Smith cops three-match ban for contrary conduct charge

Melbourne Storm hooker Brandon Smith has been suspended for three matches after pleading guilty to calling referee Adam Gee a cheating b******d in last Thursday night's loss to the Sharks. 

Smith will miss upcoming clashes against the Raiders, Warriors and Rabbitohs. 

A remorseful Smith was referred directly to the judiciary on Tuesday night to face a three-man panel consisting of Geoff Bellew, Tony Puletua and former NRL referee Paul Simpkins.

Smith was sin-binned in the 60th minute for comments made towards referee Gee as he got up to play the ball. 

He denied NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles' claims he called Gee a f****** cheating p***** but admitted to calling him a cheating b****** in the incident. 

Smith appeared emotional when being spoken to by Gyles, who reminded him about his status in the game as one of the NRL's most popular and influential figures. 

Smith's lawyer, Nick Ghabar, argued that the Storm hooker's clean record in the game should be taken into account, along with his honesty, early guilty plea and remorse following the incident. 

Here are the judiciary panel's summary of reasons for the decision on a three-match ban.

• The decision of the panel was unanimous and did not require a casting vote from the Chairman pursuant to Rule 89.
• In terms of the offence, the panel were satisfied that the words “cheating b******d” were used by the player towards the referee.
• In the panel’s determination, the gravamen of what reflected in the assertion that the referee was a cheat, and that anything else which may or may not have been said was of little moment. 
• The panel took the view that the seriousness of the offending lay in the fact that any assertion that a match official is a cheat, necessarily questions that official’s honesty and integrity.  
• The panel considered it important that any penalty reflected the fact that such conduct was unacceptable, and that it acted as an appropriate deterrent to other players who might be minded to act in the same way. 
• The panel were particularly conscious of the fact that offending of this nature has a potentially adverse effect on young players who seek to emulate those playing in the NRL, and on the successful recruitment of those who might otherwise aspire to become match officials in the elite competition.
• The panel took into account the fact that the player had pleaded guilty and had demonstrated remorse in the manner in which he immediately left the field without remonstrating with the referee, and in wanting to approach the referee immediately after the game to apologise. 
• The panel were impressed by what it regarded as the player’s honesty and contrition when giving evidence, and his acceptance of the fact that he had committed a serious offence by conducting himself in a way which has no place in the game.
• The panel concluded that a penalty of three matches was an appropriate penalty taking into account all of these factors.

Recap the live coverage of the NRL judiciary hearing for Smith below.

7:10pm - Smith has received a three-match ban.

6:54pm - The panel are now deliberating with a verdict to come shortly.

6:44pm - Smith's lawyer Ghabar is asking for a two-match suspension, saying that a four week penalty is too harsh following on from the sin bin that occurred during the match.

“It’s not like he said it after a game at a press conference about the referee. It was done in the heat of the moment. I hope that’s something you can take into account. After the game he actively sought a Storm official after the game to reach out to the referee. He’s prepared to accept and that’s something to his credit. I hope you can also take into account his good record and character. He’s played 100 games for the Storm and eight games for New Zealand. Out of that he has two relatively minor charges. Last year he had a Shoulder Charge and careless Grade One charge. This is in the context that he plays in the middle of the field at either lock, prop or hooker.”

6:41pm - The character reference being provided by Kiwis coach Michael Maguire has now been read out.

“Brandon is a very popular player in the game. He is an exceptionally passionate and committed player. He’s a larrikin but has always shown he’s always respectful towards match officials. I find it out of character he has acted this way towards a referee.”

6:31pm - Gyles is asking for a minimum suspension of four weeks for Smith, despite the remorse, guilty plea and acceptance shown by the player.

6:26pm - NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles says by calling Gee a "cheat", Smith was questioning both the character and integrity of the official.

“The problem with calling a cheat, you were questioning his character and integrity. You were making his job difficult. You’ve let down your club, the fans and officials. As a professional player you need to be able to show a better example. There’s really no excuse is there?”

6:22pm - A dejected Smith says he's prepared for whatever outcome the panel decides.

"I’m not here to argue I’ve done the wrong thing. I just want to let everyone know I feel terrible and I’ll accept any consequence you come up with. I know I’ve done the wrong thing."

6:18pm - Smith has described what happened in the moment.

"In the tackle, I said 'f*** me' but that was not directed at the referee. I was super frustrated. I thought I deserved a penalty at the time. Frustration makes you say things. I got up and continued with cheating b****** comment towards the ref. It was just a brain explosion. It was just frustration and the heat of the moment, the team was down by 20. I was trying to get something going and in the heat of the moment. My performance was poor and my team’s performance was poor. I took it out on the wrong person. I said things I shouldn’t have said to a person."

6:12pm - A character reference has been provided for Smith by current New Zealand Kiwis coach Michael Maguire.

6:10pm - Discussion is taking place around what was said by Smith to referee Adam Gee. "F***ing cheating p***" is what is being challenged by Smith.

6:00pm - Brandon Smith is appearing via video link in Melbourne. He is joined by Storm football boss Frank Ponissi. He is represented in the room at Rugby League Central by lawyer Nick Ghabar.

5:50pm - The judiciary panel is Tony Puletua, Paul Simpkins and Geoff Bellew.

5:30pm - The judiciary hearing will get underway in around 30 minutes. Smith has pleaded guilty to the contrary conduct charge and will learn his fate tonight. Any type of suspension will be costly for Melbourne ahead of Sunday's clash against the Raiders while Smith, in his final year at the Storm, will be hoping his remorse post-match is enough to spare him from time on the sidelines.