Billy Slater Free To Play In Grand Final After Being Found Not Guilty

Billy Slater is free to play in the Grand Final this Sunday against the Sydney Roosters after two and a half hours of deliberation. 

It was the longest deliberation in recent memory as Slater confidently fronted the judiciary with his legal team and Coach Craig Bellamy close by his side.

Slater arrived via private jet to Sydney and was ferried to NRL HQ in a dark tinted Mercedes van. The van was driven into the carpark of Rugby League Central at Moore Park. Slater and his team went the lift option rather than walking through the front door but media was there waiting when the lift doors opened.

NRL Judiciary panellists handed a not guilty verdict at Rugby League Central after hearing Slater’s case on the matter.

In a live blog from NRL.com presented by journalists Michael Chammas and Katie Brown outlined the hearing below:

NRL counsel Anthony La Surdo looked at slow-motion footage of Slater’s arms in the tackling technique he showed.

“Your left forearm and hand comes up under Feki’s right arm. It’s very difficult to tell but it doesn’t appear to me that’s an action of a wrap or attempt to wrap.”

Slater: “I disagree with that.”

“The whole time my intention was to make a tackle. It happens earlier than I expected to do but I’m still attempting to wrap my right arm. Even with my left arm is trying to wrap underneath. I was still trying to get my body in a position to get between the ball and the try line,” Slater says.

“I’ve got a duty to make a tackle, the duty of care is to myself and player Feki. To ensure I don’t make a high tackle is a duty to Feki. I feel the contact that was made was unavoidable once he veered back in. I think the decisions I made ensured the safest possible contact was made.”

the Judiciary chairman told everyone to leave the room and handed the verdict down based on these three questions:

“1. Was there forceful contact with the shoulder or upper arm?

“2. Was the forceful contact made without Slater using or attempting to use both his arms including his hands to tackle or otherwise take hold of the opposing player?

“3. Was Slater’s conduct careless? I remind you he is charged with a careless act, not an intentional act?’

Slaters team and Slater explained their case thoroughly enough and the hashtag #freebilly came into full effect.

All parties were brought back into the Judiciary room and the verdict was handed down that Billy Slater is not guilty and will play the last game of his career.

By Jesse Mullens