Parker criticises NRL decision on All Stars suspensions for Mitchell and Addo-Carr
Corey Parker has criticised the NRL's decision allowing Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr to serve suspensions during the All Stars match instead of during the regular season.
Broncos legend Corey Parker has voiced his disapproval of the NRL's decision to permit Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr to serve their suspensions during next month's All Stars clash. This follows the NRL's confirmation on Wednesday that Mitchell will be free to participate in South Sydney's round 1 game against the Dolphins, as he will use the All Stars match to fulfil his one-match ban.
Mitchell faced suspension, a hefty fine, and was required to complete education training after a photograph of him next to a white substance taken in a Dubbo hotel room brought the game into disrepute.
The representative star has played for the Indigenous side six times, having captained them last year in this culturally significant annual event.
Similarly, Addo-Carr was dismissed by the Bulldogs and suspended for four matches after testing positive for cocaine during a roadside drug test last year. The Eels recruit is now set to return in round 3 against his former team.
The NRL has previously allowed the All Stars game to count towards suspensions, with players such as Brandon Smith, Reece Walsh, and Mitchell missing the 2022 clash as part of their broader bans after successful submissions.
However, Parker disagrees with this practice, asserting that players should serve their suspensions during the NRL season. He stated, "Latrell Mitchell was suspended for bringing the game into disrepute... Is that sufficient? I don't think so."
Parker highlighted that if the Broncos were to utilise the All Stars game for Ezra Mam, there would be backlash, indicating that bringing the game into disrepute should necessitate serving a suspension in club football.
Joel Caine echoed similar sentiments on Thursday morning, insisting that players must serve their suspensions in the competition they are part of. He noted, "Every year, we have a player who isn't serving their suspension because they use it for when they play for their country or the All Stars game. I'm against it big time."
Caine added that Joseph Suaalii should have received bans following a hit in a State of Origin match and should not have impacted his team, the Sydney Roosters.
