A Mate Ma’a Tonga player has received a notice after he was found guilty over a hammer attack on a tradesman that occurred on November last year in Australia.
The St George Dragons five-eighth ‘Amone Talatau Jr, 21, was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, stalking or intimidation and destroying or damaging property.
The Wollongong Local Court found Amone and his father guilty and sentenced Amone to a two-year intensive corrections order and 300 hours of community service.
He was also fined $1000 by the court for a charge of destroy or damage property and ordered to pay compensation to the victim.
The verdict came after Amone was charged with reckless grievous bodily harm in company, destroy or damage property and stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm over the matter in Warrawong.
Police allege Amone was involved in an incident that saw a tradesman attacked with a hammer, while a car roof and windscreen was also damaged with the tool.
Sporting News report says that Junior Amone’s play for the Dragons next year is uncertain.
It says, the NRL have responded to the verdict by issuing the playmaker with a notice, which has thrown Amone’s future into doubt.
He was expected to cop a lengthy suspension from the league and be unavailable at least for the start of the 2024 season.
However, he may now miss the upcoming campaign completely and be forced to reapply for registration with no definitive time frame attached to this process.
St George Illawarra released a brief comment regarding the matter last week ahead of the possible sanctions from the NRL.
“The Dragons acknowledge the two-year Intensive Corrections Order that was handed down to player Talatau Amone,” the statement said.
“The club will now work closely with the NRL Integrity Unit to determine the appropriate next steps.”
