It’s been more than eight months since it happened and the former Panther now plays for a different NRL club.
But the NRL has finally concluded its integrity unit investigation into the behaviour of both Daine Laurie and the Penrith Panthers following a ‘Mad Monday’ incident last season.
With Laurie’s name conspicuously absent from the Canberra Raiders’ team list for this weekend’s Round 17 match against the Dragons, it has been revealed by The Canberra Times that the 26-year-old has been slapped with a one-match suspension by the NRL as well as an undisclosed fine.
The penalty relates to events on the morning of September 29, 2025 – the day after Penrith was eliminated from the 2025 NRL premiership race in a 16-14 preliminary final loss to the Brisbane Broncos.
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According to The Daily Telegraph Laurie was charged with possessing a prohibited drug after the car he was a passenger in was stopped in Penrith and police officers allegedly found a small bag of cocaine.
Laurie was originally due to face Penrith Local Court on November 10.
But the charges were ultimately withdrawn when Laurie’s lawyer Pat Duffy successfully argued the police should have instead issued the player with a Criminal Infringement Notice and $400 on-the-spot fine, which they belatedly did and the matter was dismissed.
The following day it was announced Laurie had signed a three-year deal with the Raiders – with his new club now effectively penalised for indiscretions committed when Laurie wasn’t even a contracted player.
In addition to Laurie’s suspension, it’s understood Penrith has also been issued with a fine for failing to report the incident to the NRL integrity unit.