NRL 2023: Valentine Holmes issued breach notice, facing $20,000 fine and one-match ban

Valentine Holmes’ now infamous white bag prank is set to hit the Cowboys star hard after he was found to have brought the game into disrepute by associating it with illegal drugs.

Valentine Holmes’ prank with a white bag has already cost him at the Prime Minister’s selection table and it is set to hit him hard in the back pocket as well after he was found to have brought the game into disrepute by associating it with illegal drugs.

Holmes has five business days to respond to the NRL breach notice but he is staring down the barrel of a fine and ban after posting an image on social media last weekend with a white bag in his mouth.

This masthead understands that Holmes told the Cowboys and NRL that it was a prank gone wrong but head office decided it was no laughing matter as they outlined their plans to sanction the Cowboys and Queensland star.

It is understood Holmes is facing at least a one-game ban and a fine of at least $20,000 over the incident, which came after the Cowboys were eliminated from the NRL finals race a fortnight ago.

Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, any proposed sanction is only disclosed after the player has had the chance to respond to the alleged breach and the matter is finalised.

He may also feel further pain at the representative selection table. Holmes was expected to be front and centre when Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga sat down to select his side for the upcoming Pacific Nations tournament, but his position is now at risk given a ban is likely to be handed down by the NRL.

Valentine Holmes has not been selected to play in the Prime Minister’s XIII. Picture: Getty Images

He was a surprise omission from the Prime Minister’s XIII side after he was overlooked when the squad was announced on Wednesday morning.

The side was selected after talks between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga.

It was felt during those talks that it would be in the best interests of the game and the code for Holmes to be overlooked given he had an investigation hanging over his head.

Holmes met the NRL integrity unit earlier this week where it is believed he told them that he did not dabble in drugs despite the image which briefly appeared on his own social-media account, before being deleted.

The Cowboys made preliminary contact with Holmes on Sunday as a preamble to an official hearing on Monday that included the NRL integrity unit, who probed the Queensland and Australia centre via Zoom.

Instagram image of Valentine Holmes.

Valentine Holmes. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

It is understood Holmes made it clear in the inquiry that he did not use cocaine or any other illicit substance. He reiterated his stance that the image, which also showed him holding a drink, was a puerile prank gone wrong.

It wasn’t enough to save his place in the PM XIII side, an indication that his place in the Kangaroos squad for the Pacific Nations tournament is under threat.

The Kangaroos are facing a dire shortage in the centres - Zac Lomax and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are expected to fill the positions for the PM XIII - but even that may not be enough to save Holmes.

“Being Prime Minister is a great honour,” Albanese said.

“I enjoy every part of the job, but a fun part is getting to pick the PM’s XIII sides. These contests represent far more than just a couple of games of footy. Papua New Guinea and Australia are the closest of neighbours and we are the best of friends.

“We are working together to build a more prosperous, stable and peaceful region. Rugby League is an opportunity to celebrate our friendship and strengthen our partnership. I am really looking forward to Cam (Murray) and Tallisha (Harden) leading out their teams in Port Moresby, and know the contest will be great for the game, a thrill for all the players selected and another important step forward for our region.”

V’landys congratulated all players on their selection in a special team.

“These players have performed exceptionally well throughout the season and have earned the chance to wear the green and gold for Australia,” V’landys said.

“I congratulate the players selected for both teams as to represent your country is the ultimate achievement. It’s also an inspiration for fans in Australia and of course the fans in PNG, where rugby league means so much.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Valentine Holmes issued breach notice, facing $20,000 fine and one-match ban