De Belin shadow hangs over season launch

The NRL will launch their season tonight by ushering in a new era. Only hours earlier Jack de Belin will be in Federal Court.

The shadow of Jack de Belin’s case hangs over the NRL season launch. Picture: Brett Costello

The NRL will launch their season tonight by ushering in a new era. Sadly, only hours before NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg heralds the start of the season, a potentially devastating problem from their recent past is set to rear its head in room 19E of the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney.

St George Illawarra’s Jack de Belin will this afternoon head to the Federal Court to commence legal action against the ARL Commission over their decision to stand him down from rugby league.

De Belin, the first player to fall foul of the ARL Commission’s new policy dictating automatic stand-downs for players charged with serious criminal offences, has been pondering his legal options since he was suspended by the NRL.

He has now opted to proceed with legal action, although he has done so without the backing of St George Illawarra. The Dragons confirmed last night that they were not a party in the case — it is believed they made a late decision to withdraw their support.

The outcome of de Belin’s case has the potential to wreak havoc for the code.

Following public outcry over the behaviour of players, the ARL Commission and NRL took extensive legal advice before announcing a new rule which dictated players charged with offences carrying a maximum prison sentence of 11 or more years would be automatically stood down.

De Belin has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, which meant he was captured under the changed landscape.

His legal team were tight-lipped last night but it is believed they are pursuing a declaration from the court to prevent the NRL bringing in the new rule.

Their argument is believed to centre around the new rule acting as a restraint of trade and interfering with an existing contract — de Belin is in the middle of a long-term deal that he signed before the new rule was announced.

Further, they have accused the NRL of misleading conduct by suggesting de Belin has been stood down when the rule hasn’t officially come into effect yet.

While the ARL Commission announced the new rule last week, they are still waiting to receive the final drafting. The case could take up to six weeks to be heard, but de Belin is likely to seek an interlocutory injunction to allow him to play in round one.

A hearing on that injunction would likely take place next week.

The NRL last night confirmed they had received documents from de Belin’s legal team and were reviewing the information. It is understood the Rugby League Players Association has also been in contact with de Belin’s legal team and support his right to take action through the courts.

Under the terms of his no-fault ban, de Belin continues to be paid and train with the Dragons. However, he is not allowed to play, be in the dressing sheds or have any active role with the team on game day.

His legal team raised their concerns with The Weekend Australian just over a week ago, saying de Belin’s right to a fair hearing would be damage should he be stood down.

The NRL went ahead anyway and now they are facing a legal fight that threatens to undermine their authority.

The decision could also have repercussions for the other players who have been stood down under the new rule catering for Greenberg to use his discretion — Manly centre Dylan Walker and Penrith half Tyrone May have been suspended in recent weeks.

Revelations of legal action come at the worst possible time for the NRL given the game is in the grips of a social media crisis involving lewd videos.

Amid the drama, the NRL will launch its season in Sydney’s eastern suburbs tonight, a host of emerging stars to take centre stage in a move designed to highlight the game’s fresh faces.

The NRL unveiled their new ad campaign over the past 48 hours, the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Kalyn Ponga and Damien Cook the stars of the show.

“Our Telstra Premiership campaign this year is based around the new era emerging for the game,” NRL head of strategy and business Andrew Abdo said.

“The strength of our sport is the connection between our clubs and their communities. This is the essence of our brand campaign and why all our clubs and a full collective of new era players will be part of our season launch this year.

“The likes of Kalyn Ponga, Jason Taumalolo and Josh Addo-Carr are our next generation of superstars. They’ll be joined by our captains at the season launch.

“We have 16 clubs, and 16 sets of supporters and members. We feature at least one of these new era players from each of our clubs in our launch campaign as well as a female player from our four women’s teams for the first time.

“This season represents a pivotal year for the game. While many great players have retired, a new generation of young talent is emerging, and exciting fans like never-before.

“We also have a world-class venue opening this year, that will redefine the event experience for fans from a number of clubs.

New concepts such as the Magic Round in Brisbane, also provide innovative ways for fans to connect with the game, and share their passion.

“This is a new exciting era for the game and a new way of launching our season at the home of the reigning premiers.”