NRL player Corey Norman has earned his second Frownlow Medal nomination in almost as many days after revelations that he was charged by police with possession of drugs.
Norman was stopped outside The Star casino with a group of friends and was later charged with possession of MDMA capsules. The drug charge comes just days after he was photographed dining with crime figures.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. The first medal was awarded to Sydney Roosters and New Zealand representative Shaun Kenny-Dowall in 2015.
The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players who receive media attention for similarly scandalous behaviour and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Todd Carney.
It was originally thought that the drugs belonged to another member of the group, and that Norman would rely on the MDMA defense, (My Dodgy Mates Alibi) in order to escape punishment.
However, the Parramatta five-eighth has been formally charged and, as a result, strengthened his position against players such as Sydney Roosters half Mitchell Pearce and Richmond Tiger Dustin Martin, in the race for the 2016 medal.
The Frownlow Medal winner, and The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame inductees, will be announced in October.
First published in May 2016.
Image: Nuna
The Frownlow Medal 