Finals twist as NRL hands down unusual ban

Rookie Penrith winger Taylan May volition miss the opening 2 rounds of adjacent twelvemonth aft being banned for an off-field incidental - but volition beryllium escaped to play successful the NRL finals.

The NRL connected Tuesday handed down its punishment for May who was recovered blameworthy of battle past week aft helium was charged for an incidental connected the Sunshine Coast.

The battle took spot during past year's premiership celebrations, with CCTV cameras capturing May dragging an 18-year-old to the ground.

May had been triggered by the teen filming his superstar teammate Nathan Cleary.

The magistrate described May's enactment arsenic "cowardly", uncovering him blameworthy of battle occasioning bodily harm.

Yet, successful handing down its ain penalty, the NRL decided not to suspend May from the finals series, alternatively holding the prohibition implicit until the commencement of adjacent season.

"In proposing the timing of the lucifer suspension, the NRL considered a fig of factors including erstwhile the incidental took place, the day astatine which the proceedings were finalised and the interaction of a lucifer suspension astatine this clip of year," the NRL said successful a statement.

"It is projected the good and acquisition requirements beryllium effectual immediately."

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