Cronulla's Brett Seymour and Rooster Jake Friend under investigation
By Todd Balym
March 17, 2009
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25202021-23214,00.html
The NRL plunged further into turmoil on Tuesday with one player charged with high range drink driving and another involved in an alleged alcohol-fuelled incident at a Cronulla nightclub.
Less than a week after the NRL stood down Manly's Brett Stewart for four weeks for being drunk at the club launch, Sydney Roosters hooker Jake Friend was fined $10,000 for blowing more than twice the legal limit in Sydney's eastern suburbs on Monday night.
He was also ordered to undergo counselling and offered to participate in a traffic offenders' program.
And in a further embarrassment to the NRL, Cronulla confirmed it was investigating an incident involving an allegedly heavily intoxicated Brett Seymour outside the front of a Cronulla nightclub on Sunday.
"There is not much I can tell you at this stage, we are going through the process of gathering all the information, we hope to have it finalised tomorrow or the next day," Sharks chief executive Tony Zappia said.
Seymour had been sacked by Brisbane in late 2006 for inappropriate behaviour after allegations he head-butted a woman on the dance floor of Brisbane's Regatta Hotel.
The latest incident continues a torrid three years at Cronulla.
Banished to park football under coach Ricky Stuart, he forced his way back into the NRL side last year until a freak knee injury at training ruled him out of the preliminary final.
He made a successful comeback from knee surgery in last Saturday's win over Penrith and is now seen as a vital member of the side alongside five-eighth Trent Barrett as the club chases a maiden premiership.
The NRL is monitoring both cases closely knowing they must continue the harsh precedent set down last week when they claimed Stewart's ban was for public drunkenness, not for being charged with sexual assault, following the infamous launch.
Friend's incident comes after playing just six NRL games.
Under the Roosters' alcohol policy brought in by coach Brad Fittler, players can only drink alcohol after the recovery session on the day following a game.
Friend's indiscretion came just over 24 hours after the club's demoralising 52-12 loss to South Sydney.
The 19-year-old met with the club's disciplinary committee on Tuesday where the Roosters handed out their punishment but decided against standing him down from Sunday's clash with Canberra.
"The club believes that these rehabilitation measures are in the best interest of both the player and the game and will provide a much better outcome than standing the player down," said the Roosters' statement.
"He was extremely remorseful and contrite and acknowledged his very poor lack of judgement.
"He expressed sincere disappointment and apologised for his serious mistake."
NRL chief executive David Gallop said he would reserve judgment until he receives a written report from the club.
"We expect to receive a full report from the club. We note that this is a serious issue and they have acted quickly in imposing a substantial fine," said Gallop.
"We will consider our position once we have received the report."
Earlier on Tuesday Manly coach Des Hasler, still infuriated at Stewart's suspension, called for the NRL to maintain a tough stance on player behaviour involving alcohol.
"You would certainly hope so," he said.
"If it's a four-week suspension for being inebriated at a club function then four weeks is a tough call ... compared to some of the happenings in the past.
"If they are saying they have to make a stance then I guess they have made that stance."
Manly would not comment when told of the latest misdemeanours.
AAP
