Young Cronulla Sharks player caught up in NRL cocaine scandal

THE Sharks have been rocked by another cocaine scandal with young star Jess Savage charged with possession of 1.4g of white powder — allegedly believed to be cocaine.

• SCANDAL 1: Kenny-Dowall to take hair follicle test

• SCANDAL 2: Keogh: ‘I don’t have a drug problem’

• SCANDAL 3: Sorry Bromwich pays price for drug scandal

• SCANDAL 4: Proctor stands down over drug claim

THE Cronulla Sharks have been rocked by another cocaine scandal just 72 hours after chairman Damian Keogh was charged with drug possession.

Holden Cup player Jesse Savage was charged with possessing 1.4g of white powder, believed to be cocaine, after his arrest in the early hours of Sunday morning outside Fusion nightclub in Cronulla.

The highly regarded young footballer suffered a season-ending knee injury in round three of the competition in March.

Cronulla Sharks youngster Jesse Savage.

Former Cronulla chairman Damian Keogh. Picture: John Grainger

The incident is another blow to the image of the club, which spent the weekend placating worried sponsors after Keogh’s arrest for drugs possession at a pub in Woolloomooloo on Friday night following a long lunch.

The 55-year-old fronted the media on Monday for the first time since his arrest.

“No I don’t have a drug problem, people who know me know this isn’t me, it’s not what I’m about,” he said.

Sharks chairman Damien Keogh fronted the media on Monday. Picture: John Grainger

“I’m very fortunate to have a great family who are very supportive … they know who I am and what I stand for.”

“It’s obviously been a very distressing time personally and for the family; just been bunkering down and trying to register things.”

Keogh said he stood down as Sharks chairman to distance them from the issue.

CCTV allegedly showing Cronulla Sharks chairman Damian Keough at Bells hotel where he was arrested for cocaine possession

Keough has denied having a drug problem.

“The club’s in great shape and they’ll move forward, just see how things go,” he said.

“It’s been a very challenging weekend but it gives me a greater appreciation of what a lot of our players go through when they have issues.”

The former pro-basketballer and Olympic representative is chief executive of cinema chain Hoyts, which did not respond to calls about the arrest yesterday.

Keogh during the 2016 Cronulla Sharks Grand Final lunch at Cronulla Leagues Club. Picture: Brett Costello

Damian Keogh leaves his Lillian Pilli home to meet with media. Picture: John Grainger

Meanwhile Cronulla have informed the NRL’s Integrity Unit about the Jesse Savage crisis and started its own ­investigation.

“The club is aware of the situation and is conducting our own investigation,’’ a club spokesman said.

Police confirmed the Savage incident in a statement to The Daily Telegraph. “About 1am yesterday (Sunday), police were called to a licensed premises on Cronulla St, Cronulla and spoke to a 20-year-old man,” the statement read.

Jesse Savage (right) will face court in June after allegedly being found in possession of cocaine.

“Police had cause to search the man and allegedly located two small resealable bags containing 1.4g of a white powder, believed to be cocaine. The items were seized, and will undergo forensic examination.

“The man was issued a field court attendance notice charged with possess prohibited drug.

“He will appear at Sutherland Local Court on Thursday, June 1, 2017.”

Police sources said that Savage was seen acting suspiciously by security inside the Fusion nightclub at Cronulla and police were called to the premises.

Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club.

It is claimed that staff saw what they believed to be drugs being handed to Savage by an unidentified person inside the club.

Before signing with Cronulla, Savage played for the Brisbane Broncos and the Gold Coast Titans.

His contract is up at the end of this season and the Sharks will make a decision on his future once he has been to court.