The playing future of Jack de Belin is now in the hands of the Australian Rugby League Commission after the representative forward was ruled out of Saturday night’s trial against Newcastle with a chest infection.

The Dragons have been prevented from having to make a call on de Belin’s availability for this weekend’s WIN Stadium encounter after he suffered an upper respiratory tract infection. Club medicos sent de Belin home from training on Monday after he was floored by the condition, believed to have been brought on by the stress of the aggravated sexual assault allegation he is facing. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The timing of de Belin’s sickness means the Dragons effectively won’t have to make a call on his immediate playing future. The Red V’s next trial game is the Charity Shield encounter against South Sydney on March 2 – just two days after the ARLC meets on February 28 to decide de Belin’s fate.

The Commission is in the process of reviewing the game’s disciplinary policy after vowing to come down harder on players who tarnish the NRL’s brand. The ARLC is investigating the prospect of standing down players facing serious criminal charges, with feedback from stakeholders – and legal advice – shaping as key factors.

The Australian Olympic Committee has the power to immediately suspend athletes who have allegedly committed serious offences, as evidenced by the decision to cut swimmer Nick D’Arcy from the 2008 Olympic team after he was charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. ARLC chairman Peter Beattie has been in touch with AOC president John Coates to discuss the issue.

If rugby league decides to go down the same path, it means de Belin may not play again unless he is acquitted in court.