Starling free to train and play round one

Raiders hooker Tom Starling and Manly five-eighth Dylan Walker will be free to play in round one as their respective court cases push past the start of the NRL season.

Starling had six of seven charges dropped by NSW police at Gosford Local Court on Thursday, following his arrest at a Central Coast restaurant last December.

The 22-year-old entered a not guilty plea to the remaining charge of resisting arrest which will be next heard on March 11, the same day the 2021 season kicks off.

He will be permitted to continue training with Canberra and be available for round one selection according to the NRL, as the Integrity Unit continues to monitor court proceedings.

An NRL spokesperson confirmed neither Starling or Walker are subject to the NRL's no fault stand-down policy.

Starling had been charged with five counts of assaulting an officer in the execution of duty as well as affray when he and three other men, two of whom were his brothers, were arrested following a scuffle with police at a Kincumber restaurant.

Those charges were dropped when the case was mentioned on Thursday, with Starling not required to attend.

Walker will also be free to play in round one as a two-day hearing to answer assault charges was set for mid-May.

The Sea Eagles star has pleaded not guilty to two common assault charges after an alleged fight with two pizza shop employees on the northern beaches.

The 26-year-old was arrested last November over the incident and has both NRL and Sea Eagles approval to be available for round one selection as the case continues.