A furore surrounding Parramatta Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi has unexpectedly migrated from the NRL integrity process to NSW parliament, where state politicians weighed in on the young star's predicament.
The controversy erupted after images of Iongi circulated on social media in February, apparently showing the 22-year-old preparing to smoke an unidentified substance. One image appears to capture Iongi adding an unidentified substance from a herb grinder to a roll-your-own cigarette while seated at a table. Additional photos depict the rising star in a bathtub holding a lighter beneath the cigarette, followed by what seems to be him smoking it in a dimly lit room. Critical uncertainties surround the origin of these images, with no confirmation regarding who took them, when they were captured, or their specific location.
In response, the Parramatta Eels are aware of the breach notice issued by the NRL to Isaiah Iongi. The breach notice alleges that Iongi violated the NRL code of conduct by featuring in imagery that has brought the game into disrepute, as determined by an independent decision maker.
The matter proved contentious enough for the NSW parliament on Wednesday evening, when Jeremy Buckingham, who serves as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council and represents the Legalise Cannabis Party, raised the issue in debate. The phrase "it could have been parsley" that emerged during the discussion captured a deeper scepticism about whether the substance in the photographs could even be conclusively identified, let alone constitute a serious breach of NRL standards.
The parliamentary intervention reflects broader sympathy for Iongi's position. There are no assertions of any unlawful wrongdoing against Iongi, and it's also understood the images were from years ago. For a player who has emerged as one of the league's brightest talents, the timing and nature of the allegations raise legitimate questions about fairness. Iongi earned a Dally M Rookie of the Year nomination and represented Tonga in the Pacific Championships following his breakout 2025 season.
Under NRL regulations, Iongi cannot receive a playing suspension solely on the basis of the breach notice itself. Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the NRL are not allowed to reveal the punishment for Iongi before the five-day period, in which he is able to respond, has elapsed. The star fullback, who is on a long-term contract with the blue and gold, is not expected to be suspended, but will likely face a monetary penalty with a suspended ban that would be activated if there are any further incidents added to his record.
The parliamentary debate underscores a growing public perception that the NRL's response has lacked proportion. For a 22-year-old at the height of his career, the reputational damage alone carries substantial weight, especially when the substance in question remains unidentified and the images' provenance murky.
Iongi and the Eels will work through the formal integrity process in the coming days, but the fact that state MPs felt compelled to advocate for the player suggests the community view on this matter may not align with the league's approach.