The NRL announced on Monday that St George Illawarra prop George Burgess will be “permitted to continue playing while subject to criminal proceedings”.
In the statement, the NRL said “so as not to prejudice Burgess’ criminal proceedings case, the NRL will wait the outcome of that case before taking any action for possible breaches of NRL rules. The decision in no way forms a judgement on the allegations against Burgess which are serious and the NRL reserves the right to impose a No Fault Stand Down in the future”.
Burgess has been charged with sexual touching without consent over an alleged incident before the start of the NRL season. He denies any wrongdoing. He played one match for the Dragons in Round 2 but was stood down for last week’s loss to Cronulla after initially being named in the 24-man squad.
The Dragons, take on the Eels at CommBank Stadium on Sunday, issued a statement of their own to say: “Burgess will continue to train with the team and be considered for first grade selection. Out of the respect to the legal process now underway, the club will make no further comment until the matter is concluded.”
.
Brandon Smith ended any lingering doubt about a supposed feud with Latrell Mitchell in true “Hectic Cheese” fashion with a hilarious apology.
Smith filmed a video apology for The Matty Johns Show on Sunday night in the wake of cameras catching him mocking Mitchell’s ear to the crowd gesture following his field goal against Melbourne in Round 2.
The Kiwi international claimed it was all a misunderstanding that his “medical doctors” can confirm was all due to an ear infection.
“What’s doing Trell Mitch, it’s Brandon Smith here from the Melbourne Storm, huge fan of yours mate,” Smith said.
NRL Injuries & Suspensions: Club by club
“I just wanted to send you in a quick video to you know smooth things over on the real events that really happened, you know how the media can be, they can really play it out but obviously after the game you saw me doing the Hulk Hogan, but in all honesty mate, what was happening was and my medical doctors can attest to this, I had a severe ear infection and whilst Munster was talking to me about your drop kick, I couldn’t quite hear him so that’s why I made that action.
“But yeah, you know I love you bra so good win on the weekend.”
Mitchell, who was a studio guest on the show, reacted in the only way possible, laughing along and cheering Smith for his cheeky response.
Robbie Farah took to social media to refute claims he was undermining Michael Maguire after a radio station claimed an expletive-laden rant was directed at the coach.
Sydney’s 2GB read out an email from a listener who said they were a spectator at the Wests Tigers’ loss to the Warriors at Campbelltown on Friday and overheard Farah dropping F-bombs and C-bombs while complaining to a player about the coach and that assistant coach Nathan Cayless had to calm him down.
Farah posted screenshots on Twitter of his response to 2GB host Mark Levy explaining he was blowing up on the sideline because “there was a communication breakdown about an interchange I was supposed to make. Nothing whatsoever to do with the coaches”.
He wrote alongside the screenshots: Laughable how the media can make a story from nothing. In the words of @marklevy2gb “Tigers are an easy punching bag atm”. He was true to his word. I’m Madge’s #1 fan. Gonna have to try harder than that to tear us apart!! Nothing to see here.”
Penrith skipper Isaah Yeo’s flawless start to the season has propelled him to the outright lead in the Dally M Medal race.
Yeo polled three votes for the third straight week to open up a two-point gap at the top of the leaderboard from Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Playmakers Jack Wighton, Jake Clifford and Nicho Hynes are nipping at their heels on six.
Dragons v Sharks, Thursday at WIN Stadium: 3 – Nicho Hynes, 2 – Siosifa Talakai, 1 – Ben Hunt. Judge: Roy Masters.
Wests Tigers v Warriors, Friday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium: 3 – Reece Walsh, 2 – Josh Curran, 1 – Oliver Gildart. Judge: Luke Lewis.
Rabbitohs v Roosters, Friday at Accor Stadium: 3 – Cameron Murray, 2 – Cody Walker, 1 – Damien Cook. Judge: Andrew Johns.
Panthers v Knights, Saturday at Carrington Park, Bathurst: 3 – Isaah Yeo, 2 – Jarome Luai, 1 – Taylan May. Judge: Brett Kimmorley.
Storm v Eels, Saturday at AAMI Park: 3 – Ryan Papenhuyzen, 2 – Dylan Brown, 1 – Clint Gutherson. Judge: David Shillington.
Raiders v Titans, Saturday at GIO Stadium: 3 – Jack Wighton, 2 – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 1 – Tom Starling. Judge: Greg Alexander.
Broncos v Cowboys, Sunday at Suncorp Stadium: 3 – Jeremiah Nanai, 2 – Valentine Holmes, 1 – Tom Dearden. Judge: Gary Belcher.
Sea Eagles v Bulldogs, Sunday at 4 Pines Park: 3 – Daly Cherry-Evans, 2 – Tom Trbojevic, 1 – Jeremy Marshall-King. Judge: Scott Sattler.
| Isaah Yeo | 6 |
| Jake Clifford | 6 |
| Mitch Moses | 5 |
| Ryan Papenhuyzen | 5 |
| Nicho Hynes | 3 |
| Luke Thompson | 3 |
| Jason Taumalolo | 3 |
| Payne Haas | 3 |
| Harry Grant | 3 |
| Ben Hunt | 3 |
| Beau Fermor | 3 |
| Herbie Farnworth | 3 |
| Sam Walker | 3 |
| Josh Curran | 3 |
| Jahrome Hughes | 3 |
| Jack Wighton | 3 |
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Newcastle Knights coach Adam O'Brien says his side was reading too much in the media about how good they were going as they got…
The Bulldogs went into Friday night’s clash without two Origin stars and lost another one midway through the match. Newcastle didn’t have anyone in…
Reed Mahoney got into the head of Jacob Saifiti big time with the Newcastle forward very lucky not to be sent off after headbutting…
Josh Addo-Carr did his hamstring just minutes into the second half trudging off the field after earlier scoring a double
A big melee broke out just before half-time with Reed Mahoney singled out by the referee, but Cooper Cronk on commentary thought it was…
David Armstrong copped a shoulder from Conner Tracey right on the try line, but the bunker ruled it was a professional foul and not…
