- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding South Sydney duo Dylan Walker and Aaron Gray being rushed to hospital for a drug overdose early on Tuesday.
NSW Ambulance confirmed both players were found in a critical condition at Gray’s apartment in Rosebery, but have since been stabilised.
It has been reported that Walker had an adverse reaction to painkilling drugs Oxycodone and Tramadol after undergoing post-season surgery last week while it was unclear how Gray came to be unwell.
NRL chief executive Dave Smith said the integrity unit would launch its own inquiry into the incident, but that the players’ welfare was of their utmost concern.
“Souths called the integrity unit this morning,” Smith said.
“(Integrity Unit chief) Nick Weeks is aware what’s going on, and of course, the number one priority is the welfare of these two young men.
“Any questions that need to be asked will be asked should they need to be.”
Smith was careful not to link Tuesday’s incident to illicit drugs, but re-emphasised the NRL had a strong drugs testing policy.
“There’s a very heavy expectation on our players, and we’ve demonstrated when things go wrong from time to time, there’s serious consequences that can affect your playing career,” he said.
“First it’s about confidential support, second time there are more significant consequences.
“I’m very confident with our policy, both for performance-enhancing and any other form of recreational or prescription drugs.”
The Rabbitohs, who were eliminated by Cronulla in the first week of the finals, said they were monitoring the situation.
Walker, 20, played four games for Australia after playing a starring role in the club’s breakthrough premiership win last year.
Gray, 21, made his first grade debut this season and scored seven tries in 12 matches, earning himself a two-year extension at Redfern.
The Rabbitohs duo were on painkilling medication after undergoing post-season surgery last week.
Lee was careful not to say that the players had overdosed on painkillers.
“What we’re saying is they were prescribed a level of medication, and this is medication that’s not taken for fun,” he said.
“This is medication that is taken for pain, and it is becoming clear that they took too much of that medication.
“I’m not going to use emotional words. I’m not a medical professional, to give you the right medical term.
“We’ll need to know what the toxicity information is at it becomes available.”
The police have already begun investigations on the incident, while the NRL have also indicated that their integrity unit would look into the matter.
Early toxicology reports indicate there was no use of illicit drugs, while Lee also believed alcohol was not consumed on the night prior to their admission to hospital.
It had been reported that Walker had an adverse reaction to painkilling drugs Oxycodone and Tramadol, but Lee could not confirm which prescription drugs either player had taken.
“It would appear that both players were prescribed painkilling medication by their specialists, so that is still a matter that is currently … we’re conducting our enquiries, and we hope to know more about that in the next 24 hours,” Lee said.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.