Editor’s view: NRL players must be held to a higher standard

There is no doubt the NRL has one of the most stringent drug testing policies in sport – as it should – because part of playing means you have to be held to a higher standard, writes the editor.

Ezra Mam, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

There is no doubt the NRL has one of the most stringent and diligent drug testing policies in Australian sport – and one that allows certain players to be target-tested if there are particular concerns raised.

The league is obviously deeply committed to its duty of care to the players its clubs employ, and who millions of fans lookup to.

We have seen in how Broncos star Ezra Mam has been sanctioned – and just as importantly supported – since he caused a car accident late last year while driving unlicensed and with cocaine in his system that the balance struck is a decent one.

All that said, it is a massive story that a clear majority of the more than 50 experienced player agents surveyed by CODE Sports say that drug use is a problem for the NRL.

The scene after Brisbane Broncos player Ezra Mam was involved in a two-vehicle traffic crash at Bardon, in 2024. Photo: 9 News.

These are people who are among those that know the players best. That 62 per cent say drug use is an issue demands a formal response from the NRL – if only to assure the fans that they are all over it.

We acknowledge that just being concerned about drug use does not necessarily mean that the player agents think it is widespread. But their responses are their responses.

Further, that 75 per cent of those managers believe gambling is a problem among players should also be a source of concern for the NRL.

These are young men with high disposable income. Neither of these findings would be a shock if it was a survey of another group of young men of similar means. But part of playing NRL means you have to be held to a higher standard.