Scandals cost me Eels captaincy: Norman

Last year’s misadventures cost Corey Norman Parramatta’s captaincy and devalued his signature, the NRL playmaker admits, purportedly by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Contributing to a hellish year for the Eels, Norman’s 2016 was marred when he was arrested for drug possession before pleading guilty.

He was suspended by the NRL for eight matches and fined $20,000 in July for a range of indiscretions, including his part in a sex tape scandal and a police warning for consorting with criminals.

As well as damaging his leadership credentials, the scandals also rocked his relationship with Eels coach Brad Arthur, with he and Norman falling out following his arrest.

“Brad didn’t speak to me for quite a bit there,” Norman told Fairfax Media.

“That’s how disappointed he was in me. He had every right to be like that because I let him down.

“It probably cost me the captaincy, to be honest.”

Norman’s behaviour also hit him financially, with his new three-year deal signed in August believed to be almost $400,000 lower than initially requested.

Not helping his contract situation was the club’s salary cap woes, which led to the Eels being deducted 12 competition points.

“It did cost me. I know that and it was the price I paid for what happened,” Norman said.

“Obviously I was on the market and could talk to other clubs, but I was definitely going to stay loyal to Parramatta.

“I owed them for what they have done for me.”

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