Jack de Belin to miss Charity Shield as Dylan Waker faces court

Jack de Belin is expected to be omitted from the Dragons’ Charity Shield squad as focus falls on Dylan Walker’s court appearance.

Dylan Walker warms up at Southern Cross Group Stadium on Saturday before Manly’s trial game against Cronulla. Picture: AAP

Jack de Belin is expected to be omitted from the St George Illawarra squad for this weekend’s Charity Shield but for the moment, the focus is set to fall on Manly centre Dylan Walker as his career goes on the line in Manly court this morning.

Dragons coach Paul McGregor initially indicated de Belin would be named in the Dragons squad for their traditional trial against South Sydney in Mudgee on Saturday night.

However, it is understood de Belin continues to struggle with his health as he deals with the public debate over his future.

The Dragons will hold talks with ARL Commission chair Peter Beattie and NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg today over the de Belin situation, although the suspicion is that a decision has already been made to stand down the NSW forward after a meeting with all clubs on Thursday.

Beattie and Greenberg have been taking advice from clubs, sponsors and legal sources as they complete a review of the game’s disciplinary policy that is expected to result in players being immediately suspended when they are charged with serious criminal offences.

As it stands, de Belin is available to be picked in the Dragons’ squad for the Charity Shield despite facing sexual assault charges. However, his welfare is a priority for St George Illawarra and McGregor is expected to take him out of the firing line today ahead of the ARL Commission rubbing him for the foreseeable future later in the week.

Given his health concerns, there is every chance de Belin would not be available for round one regardless of the ARL Commission’s stance.

Dragons officials are likely to pull no punches in their meeting with Beattie and Greenberg. There has been immense dissatisfaction at the Dragons with the way de Belin’s future has been played out in public, Beattie as expansive as anyone on the issue.

There are some who believe he should stand aside from the decision over de Belin’s future given his public commentary on the matter. Alternatively, the Dragons have been urged to pursue legal action should de Belin be stood down. The players’ union is also firmly in de Belin’s court with Rugby League Players Association chief executive Ian Prendergast to hold a meeting of his own with Greenberg and Beattie tomorrow.

Prendergast has genuine fears over the ramifications of any change to the disciplinary process that would stand down players the moment they are charged, not least because it has the potential to also sideline their presumption of innocence.

The union is among those who believe the very public debate over de Belin has the potential to damage his ability to receive a fair trial, something his lawyer David Campbell SC told The Weekend Australian.

Walker’s case is no less ambiguous. The Sea Eagles centre was charged with domestic violence following an incident with his partner Alexandra Ivkovic outside their home on Sydney’s northern beaches late last year.

Ivkovic later retracted her statement but it was reported at the time the police relied on witness accounts of the incident and they may be enough for the legal system.

Even if Walker is acquitted of domestic violence, the NRL could still sideline the Sea Eagles centre depending on the evidence that is tendered and the comments emanating from the court.

Greenberg and Beattie have made it clear that players found to have committed violence against women will receive little sympathy from Rugby League Central.

Walker has much at stake, as does his club. The Sea Eagles will be without fullback Tom Trbojevic after he hurt his hamstring during their trial at the weekend.

Walker’s absence would be another setback for the club, although if he is sacked they would have salary cap room to potentially sign a replacement.

They could look to Cronulla given the NRL is expected to finalise its investigation into the Sharks’ salary cap later this week. The expectation is that the Sharks will receive a salary cap penalty, albeit potentially spread over a number of years given chief executive Barry Russell self-reported the initial concern. It is understood the club has discussed moving on a mid-range forward but there have also been whispers that Josh Dugan may be available if a rival club shows interest.

Manly could afford to make a play for Dugan should Walker feel the sharp end of the NRL’s axe. The former NSW and Australian player may be forced to the wing at the Sharks due to the presence of Josh Morris and rising star Bronson Xerri.

The 18-year-old Xerri was outstanding in the club’s trial win over Manly at the weekend.