Storm star Brandon Smith has received a three-game suspension for abusing NRL referee Adam Gee.
Smith was referred directly to the judiciary after he was awarded for calling Gee a “stick of traps” during a surprise defeat to the Sharks last Thursday.
Melbourne had the ball when Smith delivered his sled, believing that Cronulla had been able to dominate the ruck slowing down the ball game.
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NRL attorney Lachlan Gyles opened court proceedings Tuesday night alleging that Smith also said Gee was a “damn trap.”
Smith, who pleaded guilty to the charge of misconduct, admitted that he said Gee was a cheating bastard, but denied the second sleigh.
“I said‘ m ***, but to myself, not to the referee, ’Smith said.
“I was extremely frustrated and then I said the referee was a rogue cheat. It was a brain explosion.
“I was frustrated because my performance was bad and my team’s performance was bad, we were losing 20 and in the heat of the moment I did it with the wrong person.”
Smith left immediately and had a verbal confrontation with a Sharks fan as he walked through the tunnel.
The 26-year-old apologized and was moved when he confronted the judiciary via a video link Tuesday night.
“I went into the cutlery and told Frank (Ponissi) right away that he had fucked me. I told him what I said and I was very disappointed,” Smith said.
Brandon Smith from the storm last week. Getty Images Font: Getty Images
“After the match I asked Frank if I could see the referee to apologize and I did. I went and apologized and told him I was out of character.
“I’m ashamed. I will accept any consequences you give me tonight.”
Gyles NRL admitted that Gee might have misunderstood the “punch point” part, but argued that it was too big because he still said the referee was a trap.
“The reason we’re here is because he questioned the referee’s integrity by calling him a cheater,” Gyles said.
“It cannot be considered appropriate for any reason to question the character, honesty or integrity of an arbitrator.
“An offense of this nature has a potentially adverse effect on young players seeking to emulate those who play in the NRL competition … and an adverse effect on those who may aspire to become match officials.
Gyles argued that Smith is one of the most popular players in the game and therefore had an additional responsibility to be a role model.
“We demand that a minimum ban of four weeks be imposed.”
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This was an argument that Smith’s lawyer, Nick Ghabar, flatly rejected, saying that all players should have the same level.
Ghabar said a two-week suspension “would serve as a deterrent more than enough” and an additional sanction would not take into account his remorse.
New Zealand coach Michael Maguire wrote a character reference for Smith and part of it was read by Ghabar.
“Brandon is a larrikin, but he has always been respectful of authority, including referees. That was out of character,” Maguire wrote.
The two-man court consisted of former player Tony Puletua and referee Paul Simpkins.
“The gravity of the accusation of deception, but the panel was impressed by the honesty and contrition shown,” President Goeff Bellew said.
Smith will miss games against the Raiders, Rabbitohs and Warriors.
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