NRL 2022: Storm, Warriors request ruling on suspended stars after Latrell Mitchell’s judiciary verdict
The Warriors and Storm have asked the NRL for a ruling on whether two of their stars could have their suspensions reduced after Latrell Mitchell was cleared to return earlier than expected.
NRL
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Melbourne and the Warriors have asked the NRL whether the Latrell Mitchell judiciary precedent can be used to reduce the suspensions of their banned stars Brandon Smith and Reece Walsh.
News Corp understands that both the Storm and the Warriors emailed the NRL on Wednesday morning requesting a ruling on whether Smith and Walsh could have their suspensions reduced by one game given both would have been near certain to play in the All Stars game.
Smith and Walsh are both set to miss the start of the premiership after being handed bans for off-field indiscretions late last year.
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The fact they were slapped with bans for off-field incidents means a final decision on whether they receive some leniency will rest with NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo rather than judiciary chairman Geoff Bellew.
Bellew cleared the way for Mitchell to return a week early after he accepted a South Sydney submission that the All Stars game should be included in the suspension he incurred at the end of last season for a high shot on Sydney Roosters star Joey Manu.
Crucially, Mitchell was considered a certain starter for the Indigenous All Stars. Likewise, Smith would have walked into the Maori All Stars team while Walsh would have been available for either the Indigenous or the Maori side through his parentage.
Walsh was handed a two-match ban after being caught on the Gold Coast late last year with a bag of cocaine.
Smith was served with a one-match ban after he and teammates Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis were filmed in a room with white powder during the postseason.
The clubs are fighting an uphill battle to convince Abdo to rule in their favour given the rules state that bans for integrity incidents deem that the player concerned must miss an NRL competition game.
“I have asked the question of Andrew — would he reconsider the NRL-imposed classification of games,” Warriors chief executive Cameron George said. “It is important for me that the NRL are consistent with the classification of games and the status of games.
“So I have asked him to reconsider his position based on the decision made by the judiciary yesterday that the All Stars game is classified in their view as a representative game.”
George said the game needed to ensure there was consistency between head office and the judiciary when it came to meting out bans.
“I am not worried about the penalty, whether it is two or three or five or six (games),” George said. “But now that the judiciary has changed the goalposts in what they deem a representative game, all I am asking is for Andrew to have the same classification for the game.
“If he does accept that and they are consistent, that is great for everyone, whether it is Reece Walsh or someone else.
“You have to understand why the question is being asked (now). No one asked the question until the goalposts moved. There is always a ripple effect.”
The Storm also confirmed they had formally requested that Abdo review the sanction handed down to Smith in light of the Mitchell decision.
It is understood some Storm officials also queried what the Mitchell call would mean for hooker Harry Grant, who will also miss the start of the season due to an on-field suspension he received at the end of last season.
Grant was unable to represent either the Indigenous or Maori All Stars, meaning he is unable to gain any benefit from the Mitchell decision.
Abdo is expected to hand down a final decision on Thursday and the repercussions for both the Storm and Warriors are immense.
Walsh and Smith are among the top tier players at both clubs and their presence would enhance both side’s prospects in round one.
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