Spencer Leniu was cheated. He was robbed. He was told that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but his on-field tantrum has earned him a nomination for The Frownlow Medal.
Leniu has been accused of a racial slur against Broncos player Ezra Mam during the Roosters game against Brisbane in Las Vegas, and has been reported to the NRL Judiciary.
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 NRL star Talatau Amone is the most recent recipient.
Leniu allegedly called Mam a monkey during the game, and the Indigenous Australian half reported the incident to the referee. Leniu was put on report and the matter will be investigated by the NRL in full in the coming weeks.
To make matters worse, according to available media reports, Leniu has not even denied making the comment.
The Roosters enforcer also didn’t help his cause when he told a reporter that the alleged slur was just a bit of banter, and that Mam was welcome to take it up with him at the hotel later on. Unfortunately, that’s what happened. Leniu had an argument with Mam and two Broncos teammates at the hotel in which both teams were staying.
Social media has erupted over the incident, with players condemning and defending Leniu. One former NRL player to defend Leniu was John Hopoate, a man famous for off-field scandals and a proud inductee into The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame. With supporters like that, Leniu stands a chance of winning the most prestigious prize in Australian sport. If he does, he may even be given the chance to nominate the venue to host the awards night later in the year.
Vegas baby?
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 