Jack de Belin could be free to play on Anzac Day if successful in the federal court

Jack de Belin could learn the outcome of his case against the ARLC next week, meaning he could be free to play for the Dragons in their Anzac Day blockbuster against the Roosters.

Jack De Belin could be free to play on Anzac Day if successful in the Federal Court. Pic Mark Evans

Jack de Belin could learn the outcome of his case against the NRL and ARL Commission as early as next Tuesday, meaning he could be free to play for St George Illawarra in their Anzac Day blockbuster against the Sydney Roosters.

de Belin’s case will wind up in Federal Court on Thursday with Melbourne Storm chairman Bart Campbell to take the witness stand and closing remarks.

The Dragons star forward is suing the game after he was stood down under the game’s controversial “no fault” policy.

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For the past three days, de Belin’s lawyers have argued NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie had no justification for the policy, which was described by barrister Martin Einfeld as “draconian”.

Justice Melissa Perry could hand down her judgment as early as Tuesday.

Should de Belin be successful, the Dragons would be able to make an application to the NRL to allow him to be included in their team to take on the Roosters in the traditional Anzac Day clash on Thursday, which is expected to attract a bumper crowd to the SCG.

de Belin was stood down after he was charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman.

He has pleaded not guilty.

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His case, and that of co-accused Callan Sinclair, were mentioned in Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday and were adjourned to May 29.

de Belin’s legal team have argued that the NRL had no evidence of de Belin’s actions or purported misconduct before standing him down.

Einfeld has also made the case that there are a plethora of reasons why people might walk away from the game including refereeing controversies, concerns about concussion and alcohol and gambling advertising.

In his testimony on Wednesday, Greenberg said that he was concerned about the impact player behaviour was having on women and that they would walk away from the game.

He told the court some of his daughter’s friends had told him they were refusing to play casual touch rugby league because of the game’s so-called “summer from hell”.

Originally published as Jack de Belin could be free to play on Anzac Day if successful in the federal court