Melbourne’s Adam Blair has been suspended for the rest of the 2011 NRL season for his part in the Brookvale Oval brawl last Friday night, while fellow protagonist Glenn Stewart’s case has been adjourned for 24 hours.
The Kiwi back-rower has been ruled out for five games, given a two-match ban for the initial on-field stoush and then three weeks for the sideline blue with Stewart.
The punishment means Blair has played his last game for the Storm, as the 25-year old will move to the Wests Tigers next season.
Manly were forced to ask for a delay in the hearing of Stewart’s case after their legal representative, Christopher Branson QC, pulled out, leaving Glenn Stewart in limbo.
Stewart will face the NRL judiciary tonight and be represented by former judiciary chairman Alan Sullivan QC.
It is believed Stewart may still plead not guilty to the contrary conduct charge.
Melbourne Storm football manager Frank Ponissi told the media after the hearing that the club thought the penalty was “excessive”.
“We’re disappointed with the result, but we got a fair hearing,” Ponissi said. “It’s a big price, especially for Adam personally. It’s the end of his career at the Melbourne Storm. He’s disappointed and shattered.”
The NRL judiciary panel of Sean Garlick, Michael Buettner and Mark Coyne took 20 minutes to make its decision. The punishment dished out to Blair was below the five to seven-match ban that NRL prosecutor Peter Kite had demanded.
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