Canberra teammates Morgan Smithies and Hudson Young have received breach notices from the NRL for brawling in a Las Vegas elevator, but are not facing suspension.
In accordance with rules implemented with the league’s latest collective bargaining agreement, the terms of any breach notices are not disclosed until pleas are entered by those cited.
But AAP has been told breach notices issued to Smithies and Young on Monday proposed only a suspended fine, not a ban or up-front financial penalty.
The Raiders have also opted against issuing their own sanctions to the pair over the incident, which took place late last month at the team hotel in Vegas.
The NRL on Monday said the players “engaged in conduct which has brought the game and their club into disrepute” ahead of the round-one games in the US.
At the time, Young and Smithies both fronted the press to apologise for the incident, which took place when one of them was left without a room on return from a night out.
Hotel security attended the scene finding the brawling pair and what was thought to be a weapon, but was later revealed as an inflatable baseball bat.
The league factored in the forwards’ contrition in considering their breach notice.
“The NRL recognises that the players provided a public apology and have accepted responsibility for their actions,” the NRL said in a statement.
Players typically have five business days to respond to the NRL’s breach notices.
Smithies and Young have helped the Raiders to an unbeaten start to the NRL season through two rounds, first excelling in the big defeat of the Warriors in Vegas.
Canberra backed that effort up with an upset defeat of premiership hopefuls Brisbane at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.
In more good news for the second-placed Raiders, winger Xavier Savage will be available for selection in the round-three clash against Manly after serving a one-game ban.
Luckless second-rower Zac Hosking is in doubt for the match after meeting with a specialist on Monday following a hand injury sustained against the Broncos.