St George Illawarra’s Talatau stood down under NRL’s no-fault stand down policy, Jayden Sullivan injured

St George Illawarra’s woes have deepened with Talatau Amone stood down following assault charges, on the day it was revealed his potential replacement had been injured in training.

St George Illawarra Dragons player Talatau Junior Amone leaving Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday January 18 2023. Picture: Dylan Arvela

The NRL has stood down St George Illawarra five-eighth Talatau Amone while he defends assault charges stemming from an alleged hammer attack.

Amone has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm in company, damaging property, and intimidation from an incident in Wollongong last November.

His matter was mentioned in Wollongong court on Wednesday and has been adjourned until March 1, a day before the start of the upcoming NRL season.

The league on Wednesday stood down the 20-year-old given the charge of reckless grievous bodily harm carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, which opened him up to the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy.

St George Illawarra Dragons player Talatau ‘Junior’ Amone leaves Wollongong Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Dylan Arvela

“The NRL has advised the St George Illawarra Dragons that Talatau Junior Amone is subject to the Mandatory No-Fault Stand Down Condition under the NRL Rules,” the NRL said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Under the condition, the player is not permitted to participate as a player in the NRL competition or any related, representative or other competition or pre-season trial match.”

St George Illawarra confirmed the 20-year-old had been stood down from playing.

“The Dragons will continue to provide support for all parties concerned,” the club said in a statement.

The Daily Telegraph understands Amone plans to fight the charges. Given no trial date has been set however, Amone’s immediate playing future remains in doubt.

Amone is the second Dragons player to be subject to the stand-down policy since the NRL introduced it in 2019.

Jack de Belin was stood down in February, 2019, over sexual assault charges, of which he denied. The charges were dropped after two trials failed to reach a verdict and de Belin returned to playing NRL in June, 2021.

Jayden Sullivan could miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury. Picture: Getty

The Amone development comes on the same day it was revealed his likely replacement, Jayden Sullivan, faces a fight to be fit for round one after suffering a hamstring injury.

The Dragons on Wednesday confirmed Sullivan, who has a history of hamstring problems – is expected to be out for up to six weeks.

St George Illawarra have trial matches against St Helens on February 11 and the traditional Charity Shield clash with South Sydney on February 18 in Mudgee.

They have a bye in round one of the season proper before facing the Gold Coast a week later.

“Jayden Sullivan suffered a grade 2 hamstring strain at training on Saturday, with an expected recovery time of 4-6 weeks. He remains a chance of being available for Charity Shield selection,” the club said.

Sullivan was expected to start alongside Ben Hunt in the halves in place of Amone.

Fullback Cody Ramsey is also unlikely to play as he continues his long road back from a shock medical diagnosis. The 22-year-old was admitted to hospital last November as he battles a chronic illness called ulcerative colitis, which causes inflammation and ulcers on the bowel and digestive tract.

Cody Ramsey is long odds to be fit for the early rounds as he battles a stomach issue. Picture: Getty

There is no timeline on his return as he continues his rehabilitation.

Sullivan’s injury is a cruel blow for the youngster who has long craved a starting opportunity. He was denied a release during the off-season to join the Bulldogs.

Sullivan missed a large chunk of the 2021 season because of hamstring issues.

Veteran Moses Mbye now shapes as the most likely halves partner for Hunt although utility Jack Bird has also spent time in the halves.

Mbye is also the club’s back-up hooker behind Jacob Liddle.

The Dragons are boosted by having a bye in week one before they take on the Titans in round two.

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Originally published as St George Illawarra’s Talatau stood down under NRL’s no-fault stand down policy, Jayden Sullivan injured