Jack de Belin will miss this year’s Charity Shield after his club, St George Illawarra, decided to not to include him in the squad “in the interest of player welfare”.
The NSW representative forward, who is facing sexual assault charges, will not travel with the team to Mudgee for the pre-season game against South Sydney on 2 March.
De Belin missed last weekend’s trial win over Newcastle due to a virus.
He could yet be stood down from all club duties pending his court case in April with the NRL’s independent commission to make a decision this week on how to deal with players facing serious criminal charges.
Should the Dragons be forced to stand down De Belin, it has been reported the club will be offered salary cap relief, according to News Corp Australia, and allowed to sign a replacement player on a short-term agreement.
It follows a summer of shame for the code that has seen several players involved in serious off-field incidents.
If De Belin is stood down, he would remain on his full pay of $600,000 until his court case has been finalised, which could take as long as 18 months.
De Belin is accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman at his cousin’s apartment after a night out in Wollongong in December last year.
The 27-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the charge of aggravated sexual assault and will return to court on 17 April.