NRL blocked Eels from playing Norman this weekend and Taka may miss the game

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has refused to discuss the future of Corey Norman after the five-eighth was stood down for this weekend's game for drug possession charges.As revealed by Fairfax Media on Wednesday, the Eels and the NRL were at loggerheads over the punishment for Norman.AdvertisementThe Eels wanted to play the embattled playmaker against Penrith on Sunday, but the NRL intervened, much to the club's dismay. But Arthur didn't want to delve into the Norman fiasco when pressed on the issue on the eve of his side's clash with the out-of-sorts Panthers."Twenty weeks we've been focusing on negatives [in the media]," Arthur said. "I want to talk about the positives of the team. The positives are that someone will get the opportunity to step up for Corey. He's one of our better players, but we can't dwell on that.Uncertain future: Parramatta's Corey Norman is out for the Panthers game.Uncertain future: Parramatta's Corey Norman is out for the Panthers game. Photo: Getty Images"Everyone that's had to come into our team so far this year has played their role and done their job, and that's what's required from whoever takes his place in the Penrith game."Despite enduring a season plagued by drama, the Eels have put aside all the controversy to play a brand of football that still has them in finals contention despite being docked 12 points for salary cap breaches."It's tremendous the boys have been able to keep fronting up and focus on their job, which is to play football, to play for each other," Arthur said."They've still got a lot of belief regardless of a few surrounding issues."We do have our fair share of injuries too. Last week we had plenty of players playing out of position, but we had the effort and the energy and desire to go out there and perform well."Eels centre Michael Jennings – NSW's last-minute try-scoring hero from Origin III – will undergo a fitness test before being cleared to take on his junior club on Sunday."[Jennings] is another one with a fitness test this morning – we'll see where he's at," Arthur said. "I was really pleased for him on the back of probably his disappointment from game two, and like a true champion player he aimed up and sealed the game for them. It'd be nice if he could do that for us on Sunday."The Eels are also hopeful of having Brad Takairangi back from injury, however Arthur said he was still under a cloud."There's a bit of doubt over Takaz [Takairangi]," Arthur said. "There's doubt over quite a few of our players at the moment, so we need to try a few things at training today at our captain's run and see where we get to. We do have our fair share of injuries; last week was evidence of that."We had plenty of players playing out of position, but the belief and the effort and the energy and the desire is still there to go out and perform well. That's all we can really control at the moment."

Norman's had 2 main hits this year, with another one apparently associated with the 2nd incident when the fraud attempt was posted against him, 2 video's went out the second one was said to be taken by Norman of someone snuffing a white substance.

Looking at the first one he was caught with Ice in his possession as well as prescription drugs, understand it was the first offence which also included one of consorting with known criminals. He coped a guilty verdict of the possession charge with a fine & good behavior bond so I understand.

The next two items only illegal element in them is the attempted fraud to stop their further release, no prove about the white snuffy stuff but that was Norman's video.

There is however one common thread in each area & that is the presence of Segeyaro in them, something that should not happen again with Sege in England. Realistically the drug bust & guilty plea was the only illegal thing he did, yet the media wanted to can him big time, more than anything I thing so he could be put out of the eels. Last night Matt Cooper of the dragons was interviewed & he reckoned that Norman needed good guidance which he could get at the dragons & therefore should leave the eels.

I think the 1 match suspension & the fine was ok, although perhaps the most he should have copped would have been a fine, to me a $20K one would have sufficed

There is absolutely no comparing what Norman has done with the likes of Pearce at the Chickens, this years suspension was his second, I don't remember the charges but were worse than Normans. What about Dugan & the other half of the Canberra idiot brigade. Constant drunkenness & thumbing their noses at the club, & what of Carney, how in blazes does Norman's case come anywhere near to the others?

If he needed anything worse perhaps a larger fine for stupidity in getting caught in stupid situations as he is deemed a leader at the eels. I would also not be surprised that the video's were perhaps captured on the same night as the Star casino outing.

Yes he got at least what he deserved & should have got.

Replies

Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 16, 2016 at 7:55pm

Im not with Brad on this one, no wonder some of our players are showing no respect for the club and the tails wagging the dog, of course the NRL would want the club to discipline Corey and fair enough, he's bought the club and game into disrepute, for brad to want to play him this week is ridiculous.

Its pretty clear to all our players now that no matter how they act they will still get a game if they are a good enough player, why wouldn't they go out and act like clowns, brad certainly won't be punishing them, these players are treating BA as their biatch and you know what? he's good for it.

