St George Illawarra player Talatau Junior Amone has been stood down by the NRL after facing court alongside his father charged with an assault south of Wollongong.
The 20-year-old Dragons halfback was allowed bail last month after police alleged he assaulted a tradesman on a rooftop armed with a hammer.
The NRL released a statement this afternoon that confirmed the Dragons had been advised Mr Junior Amone was subject to the mandatory no-fault stand down policy.
"Under the condition, the player is not permitted to participate as a player in the NRL competition or any related, representative or other competition or pre-season trial match," the statement reads.
The NRL no fault stand down policy applies to players facing charges with a maximum prison term of more than 11 years.
The reckless grievous bodily harm in company charge faced by Mr Junior Amone carries a maximum prison term of 14 years.
Police alleged his father Talatau Dal Amone, 46, was also involved in a confrontation with two contractors working on the roof of a neighbour's house in Warrawong.
Police facts tendered to the court claim Mr Dal Amone told police he knew nothing of the alleged attack, but was arrested after one of the tradesman identified him.
He was charged with five offences including intimidation and destruction of property.
Police yesterday laid an additional charge of reckless grievous bodily harm in company.
Mr Junior Amone was accompanied by family members when he appeared in person in Wollongong Local Court today, while his father appeared for his bail hearing via video link from Parklea prison.
Defence lawyer Elias Tabchouri told the court Mr Dal Amone was suffering from depression and anxiety in custody and needed to help care for his nine children.
The court heard Mr Dal Amone had been on bail before his arrest after being charged over an incident in 2016 with a trial date set in the District Court for July.
Mr Tabchouri told the court his client had complied with his bail conditions in the six years since his release.
He said the alleged victim's injuries were not as serious as police had claimed after obtaining hospital discharge papers.
"To suggest somehow in the fact sheet he has broken wrists, two broken ribs and nerve damage to his lower back is somehow curious when you look at discharge form," Mr Tabchouri said.
He said the alleged victim's injuries were only a wrist fracture according to the documents.
The court heard that Mr Dal Amone was willing to remain at his home and leave only for work and to report to police daily.
Police sergeant Kate McKinley said the victim's injuries were serious and police were waiting for an updated medical record.
Ms McKinley said she was concerned by the prospect of the father and son living together if the bail application was granted.
She also disagreed that Mr Dal Amone had complied with his previous bail conditions.
"I would submit he has breached bail conditions by committing further offences, and serious offences at that," Ms McKinley said.
She said police had spoken to multiple witnesses and obtained CCTV footage of the incident.
Magistrate Greg Elks said there were no conditions which could address the risk associated with Mr Dal Amone's release.
"I am of the view that this is a serious matter, and a jail sentence is inevitable," Mr Elks said.
"Mr Amone has not shown cause as to why he should be released and bail is refused."
Mr Tabchouri told reporters he would continue to pursue bail for his client in an upcoming Supreme Court appearance.
"We are a little bit disappointed but that's OK," he said.
"It is still early days in the case and we will move forward and address the case the way we need to."
Mr Junior Amone's bail was continued while a brief of evidence is prepared ahead of the next court appearance in March.
