Mad Monday: NRL integrity unit boss warns clubs of blitz on party drugs

EXCLUSIVE: RUGBY league stars will face testing for illicit drugs after their Mad Monday celebrations, in an unprecedented NRL crackdown on wild end-of-season partying.

• NRL PLAYERS TEST POSITIVE AFTER MAD MONDAY
• SHARKS THE FIRST CLUB TO BAN MAD MONDAY

NRL clubs and players have been warned of a Mad Monday blitz on party drugs as hundreds of footy stars begin their annual end-of-season celebrations.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained a copy of an email from NRL integrity unit boss Nick Weeks to the 16 club chief executives threatening that dozens of players from the eight eliminated teams face drug tests over the next few days.

“Players should be particularly aware that they are subject to testing in the period immediately following their team’s elimination from the competition, including after end-of-season celebrations and the like,” Weeks says in the email.

A CCTV image of an incident between South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL coach Jason Taylor and one of his players David Fa'alogo during an end of season drinking session. (The Daily Telegraph does not suggest that this incident was drug-related).

After one of the worst and most embarrassing years in the code’s history with the Mitchell Pearce Australia Day incident, four players being warned for consorting with criminals, drugs, sex tapes and domestic violence allegations, the NRL has vowed to get tough on bad behaviour.

In the email sent to the clubs last week, Weeks added: “This is a risk period for players and clubs so please take this opportunity to remind players about the league’s expectations (and the rules) in relation to illicit drugs.

“Please remind your staff and playing group that players are subject to testing throughout the year whenever players are assembled or otherwise performing their duties in the ordinary course of employment.”

Weeks again mentioned the drug-testing crackdown in his address at last week’s chief executives conference at NRL headquarters.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, the NRL cannot drug-test players while they are on their annual holidays but players are not officially on leave until end-of-season reviews have been completed over the next few weeks.

However ASADA can carry out off-season tests even while the players are on holiday.

“They could turn up to a caravan park or a five-star hotel, any day, any time,” revealed one official.

The integrity unit chief has also warned clubs of their responsibilities over Mad Monday behaviour. The Daily Telegraph is not suggesting anyone is this photo is involved with illegal drugs.

Weeks attached a copy of the NRL’s drug-testing policy in the email to the clubs.

The policy states: “Players must be available for and submit to testing and sample collection at any time and be liable to any number of drug tests in any year.”

Players can be fined, suspended or sacked for returning positive results.

The integrity unit chief has also warned clubs of their responsibilities over Mad Monday behaviour.

“Please also take steps to ensure that your club has put in place measures to reduce the risk of unacceptable behaviour occurring at these events,” Weeks wrote to the clubs.

NRL clubs have beefed up security for Mad Monday celebrations in recent years.

Wests Tigers’ Robert Lui was fined $2000 and put on a two-year good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to assaulting his pregnant partner. The Daily Telegraph is not suggesting drugs were involved.

NO GOING WILD WHEN BIG KALI’S IN CHARGE

Phil Rothfield

MANLY Sea Eagles players will meet at 10 this morning at a private venue on the northern beaches.

Mobile phones and social media are banned and the venue is top secret to keep the media away.

The players have been given designated drivers. They cannot leave the premises and go out in separate groups. They are forbidden from leaving the northern beaches.

Heavyweight boxing champion and the club’s head of security Kali Meehan (pictured) will keep a watch over proceedings. Anyone playing up will be quietly escorted home.

As coach Trent Barrett told me earlier this year: “Kali is 6’ 7’’ and if he tells a player to go home to bed, they listen.

Large and in charge ... Kali Meehan, a footballer turned professional boxer / Picture: Chris McKeen

“I’m a bit old school and I don’t mind the boys having a beer but Kali will always be with them to make sure nothing gets out of hand.”

Their season is over after last night’s match against the Penrith Panthers.

It is last drinks for retiring skipper and club legend Jamie Lyon and possibly for old stalwarts Brett Stewart and Steve Matai as well.

But gone are the days when rugby league players can cut loose and party for days. Not in this era of smartphones and cameras and higher expectations on player behaviour.

Today your club’s public image is as important as your weekend results.

Originally published as Mad Monday: NRL integrity unit boss warns clubs of blitz on party drugs