Brent Naden cocaine penalty: NRL issues $5,000 fine to Penrith star

The NRL is set to come under fire for the, arguably soft, penalty handed down to Penrith star Brent Naden for cocaine use.

Penrith Panthers centre Brent Naden. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Panthers star Brent Naden has escaped with a paltry $5000 fine for using cocaine on the night before last year’s grand final.

The Penrith centre also broke strict biosecurity protocols by having visitors to his house and using the illicit drug — but won’t miss a game.

It continues the NRL’s hopelessly soft penalties on player indiscretions.

Naden was tested after the grand final and returned a positive result.

Under new WADA rules, Naden booked himself into a rehab facility after the grand final to qualify a reduced four-week ban, which he could serve during the off-season.

The NRL will argue Naden didn’t break a public health order.

He told the integrity unit he had a poor captain’s run on the day before the game and didn’t expect to play in the decider after being named on the bench.

The NRL has found no evidence the Panthers were aware of the situation before the grand final after interviewing members of their coaching staff.

The NRL has fined Brent Naden of the Panthers $5,000 for cocaine use. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Naden is now back in full training at Penrith and is available for selection in round one of the competition in the second week of March.

The NRL will no doubt come under fire for the soft penalty.

To use cocaine alone has cost players two-year suspensions in the past, never mind the biosecurity breach on the night before the biggest game of the year.

Yet he won’t miss a game and escapes with a $5000 fine.