The Canberra Raiders' appeal against a $20,000 fine for breaching media guidelines has been partially successful.
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The NRL has reduced it to $15,000 after finding a perceived post-match media ban "may have" been unintentional.
The Raiders were issued the biggest fine of its type in competition history after Ricky Stuart answered just one question before he and skipper Jarrod Croker walked out of the media conference after their 24-12 loss to Brisbane in round 12.
It is understood Canberra was hopeful of halving the fine.
"The final fine issued to the Canberra club was $15,000," an NRL spokesperson said.
"The NRL reduced the penalty by $5000 after accepting that breaches relating to post-match media interviews may have been unintentional."
The NRL initially found the Raiders breached the following guidelines:
- Stuart not availing himself for an interview with the host broadcaster Fox Sports at half-time;
- The Raiders didn't genuinely participate in the media conference;
- His comments in the media conference could be implied as criticism of referees Gavin Badger and Chris Sutton, as well as in a follow-up radio interview;
- The club failed to provide media with the appropriate dressing room precinct access, with players prevented from speaking to journalists; and
- The club failed to ensure the majority of players requested for an interview were made available.
Stuart was unhappy at some refereeing decisions that went against his side in the Broncos clash, and didn't need long to make his frustration clear in the media conference.
"No it wasn't one of those games, mate. [NRL head of football] Toddy Greenberg, he was at the game tonight and I just really hope he saw what I saw," Stuart said.
"It's a lot healthier for our club if we don't go any further into this press conference. I have respect for all the media, it's got nothing to do with you, but it's just a lot healthier if I don't continue. Thanks."
