<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>340527</docID> <postdate>2025-03-17 13:45:30</postdate> <headline>Raiders offered suspended fine, no ban for Vegas tiff</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-340528" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/20240907166984712807-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Canberra teammates Hudson Young and Morgan Smithies have avoided suspension for their Vegas bust-up. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Jasper Bruce</strong></span></p> <p><strong>Canberra teammates Morgan Smithies and Hudson Young have received breach notices from the NRL for brawling in a Las Vegas elevator, but are not facing suspension.</strong></p> <p>In accordance with rules implemented with the league's latest collective bargaining agreement, the terms of any breach notices are not disclosed until pleas are entered by those cited.</p> <p>But AAP has been told breach notices issued to Smithies and Young on Monday proposed only a $2500 suspended fine for each player, not a ban or up-front financial penalty.</p> <p>The fine is suspended for 12 months pending any repeat offences.</p> <p>The Raiders have also opted against issuing their own sanctions to the pair over the incident, which took place late last month at the team hotel in Vegas.</p> <p>The NRL on Monday said the players "engaged in conduct which has brought the game and their club into disrepute" ahead of the round-one games in the US.</p> <p>At the time, Young and Smithies both fronted the press to apologise for the incident, which took place when one of them was left without a room on return from a night out.</p> <p>Hotel security attended the scene, finding the brawling pair and what was thought to be a weapon, but was later revealed as an inflatable baseball bat.</p> <p>The league factored in the forwards' contrition in considering their breach notice.</p> <p>"The NRL recognises that the players provided a public apology and have accepted responsibility for their actions," the NRL said in a statement.</p> <p>Players typically have five business days to respond to the NRL's breach notices.</p> <p>Smithies and Young have helped the Raiders to an unbeaten start to the NRL season through two rounds, first excelling in the big defeat of the Warriors in Vegas.</p> <p>Canberra backed up that effort with an upset defeat of premiership hopefuls Brisbane at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.</p> <p>In more good news for the second-placed Raiders, winger Xavier Savage will be available for selection in the round-three clash against Manly after serving a one-game ban.</p> <p>Luckless second-rower Zac Hosking is in doubt for the match after meeting with a specialist on Monday following a hand injury sustained against the Broncos.</p> </body>