidcombe Oval as the NRL stood by their no-fault stand-down policy which kept him out of the game for more than two years.