BANNED Tumbarumba captain-coach Aaron Sweeney will fight to save his career following his 12-month suspension.
Sweeney and the Greens lodged an appeal with Country Rugby League after the prop was rubbed out by the Group Nine board on Tuesday night.
The prop pleaded guilty to a contrary conduct charge for effectively “bringing the game into disrepute” following his actions during Tumbarumba’s game against Junee at Laurie Daley Oval two weeks ago.
Despite his guilty plea, Sweeney will face a new hearing after being handed out one of the longest bans in the modern era by Group Nine.
After discussion with Sweeney’s legal representative Ian Donald, Tumbarumba secretarty Chris Rynehart confirmed the club will continue to fight.
“We will appeal,” Rynehart said.
“We are disappointed with the severity of the sentence and will be appealing that.”
The appeal is expected to be heard in Wagga next week, however a date is yet to be set.
Rynehart said the club was surprised by the severity of the decision.
“We expected a suspension, but we didn’t expect 12 months," Rynehart said.
“It’s also a significant financial penalty for him given it pretty much ends his career.
“He would be unlikely to get a coaching position next year if he is rubbed out for half the season.”
With the Greens having the bye this weekend, the club is in no rush to announce a replacement.
Rynehart said the club were yet to look at their long term options, preferring to wait under the appeal is heard.
It’s one positive from the latest of incidents surrounding the coach and his turbulent three years with Tumbarumba.
Sweeney fronted the Group Nine judiciary last August over a similar charge, but was found not guilty of behaving in a way contrary to the true spirit of the game in an incident with referee Sam Went that was deemed “unavoidable”.
Sweeney did not return The Daily Advertiser calls.