Some of these blokes have brad wrapped around their fingers.
- Thatguy > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 16, 2016 at 8:02pm
  
  I disagree. I think Corey has been great in games and shown real leadership. He's obviously doing good things at training too.
  
  Guys like Penishands (having people like me bagging him out) tepai and wicksy having done really well shows that they're really putting in for the coach. Good on the coach for backing them, especially when shit hits the fan.
- sixtiesboy > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 16, 2016 at 8:51pm
  
  The disciplinary hearing was to be next week. Given that it was a midweek court hearing, to have him rubbed out late in the week gave minimal preparation time. He was always going to have to face the music but the NRL wanted it to be immediate.
- Longfin Eel > Snakey - Sack Dylan Brown July 16, 2016 at 9:03pm
  
  Snake with everying that has been going on I think BA just wants to put the best team on the field. There are other ways to ket Corey know he has been very stupid.
eels_brad July 16, 2016 at 7:57pm

I think Norman definitely deserved to cop a suspension and fine. Personally 2 weeks and $20k I reckon
Ace Eel July 16, 2016 at 8:06pm

Agree...1 match rest up & a stint on the hot dog & Parra merchandise stands at panther park tomorrow...
The French Fullback #1 July 16, 2016 at 8:41pm

Pfft. After the season we've had the onfield performances are the only positive. Of course we didn't want to stand Norman down. We need to win. I'd rather a fine than him not playing. Wins are more important than anything else. Even throughout the salary cap mess, the wins have kept the fans somewhat positive and given them something to look forward to. Skip the punishment, he's already had the conviction and the public embarassment, let him play.
In team news, Faraimo is playing tomorrow and I think Taka is out. Gutherson at #6 with Faraimo/Jennings on one side, Manu/French the right side. O'Brien onto the bench.
- sixtiesboy > The French Fullback #1 July 16, 2016 at 8:48pm
  
  Correct
- Big Dave > The French Fullback #1 July 16, 2016 at 10:55pm
  
  BA is getting desperate to list Taka for two weeks in a row if he is not fit to play. Big test for Gutho defending on the edge if he is playing 5/8 (he will be good in attack).
- colin hussey > The French Fullback #1 July 16, 2016 at 11:11pm
  
  Norman's had 2 main hits this year, with another one apparently associated with the 2nd incident when the fraud attempt was posted against him, 2 video's went out the second one was said to be taken by Norman of someone snuffing a white substance.
  
  Looking at the first one he was caught with Ice in his possession as well as prescription drugs, understand it was the first offence which also included one of consorting with known criminals. He coped a guilty verdict of the possession charge with a fine & good behavior bond so I understand.
  
  The next two items only illegal element in them is the attempted fraud to stop their further release, no prove about the white snuffy stuff but that was Norman's video.
  
  There is however one common thread in each area & that is the presence of Segeyaro in them, something that should not happen again with Sege in England. Realistically the drug bust & guilty plea was the only illegal thing he did, yet the media wanted to can him big time, more than anything I thing so he could be put out of the eels. Last night Matt Cooper of the dragons was interviewed & he reckoned that Norman needed good guidance which he could get at the dragons & therefore should leave the eels.
  
  I think the 1 match suspension & the fine was ok, although perhaps the most he should have copped would have been a fine, to me a $20K one would have sufficed
  
  There is absolutely no comparing what Norman has done with the likes of Pearce at the Chickens, this years suspension was his second, I don't remember the charges but were worse than Normans. What about Dugan & the other half of the Canberra idiot brigade. Constant drunkenness & thumbing their noses at the club, & what of Carney, how in blazes does Norman's case come anywhere near to the others?
  
  If he needed anything worse perhaps a larger fine for stupidity in getting caught in stupid situations as he is deemed a leader at the eels. I would also not be surprised that the video's were perhaps captured on the same night as the Star casino outing.
  
  Yes he got at least what he deserved & should have got.

of 3

This reply was deleted.

Eels Blogs

NRL blocked Eels from playing Norman this weekend and Taka may miss the game

Replies

More stuff to read

Eels blogs

Parramatta sign New Zealand cross-code convert

Eels jerseys 6:00 today 👀

New signing at training ??? New guy

Parramatta Eels extend Josh Addo-Carr

Note: this page contains paid content.

Social Blogs

Remberance Day

NAS Not Saying No

Eels offer to Jonah pezet

Any news on who parra

Note: this page contains paid content.