Melbourne Storm flyer Billy Slater has been able to get his Grade 2 contrary conduct charge overturned tonight at the NRL judiciary – Slater and his legal team were successful in having the charge merely downgraded, meaning the Storm custodian will miss 1 NRL game instead of the 2 game ban initially imposed.
Slater came face to face with the NRL top brass after letting fly during a brawl in the Storm’s match with St George Illawarra on Monday night. Billy Slater was paired off with Jason Nightingale and showed a clean pair of fists as he unleashed fury on the Kiwi outside back. Slaters defence revolved around the fact that Nightingale was initially the aggressor and came at Slater first with head butts – hence his actions were defensive.
The Dragons’ Beau Scott was also charged over that incident, receiving a one-match ban.
Slater will miss Melbourne’s visit to the New Zealand Warriors this week but will be back for the home game against the Gold Coast Titans a week later.