PARRAMATTA have rubbished rumours Corey Norman is on the outer with the NRL strugglers and could be released from the final year of his contract.
Norman was this week fined $20,000 for drinking while injured earlier in the season, fuelling suggestions the Eels were running out of patience with him.
When asked whether Norman was out of favour with Eels management, coach Brad Arthur said he was contracted until next year and he had no plans to let him go.
“It’s simple - he’s contracted until 2019,” Arthur said.
“The same as I’m contracted, the same as 20 other players are.”
Norman was reprimanded after posting pictures of himself drinking on social media.
On Thursday he accepted responsibility, promising to “cop it on the chin”, while his teammates including Bevan French and Michael Jennings described him as a positive influence on the side.
It is the second time Norman has been fined in two years.
He was fined $20,000 and suspended for the final eight weeks of the 2016 season for a string of offences including pleading guilty to drug possession after being caught with MDMA and another prescribed, restricted substance at The Star Casino.
His conviction was overturned on appeal.He was also reprimanded for filming a lewd sexual act and drug use as well as consorting with criminals.
“He’s in good spirits. We’re proud of him, he’s accepted full responsibility for his actions,” Arthur said.
Norman will miss Saturday’s clash with Newcastle because of a foot injury.
The 27-year-old has failed to live up to his best this season with the side in last spot and their finals hopes extinguished at the halfway point. Arthur said the rumours were a product of the club’s lowly standing on the ladder.
“There’s always things that get speculated when you’re losing,” Arthur said. “If we weren’t losing, there’d be no speculation.
“Look, he made a mistake, he’s put his hand up, he’s taken ownership and responsibility for it and now it’s time for us to move forward.”
Replies
It is the second time Norman has been fined in two years.
He was fined $20,000 and suspended for the final eight weeks of the 2016 season for a string of offences including pleading guilty to drug possession after being caught with MDMA and another prescribed, restricted substance at The Star Casino.
His conviction was overturned on appeal.He was also reprimanded for filming a lewd sexual act and drug use as well as consorting with criminals.
BA: “He’s in good spirits. We’re proud of him"
WTF
can we ask, is brad arthur worried over hes job? .as he keeps on saying almost every day, corys going no where and is contracted till the end of 2019, as am i brad arthur, contracted ,with 20 others till the end of 2019.
brad just fired this to the media every week.
surely brad under the pump, all he has to say is no comment, but bernie and max and brad let jennings, french , now norman to do interviews ..strange...
If he cared so much about the fans we'd be getting more than the same old spiel week in week out. I guess yeah its admirable he stands by his players so much but where does he draw the line? sack up BA