NRL CEO Todd Greenberg hopes to have a resolution to an investigation involving Broncos centre James Roberts as early as this week, admitting that his history of poor behaviour will be taken into consideration.
Roberts is currently the subject of an investigation by the Broncos and the NRL Integrity Unit with regards to an incident at a Brisbane pub a week ago with Brisbane teammates at this stage expecting the reigning Dally M Centre of the Year to line up against the Storm on Friday night.
On the Gold Coast on Tuesday to present to 100 current and potential sponsors of the Titans, Greenberg stated the NRL's intention to have the matter resolved as soon as possible but refused to speculate on potential outcomes.
"I think we'd be resolving it this week. That would be my plan," Greenberg said.
"We don't like to have these things going over and over. We need to deal with them professionally and appropriately but where we can deal with them we'll deal with them.
"It's been clear that both the Broncos and our Integrity Unit have been speaking this week and that will be continuing over the next few days."
Roosters half Mitchell Pearce and Eels five-eighth Corey Norman have both been dealt hefty suspensions for off-field indiscretions this season but Greenberg said those punishments would not play a part in issuing any punishment to Roberts.
What will count against the 23-year-old is history at previous clubs that saw him sacked from both the Rabbitohs and Panthers.
After scoring 16 tries in a breakout season for the Titans last season and becoming a father earlier this year Roberts appeared destined to realise his incredible potential but faces an anxious wait as the NRL determines whether his actions deserve to be punished with time on the sideline.
"We don't benchmark one against the other and I understand why the fans do," Greenberg said of comparisons to the Pearce and Norman cases.
"We can only deal with the facts and we judge those facts in front of us.
"Until such time as I have all that information in front of me and the Integrity Unit then it's very difficult for me to speculate.
"As we look at judgements on players we will always look at previous misdemeanours.
"There's no doubt that will create some of our discussion but what I keep hearing from the Broncos is great support for this player and that's what the game is continuing to do.
"We need to support our young players."
