Canberra Raiders Young Gun Avoids Conviction After Beer Incident
Canberra Raiders rising star Chevy Stewart has been handed a conditional release order after being found guilty of damaging property during a night out in Cronulla. The 20-year-old fullback appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday, where he avoided a formal conviction despite the guilty finding.
Incident Details and Court Outcome
The incident occurred on September 26 at Northies nightclub in Cronulla, where Stewart poured a beer on a poker machine. Police were called to the scene and asked Stewart to leave the premises, which he complied with promptly.
Magistrate Sarah Hopkins handed down a 12-month conditional release order that requires Stewart to not commit any offences during that period and appear in court if called upon. The order commenced on January 22, 2026, and will expire on January 21, 2027.
"The offender, Chevy Stewart, is found guilty, but without proceeding to conviction, is sentenced to a conditional release order for a period of 12 months," the court stated in its official ruling.
Season Context and Future Prospects
This legal matter comes after a challenging 2025 season for Stewart, who managed only one NRL appearance during the entire campaign. That solitary game came in the Raiders' final home-and-away match of the season.
Despite being contracted to the Green Machine until the end of 2026 with an option for 2027, Stewart had requested permission to explore opportunities with other clubs earlier in the year. However, no other NRL team has shown interest in acquiring the talented fullback's services, meaning he appears likely to remain with Canberra for the upcoming season.
Club Response and Next Steps
The Canberra Raiders organization will now deliberate on whether additional internal disciplinary measures are warranted or if the court's decision provides sufficient resolution to the matter. Club officials have indicated they will review the situation carefully before making any determinations about Stewart's standing within the team.
This incident represents another off-field challenge for the NRL, which has implemented stricter behavioral standards for players in recent years. The conditional release order allows Stewart to continue his football career while being held accountable for his actions through the court-imposed conditions.
