The Canberra Raiders found themselves embroiled in controversy after two of their players, Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies, were reprimanded following a bizarre incident at their Las Vegas hotel. The incident transpired during the players' first night in the entertainment capital as the team prepared for the NRL season opener.
According to reports from The Canberra Times and other sources, the drama unfolded at Resorts World after the players became involved in physical fisticuffs due to complications with their hotel room bookings. Miscommunication led to hotel staff briefly evicting the pair until order was restored.
Initially, fears arose among the hotel staff when security believed one of the players might have been wielding a weapon during the scuffle, which was later clarified to be just an inflatable baseball bat. This confusion occurred against the backdrop of significant delays at the hotel, which saw the Raiders and other NRL teams waiting up to seven hours to receive their room keys after landing.
The skirmish broke out when one player attempted to share a room with the other, resulting in physical altercation. The situation escalated quickly, and it wasn't long before security personnel were summoned to address the disruption. Though security evicted Young and Smithies temporarily, they were soon allowed back inside the hotel once the situation had calmed.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart addressed the incident, stating, "I have spoken to the players who are very embarrassed. The behaviour was unacceptable. The club will deal with this strongly." He confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald the disciplinary actions taken by the Raiders yet clarified this would not hinder the team's preparations for their first match against the New Zealand Warriors next Sunday.
Despite the reprimand, both Young and Smithies are expected to be available for selection for the opening game of the NRL season, as confirmed by The Canberra Times. I’ve dealt with this strongly. It was irresponsible behaviour, I've dealt with this and want to now go about preparing the team for Saturday, Stuart added, aiming to focus his players on the upcoming clash.
This incident marks the first significant controversy for the Raiders since the NRL opted to play matches on American soil, with the Raiders hoping to bring their brand, known as the Green Machine, to international prominence. They are accompanied by aspirations to have UFC president Dana White serve as their ambassador for the season-opener, adding competitive excitement to their Las Vegas adventure.
The players primarily took to enjoying various Las Vegas attractions including visiting casinos, engaging with local sports teams like the Golden Knights, and indulging at venues such as Stadium Swim, where they participated in recovery sessions. Yet, young forward Kaeo Weekes indicated the importance of balance when letting leisure activities intermingle with competitive integrity. It's come pretty fast round one,” Weekes stated. “Going to round one we want to get the win first, but enjoy Vegas as well.
Other team members expressed similar sentiments, with senior player Jamal Fogarty highlighting the need for professionalism and focus as the team competes against the backdrop of Las Vegas's vibrant environment. We're kidding ourselves if we're not aiming for the top eight, Fogarty remarked. He underscored the significance of remaining committed both on and off the field, especially as pressures mount during the season.
Although the Raiders aim to push forward from this hiccup, there are still unresolved dynamics elicited by the incident, with coach Stuart discussing the players facing questions from the media following their returned access to the hotel. Their prompt media availability reflects the Raiders' intent to maintain transparency and address accountability head-on.
Later this week, the Raiders will shift gears back to more traditional training routines as they prepare for their highly anticipated match. The opening fixture against the New Zealand Warriors will take place at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday, marking both the start of the new season and the next chapter for the illustrative Raiders to put this chapter behind them and focus on football.
The Raiders have taken 25 players to the US, with options for replacements should internal decisions dictate necessary changes. Yet, losing two key forwards like Young and Smithies would significantly impact their scheduled formation on the field, underscoring the challenge the team confronts not only as athletes but members of the Raiders community as well.