Dunley to play on Sunday

Manly hooker Shayne Dunley tonight won his appeal against a four match suspension for spitting and will play against Penrith at Brookvale on Sunday.

Dunley won an appeal chaired by Chief Justice Sir Lawrence Street at NRL headquarters.

In a week of perserverence by the Manly club the Sea Eagles refused to accept that Dunley was guilty of deliberately spitting at or on Parramatta hooker PJ Marsh last Friday night at Parramatta Stadium.

Dunley produced a character reference from Parramatta coach Brian Smith to support his appeal.

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler,executive chairman Paul Cummings and football manager Peter Peters supported Dunley at the hearing.

An elated Dunley thanked his club for believing in him.

"? have faith in the justice system and I knew in my heart I was innocent - I play it hard but I am not a deliberate spitter. "? never once denied spitting but I didn't spit at PJ Marsh.I have a medical condition which has been supported by an operation last year that forces me to spit more than the average player. "The support of my club has been massive - they engaged the best legal support team a player could hope for. "? would also like to thank my former coach Brian Smith and the Parramatta club for their professional approach to the issue,"Dunley said.