Norman to avoid further penalty from Dragons, NRL over video
Local Sport
Half chance: Corey Norman.
Dragons recruit Corey Norman is unlikely to receive any further punishment after a video allegedly involving illicit drugs resurfaced on social media on Monday.
Norman – who gained a release from Parramatta last month – is poised to play in the halves alongside Ben Hunt, with captain Gareth Widdop expected to move to fullback. A video re-surfaced, with Norman filming what is alleged to be another man taking a substance, as two other men, including another high-profile sportsman, watch on.
However, on Monday night, the Dragons released a statement to say the matter had already been dealt with after discussions with the NRL Integrity Unit.
“The St George Illawarra Dragons have been made aware of a video circulating on social media of Corey Norman from several years ago,” the statement said.
“The Dragons informed the NRL Integrity Unit on Monday afternoon.
“The Integrity Unit have since confirmed they have previously been made aware of the footage and dealt with it accordingly at the time.
“The club will make no further comment.”
The scrutiny comes after a tumultuous off-season where Dragons and NSW forward Jack de Belin has been charged with alleged sexual assault, after an incident involving a woman and Shellharbour man Callan Sinclair.
The pair will front court over the charge in February, just days before St George Illawarra’s first trial game against Newcastle.
It also follows revelations Widdop is set to leave Wollongong at the end of the season, to return to England to finish his professional career.
Norman’s recruitment has meant Widdop is likely to move to fullback, with Matt Dufty to move to the wing or start the season in the NSW Premiership competition.
The Dragons made it to the second week of the NRL finals last year, correcting a late-season slide with a thumping 48-18 victory over Brisbane, before bowing out with a 13-12 loss to Souths, where Widdop, Paul Vaughan and now retired winger Jason Nightingale were out injured.
Norman has previously been fined and suspended while at Parramatta for a number of off-field incidents.
https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...r-penalty-from-dragons-nrl-over-video/?cs=302