Dragon facing serious charges stood down by NRL

Young Dragons star Talatau Junior Amone has been stood down by the NRL after he was charged with a string of serious offences by police.

The 20-year-old half is seen as one of the club's stars of the future but he faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines while the case against him his heard.

The NRL released a statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming the no-fault stand-down rule had been enacted.

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Amone has been charged with reckless grievous bodily harm in company, destroy or damage property and stalking or intimidation with intent to cause fear of physical or mental harm, following an alleged incident in 2022.

The policy means Amone is not allowed to play in the NRL, including pre-season matches, nor any representative matches.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10:  Talatau Amone of the Dragons  looks dejected after losing the round 14 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on June 10, 2022, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

"The Dragons will continue to provide support for all parties concerned," the club said in a statement.

The ARL Commission introduced the no-fault stand-down rule in February 2019, after allegations of sexual assault were raised against Amone's Dragons teammate Jack de Belin and friend Callan Sinclair.

In May 2021, de Belin and Sinclair were found not guilty of one charge, and the jury was unable to reach verdicts on the five others.

Before the ARL Commission introduced the no-fault stand-down policy, players who pleaded not guilty to alleged offences were allowed to keep playing while the matters were handled in court.

Amone has played 35 NRL games since making his debut in 2021.

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