SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Manase Fainu of the Sea Eagles passes the ball during the round 20 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Newcastle Knights at Lottoland on August 03, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Manly hooker Manase Fainu has received bail after two weeks in custody following an alleged stabbing incident at a church dance last month.

The incident allegedly occurred at a Mormon event in the outer Sydney suburb of Wattle Grove where a 24-year-old man was stabbed in the back with a 10cm knife.

Manly coach Des Hasler and several fellow players were among a full room at NSW Supreme Court Tuesday, while Fainu was broadcast in via video link from Parklea Correctional Centre.

Justice Stephen Rothman laid down some conditions, including a ban on alcohol and illicit substances and the surrender of Fainu's passport.

Upon his release from custody, he will continue to train five days a week with Manly but aside from attending medical appoiontments or further court dates, these will be his only outside contact hours unless accompanied by a relative.

Fainu pleaded not guilty to charges including wound with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, described by Justice Rothman as "as close to murder as you can get".

"There are at least three witnesses who are relatively independent who can identify the applicant as the person who wielded the knife," Justice Rothman said of the October 25 incident.

The case will resume on December 16 at Liverpool Local Court.

14 COMMENTS

  1. He will be playing again next season, but the door will still be closed on Israel Folau.
    Welcome to clown world….honk honk 🤡

  2. Rolled over like a good dog no doubt
    For the evidence and eye witnesses the young boy has given the police a little info involving he’s fellow gang members

  3. Must have some good evidence if he has been released on bail. However if the court proceedings continue for another 18 months then under the NRL laws, he is stood down from playing until all court proceedings are completed.

  4. Mark.mywords, or, one of the best defence lawyers in the country taking 2 weeks to get his client very strict bail conditions for a grevious bodily harm charge could (just might) indicate the prosecution has some form of a case.

  5. Yes true Eelsalmighty, indeed a person has been stabbed and somebody witnessed the crime. The truth will come out in court. A criminal will be found out and punished.
    However Fainu will be unable to play for Manly until he proves his innocence. Like the De Belin case, this lengthly procedure could extend for a couple of years.

  6. I hear you.
    I don’t like/don’t think it’s fair that clubs are effectively penalised by an indivuals action.
    I don’t like the fact that most people (myself included) think of the potential impact on their club first.
    But worse still, and I’m NOT having a crack at you at all, but then the impact on the club, or on an opposition club, becomes grounds to defend/attack a player.
    That said, I don’t have the perfect solution, and take your point.

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