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'Genuine remorse': NRL star cops big fine over Mad Monday saga

Shaun Lane has been slapped with a fine of $17,500 after a week of controversy following the surfacing of an old photo on social media.

The Eels - fresh from the club’s finals-clinching win - confirmed on Saturday that they and the NRL had finalised their investigation into the matter, with Lane accepting the punishment.

Lane has been in the headlines all week after an image emerged of him holding a plastic bag with a white substance, believed to be taken last year while he was at Manly.

"Shaun has accepted responsibility and demonstrated genuine remorse for his actions," the Eels said.

"The club is working closely with him to ensure he has a clear understanding of the club's professional standards.

"The club will continue to provide Shaun its full support."

Lane's photo had prompted debate over the future of Mad Mondays, after a drama-ridden end to last season for the NRL.

Eels forward Shaun Lane has shown remorse over the Mad Monday controversy.
Shaun Lane copped a hefty fine over an incriminating Mad Monday photo. Pic: Getty

NRL boss Todd Greenberg on Wednesday warned players would be given a "whack" from the game if they misbehaved again this off-season.

Meanwhile Lane brushed aside any overhanging issues from the scandal, scoring a try against the Gold Coast on Friday night as the Eels wrapped up their finals spot.

Moses inspires finals-clinching win for Eels

Mitchell Moses provided the composure on Friday night, setting up three tries with kicks to create the decisive buffer and assure their finals spot with three rounds to play.

The visitors also keep alive their top-four hopes but it means a record eighth-consecutive loss for the Titans, who are all but assured of their second wooden spoon.

Arthur praised the leadership of Moses but was filthy with the Eels' lack of patience when things weren't clicking in the first half.

"That's probabaly our most ill-disciplined performance that we've put in this year ... not good enough," the coach said.

"(But Moses was) all about the team. He probably ran more tonight, but the opportunities presented and that composure just filters through the group."

Two Moses bombs and a grubber seemed to have an otherwise improved Titans defence spellbound, with the hosts either spilling their efforts to catch or not attempting at all.

Lane was the benefactor on one occasion, allowed to catch a bomb unchallenged five metres out before burrowing over.

The Eels beat the Titans to seal their place in the finals.
The Eels celebrate during their win over the Titans. Pic: Getty

Moses darted down the right side to put Waqa Blake away. It was the No.7's 29th try assist of the year for a 24-6 lead.

Earlier, Daniel Alvaro scored his first try in almost two years, Brad Takairangi palming back a bomb that eventually found the bustling forward.

Alvaro was promoted to start when Junior Paulo (ankle) was scratched late, while the Titans also shuffled their pack with Jarrod Wallace missing after the mid-week birth of his daughter.

Former NSW State of Origin hooker Nathan Peats started at lock and proved effective alongside No.9 Mitch Rein as the pair combined for 47 first-half tackles.

That allowed them to steady despite Moses' constant aerial threat and Brian Kelly's try meant it was 12-6 at the break.

But Lane's soft try quickly turned the contest in the Eels' favour. It capped a turbulent week during which the forward was investigated by the NRL after photos emerged of him appearing to hold a plastic bag containing a white substance.

"For what offered so much hope or promise in that first 40 minutes ended up a little disappointing in the end," interim Gold Coast coach Craig Hodges said.

"We'd worked so hard at the front of defensive sets ... just let ourselves down on our kick defence."