NRL not in position to sanction others

NRL boss David Smith says his organisation doesn’t possess any information that would lead it to sanctioning clubs other than Cronulla.

The preliminary findings of the NRL review at the Sharks found the club had breached the Code of Conduct in several respects.

Head coach Shane Flanagan and former head of strength and conditioning Trent Elkin were deemed responsible for a number of the failings that led to breaches.

The NRL proposed Flanagan’s registration be suspended for 12 months – cut to nine if he meets certain stipulations – and that Elkin, who has since moved to Parramatta, have his registration cancelled.

While the Sharks were at the centre of the Australian Sports Anti-Doing Authority’s investigation over possible use of banned drugs in the 2011 season, five other NRL clubs were named in the Australian Crime Commission’s report into organised crime and drugs in sport.

They were Manly, Newcastle, Penrith, Canberra North Queensland.

“We’ve discussed and gone and met every other club and we understand the processes that they go through and the policies they have in place,” Smith said.

“Based on where we are today our focus has been very much obviously on Cronulla and that’s where we are.”

Tuesday’s announcements shed no further light on the Sharks players, of whom around 14 were believed to have been interviewed by ASADA officials over the alleged use or distribution of banned substances.

Rugby League Players Association chief executive David Garnsey said players should not be held accountable for the actions of the club or officials, describing the findings of the NRL as “shocking”.

“They portray an employment environment where a cavalier approach was taken to the health and safety of players and that is unacceptable,” Garnsey said in a statement.

“The review has alleged a litany of breaches and raises serious questions as to whether players should be accountable for the failings of their employer.

“We believe they should not.”