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The Australian Federal Court has today given Jack de Belin’s chances of playing this NRL season a small boost, despite the case being adjourned until next Thursday – the start of the 2019 NRL season.
Despite the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) approving last week’s newly-announced no-fault stand down policy, the policy is yet to be enacted – meaning the policy technically doesn’t exist yet in a legal sense.
The NRL had previously promised to have the policy enacted in time for the start of the season, but will be up against the clock to have their controversial new legislation ratified by the time the case is heard again on March 14.
However, the Federal Court judge did warn the NRL that – as the policy had not been enacted – De Belin will be free to play in the NRL until it does.
Corey Hammond of WIN News is also reporting that the judge said suggestions of De Belin being stood down could be damaging to his reputation, given the policy hasn’t been enforced.
The Dragons forward was charged with aggravated sexual assault over the offseason, to which he has pled not guilty.
His case, as well as a domestic violence charge levelled against Dylan Walker (who has also pled not guilty), was seen as the catalyst behind the NRL bringing in this new policy after a horror scandal-laden offseason.
MORE TO COME
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