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NRL360 co-host Paul Kent has labelled the NRL’s decision to allow Taylan May to play in this year’s final series as “disgraceful management”.
The 21-year-old was handed a two-game suspension after being found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm by Maroochydore Magistrates Court last week, following an incident on the Sunshine Coast in October.
The NRL considered the “impact” and when the incident and trial took place — allowing May to serve his suspension at the start of the 2023 season.
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“Disgraceful management by the NRL, how Andrew Abdo allowed this to happen,” Kent said on NRL360 on Tuesday night.
“He got found guilty in court, Penrith put out some wacky statement saying he was harassing the players when he first got charged.
“He has got to court and admitted the kid had somehow filmed him and he asked him to take it off his phone and he wouldn’t do it, but none of this warrants what happened here.
“And yet the NRL, under some system that has never been applied before, are allowing him to serve a two-game suspension in Rounds 1 and 2 next year, rather than right now.
“Because for some reason they have decided that finals games are worth more than normal games, the old buy now pay later scheme.
“It is absolutely ridiculous, it is an indictment on the management of the NRL that don’t know what they are doing.”
Kent revealed he called NRL representatives questioning why May’s suspension was allowed to be served next year.
But after they failed to provide a valid explanation in his eyes, Kent lamented the decision, calling it “embarrassing”.
“The belief is that finals games are more valued than home and away games, therefore we are allowing him to do that,” Kent said.
“I said if that is the case, why not make him serve one finals game now when the offence has been handed down, they said that is a valid point, they didn’t think of that.
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“It is embarrassing that you can pick and choose now when to serve your suspension.
“It is so out of the realms of the integrity of sport, it is embarrassing for the code they have done this.”
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio also revealed the Panthers’ first finals opponent were bemused by the decision — which could set a dangerous precedent.
“When the news came through, they (Eels) just shook their head,” Riccio said.
“Is it a green light for any player to commit a criminal offence through this finals period, so long as the fine doesn’t exceed $1000?”
“It is just head shaking stupidity… it is cowardly,” The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley added.
Kent went on to question how on-field incidents see players serve lengthy suspensions, while off-field “criminal offences” escape sanction this season.
Roosters prop Lindsay Collins will miss majority of the finals series and will only return should his side make the grand final for a hip drop tackle.
Meanwhile, Taylan May is free to play the whole series.
“Lindsay Collins got suspended for four games for a hip drop tackle that had none of the malice of an assault from behind,” Kent said.
“Why wouldn’t they go to the Roosters now and say you know what Lindsay Collins, you can play in this finals series.”
“Lindsay Collins isn’t playing finals right for an on-field offence, but he can commit a criminal offence with an off-field incident and he is fine,” NRL360 host Braith Anasta said.
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“Surely that decision goes across several desks and at some point someone puts their hand up and call b******t on this?” Crawley said.
“It is nothing against Taylan May personally, it is the fact he has been found guilty in court of assault, and you can delay the penalty so you can play finals,” Kent said.
“Who in the NRL can come on here and tell us why it is a smart decision.”
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