The investigation into Brisbane flyer James Roberts’ alleged drunken incidents must take into account his troubled history, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg says.
The Broncos are investigating claims Roberts has had two drunken run-ins with bar staff in Brisbane during this month.
In one incident, Roberts reportedly received a 10-day banning order from police after allegedly spitting on a bar manager.
The 23-year-old has already been sacked by South Sydney and Penrith in his short NRL career for off-field indiscretions and Greenberg says that will be taken into account during any judgment.
“We always, as we look at judgments on players, look at previous misdemeanours,” Greenberg said.
“There’s no doubt that will create some of our discussion.
“I’ve got to say what I keep hearing from the Broncos is great support for this player and that’s what the game is continuing to do. We need to support our young players.”
Greenberg says the NRL is confident of reaching an outcome in the investigation by the end of the week.
Whether that will result in a suspension is unclear and Greenberg denied the situation is the same as the one involving Sydney Roosters star Mitchell Pearce which ended in an eight-week ban for the ex-NSW Origin player.
“We don’t benchmark one against the other. I understand why the fans do. We can only deal with the facts and we judge those facts in front of us,” he said.
“Until such time as we have those facts in front of me and the integrity unit, it’s very tough to speculate.”
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
The litmus test is this : if you are going to have a few drinks, are you able to guarantee what your behaviour will be later on? It doesn't matter if you start at 8 o'clock in the morning or after training. What effect does the soup have on you? That's the question. It's not a slur on the person to point out the obvious, but it does need to be identified in order to take action to stop it. It's not a character defect - it's a condition. It affects all stratas of society and affects women and men equally.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I know of a certain only just former wallaby who was as fit as they come but would drink everyday at a high level after training. It's possible mate. Very possible
steveng
Roar Rookie
'S.L. Craven' he's 'NOT AN ALCOHOLIC' who are you trying to kid??? Roberts is one of the fittest guys in the NRL and the fasters also, he's just a young guy who (once he has a few too many) and gets on a binge, he cannot handle the grog and goes crazy. It happens to allot of people that are not addicts and abuse alcohol and/or drugs once in a while, its as simple as that.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
And the alleged "other" snapchat that didn't air like Normans did
S.L. Craven
Guest
The elephant in the room is that the fellow is -allegedly - an alcoholic. The best thing thing the NRL can do for him is frog march him to AA.