The rugby league career of Dylan Walker will be on the line when the Manly star returns to court to face domestic violence charges on Tuesday.
Walker will front up at Manly Local Court for a hearing before a magistrate on two counts of assault against his partner Alexandra Ivkovic last December.
The 24-year-old has already pleaded not guilty to the charges of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Should the magistrate find Walker guilty, his playing career could be in serious jeopardy.
An apprehended violence order application has been taken out by police, however it is understood a retraction statement was made by Ivkovic.
The hearing comes just two days before the ARL Commission gathers to consider whether players must be stood down for serious court matters.
It is believed NRL chairman Peter Beattie and chief executive Todd Greenberg will meet with the players union on Tuesday to discuss the issue.
Walker’s fate will have major implications for a Sea Eagles side whose preparations for the season have already been beset by injury.
Star fullback Tom Trbojevic is in major doubt for round one after suffering a hamstring in Saturday’s NRL trial loss to Cronulla.
And coach Des Hasler faces a front-row crisis, with Taniela Paseka and Kelepi Tanginoa also picking up knee issues that could sideline them for a month.
The Sea Eagles have one final trial to get through against the Sydney Roosters in Gosford on Saturday before opening their season against the Wests Tigers.
Journeyman Brendan Elliot has already been tossed up as a candidate to fill Trbojevic’s spot at fullback, while teenager Albert Hopoate is another.