Dragons star Junior Amone is set to have his NRL contract deregistered after the governing body issued a notice to the five-eighth amid his court battle over his role in a hammer attack.

Amone avoided prison in Wollongong District Court last week after being convicted of charges of intimidation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm when he brandished a hammer and chase a tradesman off a roof in November last year.

The NRL on Tuesday afternoon confirmed it had issued the notice, which is the first step towards deregistering Amone’s contract.

“The National Rugby League (NRL) has today issued a Notice to St George Illawarra Dragons player Talatau Junior Amone under the NRL Playing Contract and Remuneration Rules,” the club said in a statement.

“On 11 December, 2023 the player was sentenced in Wollongong Local Court to two years imprisonment by way of an intensive corrections order and 300 hours of community service.