Jarrod Mullen appeals four-year drug ban

NEWCASTLE are considering all potential legal avenues to immediately terminate Jarrod Mullen’s $15,000-a-week contract.

NEWCASTLE are considering all potential legal avenues to immediately terminate Jarrod Mullen’s $15,000-a-week contract after revelations ASADA had recommended the veteran playmaker be banned for four years for using a prohibited substance.

The recommendation follows a six-week investigation by ASADA after Mullen returned a positive swab to the anabolic steroid Drostanolone following a routine test at a pre-season training session late last year.

Mullen, who turns 30 next month, could have accepted the ban but has opted instead to front an NRL Anti-Doping Tribunal in a last-ditch attempt to plead for leniency and have the likely career-ending penalty downgraded.

The NRL confirmed a date for the hearing before tribunal chairman Ian Callinan QC would be set within the next week.

“Jarrod had two options — he could have accepted the four-year ban or taken his case to the tribunal. He has elected to do the latter,” an NRL spokesman told The Daily Telegraph.

“When it is heard will depend on the availability of Ian Callinan QC and Jarrod’s legal representation, but a date will be set within the next week.”

Jarrod Mullen in action for the Knights last year.

It’s understood Mullen has engaged a Sydney-based lawyer who is a friend of the family to handle the case.

It is unclear on what grounds Mullen will fight for lenience but it is understood he will argue he did not administer the drug to enhance performance, but rather to aid with a persistent hamstring injury.

Mullen’s manager, Steve Gillis, did not want to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s in the hands of Jarrod’s lawyers — they’re handling it,” Gillis said.

Knights officials were reluctant to comment on the latest development and would not be drawn on suggestions the club was investigating ways to have Mullen’s $740,000-a-year contract terminated immediately.

It is estimated Mullen has pocketed about $120,000 for sitting on the sidelines since he was provisionally suspended by the NRL on January 17.

“I’m not in a position to comment,”CEO Matt Gidley said.

“We are mindful that Jarrod is going through a difficult situation right now and we have said all along we will help and assist him where we can through the process from a welfare point of view.

“Yes, the club has been made aware that Jarrod has elected to put his case to the NRL’s Anti-Doping tribunal. But any further comment on his reasons would need to come from Jarrod’s legal representative.”

Pressed further on whether termination avenues had been discussed, Gidley said: “The club will look at any possible avenue to protect the club’s best interests and will continue to do that in this regard.”

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Mullen, who played 211 NRL games for the Knights after making his debut in 2005, has been on a provisional suspension since mid-January after being tested on November 29.

He is the first NRL player to test positive to steroids since former Sydney Roosters prop Martin Kennedy was hit with a suspension of two years and nine months by the NRL in 2015.

Mullen was issued with a Notice of Alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violation by the NRL more than a week ago.