Corey Norman to miss start of NRL season, Horsburgh and Harawira-Naera cop bans

St George Illawarra will be missing one of their star halves when the NRL season kicks off, as two Raiders learn their DUI punishment.

Dragons star Corey Norman. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

RLPA has hit out at the NRL’s decision to uphold a suspension for St George Illawarra player Corey Norman for his part in a Cronulla street fight.

Just days out before the start of the season the NRL was handing out punishments for poor player behaviour. Norman will miss St George Illawarra’s opening match of the season against Cronulla while Canberra duo Corey Horsburgh and Corey Harawira-Naera have been suspended for one and two games respectively for drink-driving offences.

Norman met with NRL boss Andrew Abdo last week and submitted a detailed document to try and have his two-game ban quashed. Instead it was reduced by a game with a $10,000 fine.

RLPA boss Clint Newton said he would work with the NRL on “developing an improved integrity system”.

“We are not supportive of the revised sanctions handed down to Corey by the NRL,” Newton said.

“It is a disappointing outcome given the circumstances of the situation Corey was faced with and the detailed explanation put forward by Corey regarding it.”.

Corey Norman will miss the Dragons’ Round 1 clash. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

It is understood Norman will not seek leave to appeal to the NRL’s appeal’s committee. St George Illawarra boss Ryan Webb added the club was “disappointed with the outcome but we have gone through a through process and now we have to look forward to the season ahead”.

Norman’s place is expected to be taken by Adam Clune after rookie half Jayden Sullivan suffered a hamstring injury.

Abdo said he “did not accept” Norman’s explanation that he had no option but be involved in a street fight.

“After listening to Corey and his views and considering all the material provided, I have determined that the provisional sanction should be adjusted,” Abdo said.

“We have been clear and consistent that provocation is not an excuse to engage in any form of violence. Corey is a high-profile player who was involved in a street fight, we expect better decision making from him.”

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Corey Norman met with NRL boss Andrew Abdo last week and submitted a detailed document to try and have his two-game ban quashed. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Canberra’s Horsburgh was hit with a breach notice for his low-range drink driving charge with the NRL imposing a one-game ban and a suspended $5000 fine. Raiders teammate Harawira-Naera will be suspended for two matches and fined $10,000.

Horsburgh pleaded guilty to low-range drink driving in court last month while Harawira-Naera has indicated he will plead guilty to his mid-range offence on March 25. Harawira-Naera’s sanction takes into account his “prior offences and the blood alcohol range”.

Horbsburgh said he had “learnt” his lesson.

“I won’t be doing that again,” Horsburgh said. “I stuffed up.”

The trio must complete an education program.

Originally published as Corey Norman to miss start of NRL season, Horsburgh and Harawira-Naera cop bans