Penrith and NSW halfback Nathan Cleary has become the latest high-profile NRL player to be involved in a social distancing controversy.
Former Penrith supremo Phil Gould has called for Nathan Cleary to be banned for the season as the NRL investigates whether he broke social distancing laws.
Cleary could find himself in hot water after Penrith forwarded images to the NRL on Tuesday morning of him alongside five women on Anzac Day.
It has left the NSW State of Origin halfback as the latest player be under the spotlight of coronavirus regulations, as the NRL tries desperately to restart their season.
South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell and Melbourne’s Josh Addo-Carr were both fined $1000 by NSW Police on Monday for flouting social distancing laws on a mid-north coast property.
Gould had already called for both those players to be banned for the season, and said he made no exception for Penrith’s marquee man and the player he’d help develop since he was 18.
“No excuse. Serious breach … For mine, blanket penalties should apply,” Gould tweeted.
“What I do know is that the more instances made public, the less likely it will be that Govt will permit a restart of competition.
“The players were warned. They were given strict guidelines.
“They have caused a huge issue for the code. Huge ramifications for their future careers.”
In the images broadcast by Nine, Cleary is seen sitting on a couch alongside the women, with one laying across him.
According to the network, the star NSW halfback contacted his Panthers teammates and club officials to apologise and take full responsibility.
Nine said Clearly claimed the women were friends who had come to his house on ANZAC Day briefly before departing.
NSW government rules implemented recently during the coronavirus pandemic have restricted house visits.
However, those will be eased from Friday when a maximum of two adults – and there children if they have any – will be permitted to visit another household.
Cleary is Penrith’s biggest name player and the son of coach Ivan.
He was re-signed by Gould on a multi-million dollar deal in 2018 that will keep him at the club until at least 2024.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
Just for laughs, the Health department should tell the NRL they are fine with them resuming as long as they comply with the 1.5m social distancing guidelines.
Dayer
Roar Rookie
vote 1 for SM for NRL ceo, you got my vote. :happy:
1.5 metres please
Guest
I haate the dogs just as much as the wabbits , so after he implodes this year at the wabbits, I’d actually like to see the dogs take him on board , so he can finalise the implosion there .
Paul
Roar Guru
don't start agreeing with Gus! That's a bad habit you don't want to start :happy:
Ian_
Roar Rookie
I'd think that what should happen if players break quarantine once the pre-season training starts up, that the entire club goes into 14 days quarantine, and if there are games within that 14 days, too bad, they forfeit them. Thus if one player screws up, they let their whole club and the game as a whole down.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
No problem. These are senior RL players and the laws and rules that apply to you and I don't apply to them. Want to cross State borders or ignore social distancing laws and rules? No problem. Want to ignore specific orders from the NRL while it tries desperately to ensure that exorbitant salaries continue to be paid to arrogant entitled players? No problem. I feel sorry for V'landys who is working very hard for these boofheads. V'landys works for NSW horse racing, and he probably feels at the moment that horses have more sense than RL players.
Eelsalmighty
Roar Rookie
I take your point, for the most part I agree, and it just feels so wrong to me to even contemplate a serious punishment for such an incident. That said, and as per my example above, the potential consequences of these actions are just so dire. They're so dire (only half tongue in cheek) I'm finding myself agreeing with Gus.
Clanger McClunk
Roar Rookie
Thanks DS. Cousin Bob told me, He likes to have a beer with Duncan, he likes to have a beer with Dunc, they drink in moderation and never ever, ever get rolling drunk, they drink at the White Horse Camperdown, where the atmosphere is great, he likes to have a beer with Duncan 'cos Duncan's his mate.
Nick
Roar Guru
As of Friday in NSW, 2 non-related/non-dating adults will be allowed to visit each other...so long as the tackles are limited to ball carrier plus the tackler they'll be legal. :p Should see a few 1 on 1 strips this year!
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Good to see you back, Clanger. I used to drink with your cousin Bobby McClunk at the White Horse hotel in Camperdown.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
These three boys are all part of Freddie's cleanskin NSW Origin side, aren't they? Kick'em out and bring back Fergo and Duges!
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
:thumbdown:
Rob
Guest
LOL. It would appear some of the 2019 culture has been revisited. Just ban all contact with girls and cameras in the same room Ivan.
Rob
Guest
How do they tackle without breaking the social distancing rule?
Rob
Guest
Don’t think Ivan is into ice cream for dessert as it appears he prefers other things?
kk
Roar Pro
My sons are Souths fanatics. They are starting to have doubts about Latrell. When I suggest a switch to Canterbury they look at me (each 1.5 M away) as though I have finally lost it!
Nick
Roar Guru
the code has a way to go... You better believe it. Yet all of these problems should have been solved long, long ago. Many of those problems should even exist to begin with.
kk
Roar Pro
It's grim when you see a list like that. The code has a way to go. Agree . Except, 8 weeks and $20K fine would be satisfactory punishment.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't think people have become any more stupid, Clanger ( except those who try and take selfies on the edge of cliffs). It's just that until recently, stupid people didn't have a means to show the rest of the world how dumb so many could be
Paul
Roar Guru
I was thinking the same thing, but the NRL would open itself up for serious litigation if anyone of these guys caught the virus and/or spread it.