- Roosters halfback will appear in court on serious charges
- A person is believed to have been seriously injured while driving
Roosters NRL star Sandon Smith has been hit with a serious charge after allegedly leaving a person seriously injured while driving.
The 21-year-old halfback is due to appear in court at Sydney’s Downing Center on Thursday charged with negligent driving occasioning serious bodily harm.
This offense carries a maximum penalty of nine months in prison, a $2,200 fine and an indefinite driving disqualification for a first offense.
A Roosters spokesperson has confirmed the club is aware of the allegation, as is the NRL Integrity Unit.
Smith made his NRL debut in Round 14, 2023 against the Bulldogs, making history as he became the first Roosters star to reach the first grade after coming through the club’s Central Coast Pathpaths program.
This season he filled in for halfback Sam Walker after suffering a serious injury in the team’s defeat to Canberra on September 1.
Sandon Smith (pictured playing for the Roosters this year) will appear in court in Sydney on Thursday after being charged with negligent driving occasioning serious bodily harm
The 21-year-old is considered the first choice to play at halfback for the Roosters next season, with their regular number 7 Sam Walker out for a long period due to a serious injury.
Smith went on to manage the side in their big win over Souths in the final game of the regular season, before retaining his place for the Roosters’ finals campaign.
He was heavily targeted in their loss to Penrith in week one of the finals before taking aim as the Chooks comfortably defeated Manly the following week, before falling to the Storm on 27 September to end their season.
Depending on the outcome of his court hearing, Smith should be first in line to play at halfback for the Roosters in 2025, with Walker not expected back until about halfway through the season.