Sydney Roosters enforcer Adrian Morley has played his last NRL match after being handed a seven-match ban from the NRL judiciary, however he will still play in Australia with his suspension reduced enough to take part in the Tri-Nations series following the NRL and Super League Grand Final's.
Morley was originally looking at anywhere between 12-18 weeks for his intentional kneeing attack on Bulldogs hooker Corey Hughes but news came through today that NRL counsel Peter Kite recommended to the three-member panel that an eight match ban would be sufficient for Morley. The Roosters were hoping that Morley would receive five matches allowing him a farewell appearance against the Dragons in the final round. Former Roosters legend and Rugby League Immortal Arthur Beetson even said Morley should get around two weeks.
The seven-match ban will compromise of six Roosters matches and Great Britain's warm up match before the Tri Nations begins, which will see Morley ready for Great Britain's opening match. Roosters fans will get their chance to farewell Morley in Great Britain's opening match of the Tri-Nations against Australia at Sydney's Aussie Stadium on Saturday 4th November with kick-off at 8pm.
Morley has been the best forward the Roosters have had since Beetson in the mid-1970's and it has been Morley with assistance from Michael Crocker and Jason Cayless who turned the Roosters forward pack from soft to a team that was feared.
His judiciary record in Australia has been poor but he wasn't driven out of the game by this suspension, he was driven out because the Roosters would only offer him a one year deal instead of giving him two years, which he at least deserved for the passion and service he gave that Club.
Great Britain's other match in Australia will be at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 18th November and the Final will be played at Sydney's Aussie Stadium on Saturday 25th November with Australia playing against either New Zealand or Great Britain.
Morley was originally looking at anywhere between 12-18 weeks for his intentional kneeing attack on Bulldogs hooker Corey Hughes but news came through today that NRL counsel Peter Kite recommended to the three-member panel that an eight match ban would be sufficient for Morley. The Roosters were hoping that Morley would receive five matches allowing him a farewell appearance against the Dragons in the final round. Former Roosters legend and Rugby League Immortal Arthur Beetson even said Morley should get around two weeks.
The seven-match ban will compromise of six Roosters matches and Great Britain's warm up match before the Tri Nations begins, which will see Morley ready for Great Britain's opening match. Roosters fans will get their chance to farewell Morley in Great Britain's opening match of the Tri-Nations against Australia at Sydney's Aussie Stadium on Saturday 4th November with kick-off at 8pm.
Morley has been the best forward the Roosters have had since Beetson in the mid-1970's and it has been Morley with assistance from Michael Crocker and Jason Cayless who turned the Roosters forward pack from soft to a team that was feared.
His judiciary record in Australia has been poor but he wasn't driven out of the game by this suspension, he was driven out because the Roosters would only offer him a one year deal instead of giving him two years, which he at least deserved for the passion and service he gave that Club.
Great Britain's other match in Australia will be at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 18th November and the Final will be played at Sydney's Aussie Stadium on Saturday 25th November with Australia playing against either New Zealand or Great Britain.
