Penrith have sacked under-20s player Jake Galvin for his part in a vicious assault on a 77-year-old Pizza Hut delivery driver.
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Galvin, 18, and former Keebra Park High school mate Isaac Hekenui — an ex-Wests Tigers junior — were convicted of assault and robbery in Southport District Court after ordering four pizzas and then attacking Arthur Taylor to steal them.
The court was told that Hekenui punched Taylor unconscious and Galvin grabbed the pizzas, which they ate while watching the third State of Origin match in last year's series at another friend's house.
Taylor was left with a jaw injury and had a heart attack on his way to his hospital.
Galvin told police that Hekenui had complained of having no money for food and said he wanted "to find someone to rob".
Hekenui also pleaded guilty in court to two separate violent robberies in 2011 and was given three, five-year sentences, which are to be served concurrently.
Having already served 463 days in custody, he will be eligible for parole in April.
Galvin, whose barrister James McNab said was "extremely remorseful", received a 12-month suspended sentence.
The incident occurred before Galvin joined the Panthers this season on a two-year contract.
"On the basis of new information now available to the club, a decision has been made to terminate Jake's contract," a club statement said.
"Jake's behaviour and work ethic since arriving at the Panthers had been nothing short of exemplary. The Panthers wish Jake all the best with his future endeavours."
