Corey Norman incident couldn’t come at worse time for Parramatta Eels

PARRAMATTA keep telling fans to hang in with the players. Those fans are entitled to ask why Corey Norman was even at the casino at 11pm on Friday.

PARRAMATTA keep telling fans to hang in with the players. Those same fans are entitled to ask why Corey Norman was even out at The Star casino at 11pm on Friday when he was allegedly caught in possession of some capsules.

Unfortunately, we can’t give you Norman’s explanation today because when the 25-year-old finished training on Sunday he did not leave Pirtek Stadium with his teammates.

Instead, the star playmaker ducked out of a side exit.

Corey Norman trains with the Eels. Picture: Stephen Cooper

You can only assume this pending police investigation was an unnecessary distraction for a player who on Monday night will be crucial to the Eels’ hopes.

This incident allegedly happened less than 72 hours before the crucial clash against Melbourne.

Parramatta released a statement on Sunday to say the NRL had been notified and they were working with Norman and his management to gather all relevant information.

Regardless of the findings, fans are entitled to know why Norman found himself in such circumstances given the recent dramas at the club.

Remember, the Eels needs to win 12 of their remaining 14 games to stay alive in the finals race.

It is believed Arthur was made aware of the incident on Saturday. But when the coach spoke to the media on Sunday he gave no indication.

Corey Norman, Kieran Foran and the Eels train at Pirtek Stadium. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Arthur had arrived shortly after 8am to a waiting swarm of media which gathered to question him about Kieran Foran’s fragile mental state.

After being released by a Brisbane rehabilitation clinic, it was revealed Foran had lost $75,000 from his TAB account in a matter of hours.

While it is not known if Foran made those mind-boggling bets, the law states only the individual who owns the account can make trans­actions from the account.

All this comes on the back of the recent salary cap investigation that threatens to strip Parramatta of 12 competition points , $1 million and has already cost the club inspirational hooker Nathan Peats.

Not what the Eels need going into Monday night’s clash against an in-form Melbourne Storm.

Before Sunday’s latest allegations, Arthur was asked if Norman would have found it difficult to handle speculation suggesting it was either him or Peats who would be forced out.

“No, nothing fazes Corey,” Arthur said.

Corey Norman (left) arrives at Pirtek Stadium for training.

“He is here to play football and have fun. That’s all.”

Arthur will hope that’s the case on Monday night. If Parramatta lose this game their challenge to stay alive this season becomes virtually impossible.

As he has done so many times in recent months, Arthur handled questions relating to Foran with class and professionalism on Sunday.

“Look, I think the time has come where the player’s personal life has to be kept out of the media,” Arthur said.

“They are footballers but they are people. I just think a little bit of privacy would go a long way.”

He said Foran was in the strongest mental state he had seen him in for a while, and that taking the field on Monday night was in Foran’s best interests.

“On the recommendation from his doctor the football part of it is part of his process of getting better,” Arthur said.

Parramatta's Corey Norman during Parramatta Eels rugby league training. Picture: Brett Costello

“They are happy with where he is at. He will go back on Tuesday to have an assessment and see how he went.”

Arthur would not go into details as to how long Foran had been suffering from his personal issues.

“That needs to be a question Kieran answers for you when he is ready to talk to the media,” Arthur said.

As for Norman’s head space, we wait and see.

Asked what the message was to the fans, Arthur said: “ They have been great for us. They need to continue to support us. I know it seems hard to listen to but we will push through this and there will be a time when this all stops and they just have to stay strong.

“The players are staying strong. We will come out the other ­­side and what better way to start than ­tomorrow night with a really strong performance.”