NRL player Tom Starling has earned a second nomination for The Frownlow Medal after being arrested at a bar on the NSW Central Coast.
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. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while AFL player Elijah Taylor is the most recent recipient.
Starling’s second nomination came at the same bar where he earned his first in 2020. The Canberra Raiders hooker and three other people were refused entry to a bar in Kincumber and are alleged to have threatened the security who would not let them in. Two of the group are alleged to have fled the scene on foot, while the other two reportedly yelled and hindered police, resulting in charges of assaulting a police officer.
The incident which earned Starling his first nomination left him with scars and bruises all over his face and led to accusations that he assaulted a police officer. This recent incident creates doubt over his playing future, as he is yet to sign a new deal with the Raiders.
The bigger question, though, is whether Starling will be allowed into the awards night for The Frownlow Medal later this year.
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 