Andrew Johns has questioned Corey Norman’s state of mind after the former NRL star put a hand up an opponent’s backside during a Super League match.
Norman’s professional rugby league career could be over after the Toulouse Olympique playmaker was banned for eight games and fined more than $800.
That was the punishment dealt to the former Broncos, Eels and Dragons five-eighth for bringing back the antics made infamous by John Hopoate during Toulouse’s loss to the Warrington Wolves last week.
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Norman pleaded not guilty but the tribunal was “entirely satisfied” that he had intentionally placed a hand between the buttocks of an opposing player.
“Mate, where’s your head at?” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth.
“If you’re thinking about doing that do you reckon you care about what you’re doing on the field?”
Norman’s disturbing move was a throwback to Hopoate’s suspect on-field behaviour in Wests Tigers colours.
He was banned for 12 games after inserting a finger into the backsides of three Cowboys players during a match in 2001.
Brad Fittler said what Norman did was “ridiculous”, but he’s not convinced it warranted an eight-match suspension.
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Ex-NRL star banned for disgusting ‘Hopoate’ move
“I’d rather that than a broken jaw,” Fittler said.
“Like, eight weeks. Is that a long time?”
Freddy and The Eighth presenter Mat Thompson piped in.
“Without trying to be one of those wowzers, it’s sexual assault,” Thompson said.
“If you did it on the street you’d end up in jail.”
Johns shook his head.
“It’s just not on … what are you thinking?”
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