Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart praised the way NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo handled the Curtis Scott incident, revealing he personally contacted the Raiders centre before issuing him with a breach notice.
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Scott has been hit with a $15,000 fine for his Australia Day celebrations, all of which can be suspended if he completes an NRL education and counselling program, which includes gaining a better understanding of the risks of excessive alcohol use.
Stuart felt the course would be good for the 22-year-old.
The breach notice alleged Scott brought the game into disrepute and that he broke the NRL's policy on alcohol consumption.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said Scott had five days to respond to the notice.
It relates to his partying on Australia Day, which led to him falling asleep under a tree near NRL headquarters in Moore Park in Sydney.
Police woke Scott up, handcuffed him, pepper sprayed him and then tasered him before charging him with several offences including assaulting police.
His case was thrown out of court by magistrate Jennifer Giles after she saw the graphic footage of his arrest.
Scott was considering lodging a formal complaint against NSW Police.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of public nuisance - kicking a bike and throwing his mobile phone at a car - but those charges were also dismissed given the ordeal the police had put him through.
"Our players are role models in the community and must set an example for young people who look up to them,'' Abdo said.
"In our view, Curtis should not have placed himself in a position where he was found in the state that he was in.
"That sort of behaviour is not acceptable and impacts on the reputation of our game and our brand."
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Abdo contacted the Raiders to get in touch with Scott before issuing him with the notice.
Stuart felt it was a testament to the character of the new NRL chief executive and he praised the NRL's handling of the whole affair.
The governing body opted against using their no-fault, stand-down policy for Scott after former chief executive Todd Greenberg viewed the footage of the incident.
"I think it's very fair. The NRL have handled it very well. They have to do something because Curtis put himself in a position that was unnecessary and I'm sure Curtis will do the course and I think it will be a good thing for him," Stuart said.
"Curtis will complete that program and the NRL have shown some great initiative.
"Andrew Abdo has personally spoken to Curtis and I think that's a great initiative in regards to our CEO personally discussing it all with Curtis.
"I think it's a great initiative of Andrew's, to be a leader of our game, to make it personal - not just to sit behind the desk and wave the big stick - and to ring Curtis and explain it. I think that's great leadership."
But there's increasing concerns in the Raiders camp that Scott's season could be over due to a leg injury he suffered against Canterbury three weeks ago.
It's feared it's fractured, but a metal plate from a previous break means they can't get a scan of the area.
If he requires season-ending surgery then he would join Josh Hodgson (knee), Bailey Simonsson (shoulder), Emre Guler (ankle) and potentially Corey Horsburgh (foot) on the sidelines for the rest of the year.
NRL ROUND 19
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Canberra Stadium, 2pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Semi Valemei, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Jordan Rapana, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. George Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Siliva Havili, 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 15. Ryan Sutton, 16. Hudson Young, 17. Corey Harawira-Naera. Reserves: 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Matt Timoko.
Warriors squad: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2. Adam Pompey, 3. Adam Keighran, 4. Peta Hiku, 5. Hayze Perham, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 8. Lachlan Burr, 9. Karl Lawton, 10. Isaiah Papali'i, 11. Jack Murchie, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: 14. Wayde Egan, 15. Adam Blair, 17. Tom Ale, 18. Josh Curran. Reserves: 20. Paul Turner, 21. Gerard Beale.