Rising NRL star denies role in late-night brawl
Written by admin on August 28, 2024
Melbourne Storm rising star Shawn Blore will battle allegations he was involved in a late-night brawl in the Sydney CBD.
Mr Blore’s matter was mentioned before Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, a month after the 24-year-old was arrested.
He was charged with one count of affray following an alleged incident in the Sydney CBD between 2am and 3am on July 8.
Mr Blore was charged alongside his brother Dean Blore, 25, who himself was at one time a promising young playmaker at Penrith.
NSW Police said Shawn and Dean and a 31-year-old man were charged following an alleged fight on Hunter St in the Sydney CBD.
After receiving a report several days later, police began an investigation.
While the alleged offence took place in the early hours of July 8, both Shawn and Dean were not arrested until they attended Day Street Police Station on the evening of July 27.
Shawn was not present in court on Wednesday as his solicitor Eugene Renard entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
According to court documents, police allege the Blores used “unlawful violence” towards the male alleged victim.
Shawn was released on bail on the condition that he not commit any further offences and not be intoxicated or consume alcohol in a public place.
He was not stood down under the NRL’s no fault rule, under which players are automatically sidelined if they are charged with a serious crime that carries a jail term of 11 years or more. Affray carries a maximum penalty of 10 years.
In a statement, the Storm said it had informed the NRL integrity unit and both Shawn and the club had co-operated with NSW Police.
Dean, dressed in a white shirt and grey pants, sat in the second row of the court as his matter was mentioned on Wednesday.
He also entered a not guilty plea.
The matter will return to court on October 16.
Shawn began his career at the Wests Tigers before moving to the Melbourne Storm this year.
He has found career-best form under coach Craig Bellamy and been a key fixture in Melbourne’s march to the minor premiership.
He was among a host of Storm players who have been rested this weekend and was not due to line up against North Queensland in Townsville on Thursday night.
