Opinion: Corey Norman’s ban tells NRL players they can’t defend themselves in public

The NRL is right to crack down on off-field incidents. But it should be careful punishing players like Corey Norman when targeted by punters, writes Dean Ritchie.

Corey Norman in action. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Yes, the NRL must be vigilant in eradicating off-field drama – but, gee, the game’s governing body must tread very carefully.

Just because a player is involved in an indiscretion doesn’t automatically mean he is guilty and should be suspended or fined.

Off-field incidents aren’t always the fault of a player.

Just being an NRL player but doesn’t guarantee guilt.

Surely a player has the right to defend himself, his friends, family and loved ones?

Dragons player Corey Norman was suspended and fined for rushing to the aid of a mate, who was about to be beaten up by four thugs.

What was Norman supposed to do? Run away and be accused of being a coward?

Violence isn’t the answer but Norman had a right to try and help his mate.

It would be un-Australian to flee on a friend.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Corey Norman watches a Dragons trial from the stands. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The NRL must be aware that players are provoked and, like most, feel a duty and responsibility to assist a friend in trouble.

Talk about damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

Norman stays and fights, he is run out of the game. He runs away and is labelled a weakling.

The NRL must allow players the right to man-up and defend themselves and mates against drunk hoodlums seeking to be heroes.

Kicking out every player caught up in an incident is dangerous and unfair.

I’d want my mates to step in if I was in trouble.

I’m sure NRL management would too.

GRIFFIN: NORMAN WAS RACIALLY ABUSED

– Dean Ritchie

St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin says Corey Norman was the “victim” and “hard done by” after the NRL imposed a suspension and $20,000 fine

Griffin is adamant Norman, who has until Thursday to lodge an appeal, engaged in a Sydney street fight after being racially vilified.

The Dragons utility was involved in a brawl at Cronulla during a night out on January 22. The NRL deemed Norman brought the game into disrepute and delivered a two-match ban with one of those matches suspended for 12 months.

Griffin, however, launched a spirited defence of Norman, saying: “I wouldn’t defend any of my players if I thought they were in the wrong”.

The incident continues a string of off field dramas which has plagued Norman, a former Queensland State of Origin player.

“Corey hasn’t done himself any favours in the past and he would be the first to admit that, but I think in this situation he’s been hard done by,” Griffin said.

“I’m not disrespecting the process that the NRL goes through to come up with these decisions but the police report that we’ve got identified him as the victim in the situation.

“I think we have to be careful as a game going forward in these situations. He had a mate that had four guys that wanted to flog him in the street.

“The evidence they put forward was they were racially vilified so if we’re going to ask our players just to stand back and cop verbal and physical abuse, and they can’t get involved... I think we have to be very careful.

“I wouldn’t defend any of my players if I thought they were in the wrong but I think there wasn’t much else Corey could do in this situation.”

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo did “accept there was a degree of provocation.”

Broncos captain Alex Glenn defended Norman.

“Honestly? NRL please explain how this is acceptable to fine a player and suspend him for doing nothing but try and defend himself and his mate from a group of people who clearly targeted and outnumbered them?” Glenn write on social media.

“Let me guess, the boys who jumped @coreynnorman and @chicko9 get away scot-free?

“... It’s going to take one of us players to get put in the hospital because we can’t defend ourselves in fear of your punishment before you realise that this was wrong? You’re meant to be protecting us. This is absolutely ludicrous.”

The Dragons will gauge their pre-season progress under Griffin after Saturday’s

Charity Shield game against South Sydney in Mudgee.

Anthony Griffin has jumped to the defence of Corey Norman. Digital image by Gregg Porteous � NRL Photos

Player departures, off field incidents and injures have ensured a challenging start at the joint venture club for Griffin, the former Broncos and Panthers head coach.

“Obviously you’re judged by wins and losses,” Griffin told the Big Sports Breakfast Weekend radio program.

“We have to win as many games as possible. I want to play in the playoffs, as a coach, every year, no matter what club you’re at, you want to be in the mix.

“The first thing I would judge us on would be the way we play, who we are and what identity we have as a team.

“Everything I have seen up until now with the way the players have prepared, and the staff we have, has been really good. I want a club that everyone can be proud of – all of those 70,000 to 80,000 passionate supporters that are out there.

“I want them to look at their team every weekend and say: ‘I’m glad I support this team’ because of the way we play and the performances we put out there.

“I’m not going to say we might improve – or mightn’t improve – in certain areas. We want to improve everywhere and I want to play finals, mate.

“Whether we get there or not, we will need everyone involved in the club to be happy with the identity of the club and their football team every time they watch them play. That’s the way I view the club at the moment.”

DRAGONS WEIGH UP APPEAL AGAINST NORMAN BAN

– Michael Carayannis and David Riccio

Adam Clune has the inside running to partner Ben Hunt as St George Illawarra’s halves while the club considers appealing Corey Norman’s one-week ban.

Norman has been fined $20,000 and will miss the opening round of the NRL season following an alleged street fight also involving former NRL player James Segeyaro in Cronulla last month.

Norman also has a further one-game suspension hanging over his head for any further off-field indiscretion and will be required to undergo some NRL education programs.

St George Illawarra and Norman will spend the weekend considering the ban and have five days to appeal the decision with the NRL.

Dragons playmaker Corey Norman and former Panther James Segeyaro have claimed racial abuse led to an alleged brawl on a Cronulla street.

St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin said Norman would play in Saturday’s Charity Shield and would spend time in the halves alongside Clune and Hunt.

Clune, who played 15 games last year, is expected to be given first crack in the Dragons’ round one clash against the Sharks.

Griffin confirmed the trio, as well as impressive rookie Jayden Sullivan, would receive game time against the Rabbitohs in Mudgee.

“Hunt, Norman and Clune will get most of the time there,” Griffin said. “We will give them as much footy as we can. That would have happened no matter what the situation with Corey.

“Clune played a lot of footy there last year. Sullivan has performed really well in the first two trials. It’s a bonus to have so much depth there.”

Jack Bird made his long-awaited return to the field for the Dragons in their 28-6 trial loss to Parramatta last Thursday, playing 25 minutes at left centre. Despite publicly declaring that is where he wants to start the season, Griffin expects Bird to spend some time in the back-row.

“Jack wants to play everywhere,” Griffin said.

“He didn’t get much to do — a couple of carries and a few tackles. That’s all we wanted him to do, feeling some contact and getting some confidence. This week is going to be the week where he plays a lot of minutes.

Adam Clune is the frontrunner to take Corey Norman’s spot in the halves in round one. Picture: Getty Images

“The standard will be a lot higher than last week. Last week was a good rehab experience to get him through some game time and mentally get him through that first game.

“The physio thought it might be better for him to have a position off the ball. He is still going to spend time in a couple of positions in the next month.”

The Dragons are also yet to decide on who will wear the No.13 jersey given the season-ending injury to Cameron McInnes.

Griffin nominated Tariq Sims, Jackson Ford and Tyrell Fuimaono as options.