Banned NRL Stars not Allowed at Dally M’s
Paul Gallen will headline a number of players currently serving bans handed down by ASADA who will not be allowed to attend the up coming Dally M awards.
Gallen was in line to receive the award for representative player of the year before the NRL stepped in and said no, not on our watch. Having captained NSW to their first Origin victory in eight long years, Gallen was a sure-fire starter for the award as well as the favourite to take out the Brad Fitler Medal.
Brad Fitler let slip to the Daily Telegraph in Aussie that he believes considering the circumstances, Gallen shouldn’t be eligible to receive the award. To be fair to Freddy, it is his award, named after him and if he doesn’t want a banned player receiving it, he shouldn’t.
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The players banned by ASADA and therefore are unable to attend the night of nights at the Dally M Awards as Gallen, and his teammates Nathan Stapleton, Wade Graham, Anthony Tupou, Newcastle’s Jeremy Smith and Kade Snowden, the Gold Coast’s Albert Kelly and Luke Douglas as well as the Cowboys Matthew Wright.
The NRL has said this afternoon that it is up to other clubs and leagues to decide whether those convicted of drug cheating will be eligible to win awards at their own prize nights. The player’s career achievements will still be acknowledged as normal.