Parramatta’s Kenny Edwards to learn fate as early as Thursday
CHRISTIAN NICOLUSSI, The Daily Telegraph
March 1, 2017 6:39pm
PARRAMATTA’S change of management could prove to be the lucky break that saves controversial forward Kenny Edwards’ Eels career.
Two years ago, the Parramatta problem child was told by the club’s previous management he would be sacked if he was involved in another off-field incident.
Yet it remains to be seen if the new Eels bosses will adopt their predecessors’ hard line stance and sack Edwards, whose NRL suspension for a domestic violence charge is expected as early as Thursday.
Edwards pleaded guilty to a common assault charge on Monday as it emerged in court he had sprayed water in the face of his former partner on December 11, then later poured raspberry vodka over her and her bed.
Eels boss Bernie Gurr confirmed he would resume talks with NRL integrity boss Nick Weeks late on Wednesday, and hoped to reach a “fair and reasonable’’ punishment by Friday at the latest.
Edwards pleaded guilty to common assault earlier this week.
It is understood Edwards will miss anywhere between one and three months, which will be a huge blow for Parramatta looking to bounce back from a horror 2016 campaign.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Edwards was told at a tribunal hearing midway through 2015 he was on his last chance after he had provided a urine sample on behalf of teammate Kaysa Pritchard.
He was slapped with a nine-month ban.
A year earlier, Edwards was also hit with a two-match ban after he assaulted a fan on the Gold Coast.
Fed up with his antics, club officials made it clear to him they would not tolerate any nonsense a third time.
The NRL integrity unit will take into consideration Edwards’ growing track record when they sit down with the Eels to thrash out the finer details of the penalty.
When Edwards’ ultimatum was raised with Gurr, he told The Daily Telegraph: “I can’t comment on what was said previously. I don’t know what was said to him by prior management.
“All I can comment on is I spoke with Nick Weeks yesterday, and we have agreed to have more dialogue later today. I know this is very much on his radar.
“We’re hoping we can reach an outcome by the end of Friday.
“We’ll try and work out what is fair and reasonable.’’
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