Two Canberra Raiders players, Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies, have publicly apologized after being involved in a physical altercation at their hotel in Las Vegas, just days before the NRL's season opener. This incident has drawn attention as the first significant off-field behavioral issue for the league during its visit to the entertainment capital.
According to reports, the altercation occurred at Resorts World hotel after the two players returned from a night out. Young, 26, and Smithies, 24, became involved in the scuffle reportedly sparked by complications with their hotel room bookings. Young revealed, "We came back after a night out on Thursday and there was an issue with the room. There was a scuffle in the elevator, nothing in the hallways. We came back as a team and one of the boys had got a toy baseball bat somewhere. That was mistaken as a weapon in the elevator but it played no role," confirming the bizarre circumstances surrounding the incident.
The friendship between Young and Smithies adds depth to the story, as they are known as close mates, often spending time together both on and off the field. Their partners have even been enjoying their time together traveling across the United States, emphasizing their camaraderie beyond sports. Young reflected on their friendship during the press briefing, stating, “We are best mates. He was at mine for Christmas and our partners are travelling America at the moment, so there’s no issues there.”
Following the altercation, hotel security had to intervene after reviewing security footage of the incident, leading to the temporary eviction of the players. Coach Ricky Stuart expressed his disappointment, indicating their behavior was unacceptable. Young addressed the fallout, saying, “I want to apologise for the actions on Thursday night. It wasn’t good enough. I’m happy to move on. I’m embarrassed for myself, our teammates and the NRL.”
The Raiders organization has dealt with the matter internally. While both players have received disciplinary measures, there has been no indication they will be sidelined from the approaching game against the New Zealand Warriors at Allegiant Stadium. The incident's fallout necessitated swift action from the Raiders' management, as it would be detrimental for the club to face the media's scrutiny without accountability.
Young acknowledged the significance of their actions, especially considering the NRL's efforts to establish itself within the Las Vegas market. “The NRL invests so much time and effort. It’s such a great space to be part of here in Vegas and a great spectacle. Things got a bit out of hand on Thursday night, and we’ve dealt with it internally as a club,” he stated, reiterally emphasizing their regret.
Despite the embarrassment, Young reassured fans and the team about their solidarity moving forward: “We’re so close as a team, and me and Morgan are really good mates. Everyone knows we are strong. We’ve dealt with this many days ago and have moved on.”
The league's initial experience with off-field behavioral issues during their Las Vegas excursion highlights its broader challenges with player conduct amid the allure of the city. Stuart and Raiders CEO Don Furner expressed the need for accountability, as both coaches and players strive to balance enjoying the unique environment of Las Vegas with being representatives of their club and the league.
While the incident could have escalated beyond the hotel’s confines, Young and Smithies are now turning their attention back to the game. The Raiders are set to face the Warriors on Sunday, March 2, and both players will have the opportunity to make amends on the field.
These events are particularly relevant as the Raiders seek to establish themselves as major players within the league, and ensuring their players maintain professionalism outside of competition is of utmost importance. The repercussions of the incident serve as a reminder of the delicate balance between enjoying personal freedoms and being responsible ambassadors for their team.
Looking forward, the Raiders have two significant tasks: resolving the aftermath of this incident and preparing for their season opener. With everything discussed and addressed publicly, fans will be eager to see how Young and Smithies perform as they try to move past the Las Vegas altercation.