NRL boss Todd Greenberg expects to decide on whether he'll stand down Canberra Raiders recruit Curtis Scott in the next couple of days.
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Greenberg met with Scott's lawyer on Monday and viewed the remaining footage of the 22-year-old's arrest following Australia Day celebrations.
The NRL chief executive then flew to Brisbane for a prior commitment, where he vowed he'd make a call on whether he'd implement the no-fault, stand-down policy for Scott.
The Raiders expect to know one way or the other by the end of the week, with Greenberg hinting it could be sooner than that.
Scott's facing seven charges, including two counts of allegedly assaulting a police officer, after he was arrested near the SCG.
His next court appearance isn't until March 20 - a week after the Raiders start their season against the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium.
It's also a day before their round two clash against the New Zealand Warriors in an Auckland double header with the ACT Brumbies.
If Greenberg decides to stand him down he could miss both of those games and possibly even more - depending on how the hearing goes.
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"We'll do that in the next few days - as soon as I get out of Brisbane," Greenberg said of the Scott decision.
"I committed to come to Brisbane today so I'll deal with that in the next couple of days."
While the Raiders are yet to find out whether Scott will be available to face the Titans, they know they won't have Ryan Sutton to call on.
Sutton took the early guilty plea for a shoulder charge on Canterbury prop Joe Stimson in the final minute of their trial at Port Macquarie on Saturday.
The 24-year-old was charged with a grade-one offence, which would have seen him miss two games if he'd challenged it and lost.
He'll miss the Titans clash and have 50 carryover points.
It will test the Raiders' depth as they're already missing John Bateman (shoulder), Luke Bateman (knee) and Hudson Young (suspended) for the start of the season.
Sutton's absence means there'll be a spot on the Raiders' bench up for grabs and it will be interesting who Canberra coach Ricky Stuart opts for.
Jack Murchie, if he doesn't end up at the Warriors, is an option, as is JJ Collins, or Stuart could opt for a back in a utility role given he has Siliva Havili, who can play hooker or lock.
Meanwhile Raiders chief executive Don Furner backed the introduction of the captain's challenge on Monday - provided it doesn't slow the game down.
Furner will resume talks with Jarrod Croker's manager next week to re-sign the Raiders co-captain.
He was set to continue discussions last Tuesday, but they were put on hold following the death of his father Don snr.
"As long as it doesn't slow the game down and we have more arguing and approaching of referees," Furner said of the new rule.
"That's one part of the game I don't like so as long as it doesn't lead to any more of that."
NRL ROUND ONE
March 13: Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium, 6pm.