Brisbane Broncos Payne Haas and Albert Kelly are set to be hit with suspensions following their drunken brawl by the NRL.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis expects the duo to both face one or two game bans, but Haas looks set to remain in the Broncos’ line-up for their Round 5 clash on Friday against the Warriors.
As Kelly is injured, his ban will be served once he’s deemed fit, but Haas is expected to remain available for selection until the investigation wraps up and verdicts are handed out.
“Both of those players face a one- or two-game ban,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Obviously, Albert Kelly is sidelined so he’s going to be missing anyway.
“If the investigation doesn’t wrap up before today, Payne Haas will be able to play.
“I dare say he will be able to play because it is getting very close to kick off time for the Broncos and it will disrupt their preparation if their best player was suddenly pulled out now
“I think he’ll play, and then will face a one or two game ban over the weekend once the investigation wraps up.”
It’s believed the incident occurred after the club’s Round 2 clash against the Bulldogs at a Sydney hotel.
It’s the second alcohol fuelled incident Haas has been involved with in the last 14 months, after he was fined and suspended by the NRL in February last year after intimidating police.
News Corp are reporting that Haas would’ve gotten off for a warning if it was a first offence.
A two game ban would rule Haas out of the Broncos’ games against the Panthers and Bulldogs in Round 6 and 7 respectively.