Dragons star’s $500k deal in danger after hammer attack
The problematic five-eighth’s NRL contract is poised to be deregistered after the governing body issued a notice on Tuesday.
Junior Amone, a Dragons star, is expected to have his NRL contract deregistered after the governing body issued a notice to the five-eighth during his legal struggle for his role in a hammer attack.
Amone escaped prison in Wollongong District Court last week after being convicted of intimidation and assault resulting in actual bodily injury when he brandished a hammer and pursued a tradesman off a roof in November.
The NRL acknowledged on Tuesday afternoon that it had given the notice, which is the first stage in deregistering Amone’s contract.
“The National Rugby League (NRL) has today issued a Notice to St George Illawarra Dragons player Talatau Junior Amone under the NRL Playing Contract and Remuneration Rules,” according to a statement released by the club.
“On December 11, 2023, the player was sentenced in Wollongong Local Court to two years in prison with an intense correctional order and 300 hours of community service.
“This sentence followed Amone’s conviction on counts of Intimidation and Assault Occurring Actual Bodily Harm in Company in connection with an incident on November 15, 2022, in Warrawong.
“In addition, the Court penalized the player $1,000 for destroying or damaging property and ordered him to compensate the victim.
“The NRL’s wellbeing and counselling services have been made available to the player.”
Amone, 21, has scored 10 tries in 54 NRL games since making his Dragons debut in 2021 and was regarded the team’s long-term five-eighth.
On the same day that two of their key targets signed elsewhere, the Dragons could be handed another blow over Amone’s NRL future.
Official confirmation from the NRL is uncertain this week, since they cannot impose final fines until a player has had a chance to reply.
Neither the NRL nor the Dragons can comment until the situation is resolved.
However, losing Amone would be another huge setback for the Red V given key ambitions. On Tuesday, Tom Dearden (Cowboys) and Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks) inked lucrative contracts with opposing clubs.
The club has already lost Jayden Sullivan to the Wests Tigers,and captain Ben Hunt has expressed a desire to return to Queensland in 2025.
