COREY Norman will return for the Dragons against the Cowboys this week after serving a controversial suspension in round one.
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Norman was rubbed out of his side's round-one clash with the Sharks after he was hit with a $20,000 fine and two-game sanction (one suspended) following his involvement in a Cronulla street fight in January.
It also involved good mate and former NRL player James Segeyaro who they claimed was racially abused by a group of men.
Norman and the Dragons challenged the sanction that saw the monetary penalty cut in half but the suspension upheld.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo acknowledged there was a "degree of provocation" but that it was "not an excuse to engage in any form of violence."
The position has been widely criticised by commentators and fellow players who fear the approach will leave players unable to defend themselves when targeted in public.
Read More: Lawrie vows Dragons pack won't be bullied
It was a far from ideal start to the season for Norman, who comes into 2021 off-contract and under pressure following a disappointing 2020.
He returns to the Dragons line-up at the expense of Adam Clune, who played in the No. 6 against the Sharks, and will play his first game under Anthony Griffin since 2013.
It was also the last time he played game alongside both Ben Hunt and Andrew McCullough after starring with the pair at NYC level.
The Dragons 17 is otherwise unchanged, with Cody Ramsey named despite suffering an ankle injury in scoring a subsequently disallowed try in the second half of the loss to Cronulla.
Jordan Pereira was named on an extended bench and looms as the likely replacement should Ramsey ruled out later in the week.
DRAGONS TEAM FOR ROUND TWO:
- Matt Dufty
- Cody Ramsey
- Jack Bird
- Zac Lomax
- Mikaele Ravalawa
- Corey Norman
- Ben Hunt (c)
- Blake Lawrie
- Andrew McCullough
- Paul Vaughan
- Josh Kerr
- Tariq Sims
- Tyrell Fuimaono
- Poasa Faamausili
- Trent Merrin
- Daniel Alvaro
- Brayden Wiliame
- Adam Clune
- Kaide Ellis
- Jackson Ford
- Jordan Pereira