This was published 7 years ago
Corey Norman 'sent video' to Parramatta Eels teammates via Snapchat
By Michael Chammas
The Corey Norman sex tape saga has taken another twist after revelations the Parramatta five-eighth allegedly sent footage of an elderly man snorting a white substance to Eels teammates via Snapchat.
A separate video of Norman involved in a sex act with a naked female, which was filmed by the woman, has also been shopped to media organisations.
The other video is believed to be a Snapchat Norman filmed and sent to Eels teammates and other NRL players of a man snorting a white substance in a hotel room.
There is no suggestion Norman was involved in any illegal behaviour. Fairfax Media understands the Eels are very concerned with the allegations Norman shared the footage with teammates and friends, but both NRL and Parramatta officials have not seen the footage.
In the spotlight: Corey Norman at Parramatta training on Tuesday.Credit: Peter Rae
It is believed a Sydney lawyer, on behalf of clients, contacted Channel Seven and Channel Nine on Monday to sell the footage, which also included Norman's former house mate James Segeyaro, for $150,000.
Both Seven and Nine are believed to have viewed the footage, but both declined to buy it. But Seven described the contents of the video on its Monday night news bulletin.
The Parramatta Eels are investigating the incident, but Norman can escape punishment if the footage is not viewed in the public domain or supplied to Parramatta or the NRL.
Former Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell was fined $5000 in 2014 after a Snapchat video of him involved in a sex act was shared on social media.
Norman trained with the Eels on Tuesday morning and is due to front court on Wednesday on drug possession charges after he was caught with MDMA capsules at The Star casino in May.
Club captain Tim Mannah admitted Norman should have known better than to be caught in such a situation but took aim at those who took advantage of a private gathering for their own financial benefit.
"My take is as a teammate and a friend of his," Mannah said.
"It's a shame his private life is grabbing so much attention from someone seeking to make money out of something he's done privately ... I'd like to think that I'd know better. He's got himself into a situation and it's not pleasant but it is what it is."
"I think he'll definitely learn huge lessons from this. He did nothing wrong and, as professional athletes, there's lessons to be learnt. I think a lot of people, not just Corey, a lot of people will get lessons out of this."
Norman has been in the headlines for his blistering form on the field this season, but it is the off-field misdemeanours that continue to plague the talented 25-year-old.
He was warned by police for associating with known criminals after a photo of Norman, Segeyaro and Junior Paulo at dinner with bikies and known criminals was posted on Paulo's Instagram account.
While Mannah didn't defend his teammates actions, he highlighted the growing trend of players being targeted by members of the public.
"Everyone is a target who plays professional sport," Mannah said.
"You've got to realise there are people out there who want to benefit from your private life. No matter who you are, if you are in the spotlight, you are a target. Not personally but I have seen behaviours where people seem to target celebrities, try to take advantage of them.
"I'm not on the social scene any more. There's definitely people with that mentality out there. The bigger the sport gets in Australia and the more professional we become, the profile comes with that and the more people have to be aware of behaving in public."
Mannah paid tribute to Norman's ability to put aside adversity and perform for the Eels.
"He's done a great job of handling adversity this year," Mannah said.
"Obviously ,we've had a season this year that could have derailed him but he's doing a good job keeping his mind is on the job. He's had all sorts of issues ... he's trying to get a new contract ... he's a very important part of our team."