Beleaguered NRL club the Gold Coast Titans have had to discipline another player for unruly behaviour. James Roberts was arrested in Surfers Paradise last Saturday night. He was on the glitter strip celebrating the V8 racing carnival when he refused to comply with the orders of a police officer to move away from an incident they were attending.
Roberts was charged with being a public nuisance and obstructing officers of the law.
While this may seem a petty offence the NRL integrity unit have decided to investigate to make sure there is nothing more to the matter.
This is Roberts’ third infraction with the police – all of them because of alcohol.
Roberts was released from the South Sydney and Penrith Panthers clubs for more serious – alcohol fuelled – offences.
The Titans have a long history of picking up talented but troubled players. Greg Bird, Maurice Blair, Paul Carter are just a few on their roster who have been taken into the fold and nurtured by the club.
And while the Titans are unable to take those offences into account, should they decide to penalise Roberts, the NRL can.
Roberts is touted as being the fastest runner playing the game today. He has been tipped to be a Blues Origin player of the future.
Losing him would be as damaging to the struggling Titans as it would be to Roberts himself.