Melbourne Storm hire top lawyer to clear Billy Slater from shoulder charge for NRL grand final
MELBOURNE Storm have enlisted the services of the man who helped free Justin Hodges from being rubbed out of the 2015 grand final to clear Billy Slater for next weekend’s NRL decider.
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MELBOURNE Storm have enlisted the services of the man who helped free Justin Hodges when the Broncos skipper was on the verge of being rubbed out of the 2015 decider as they look to mount a defence to clear star fullback Billy Slater.
Nick Ghabar will once again front up to the judiciary hearing with Ghabar fast becoming the go-to guy for clubs in these situations as the Storm mount a defence to fight Slater’s charge.
The Storm are pinning their hopes on Ghabar having the same success he did when Hodges was found not guilty of a lifting tackle on Aidan Guerra in the lead-up to the 2015 match. Like Slater is doing this year — Hodges planned to retire at the end of the grand final.
The Storm are also using a Melbourne based QC.
“We will engage Nick Ghabar, who is a wonderful lawyer who has done a great job in the rugby league space,” Storm boss Dave Donaghy told ABC Grandstand.
The Storm’s request to have the judiciary hearing brought forward to Monday night has been rejected by the NRL.
The NRL will have a new general counsel in Anthony Lo Surdo this week with their regular barrister Peter McGrath unavailable. Lo Surdo handled a case for the NRL last year which saw Sia Soliola suspended for five weeks for a high shot on Slater.
“We would like it brought forward,” Donaghy said. “It’s whether other parties can get there to turn it around in time.”
Jahrome Hughes — who has played just 11 games this year — would likely come into the side in place of Slater.
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