The cocaine use which contributed to Tim Simona and Ben Barba’s NRL downfalls could have been avoided with the promise of automatic two-year bans if caught, according to Paul Gallen.
Gallen is calling for the NRL to do away with the three-strikes illicit drugs policy and adopt a zero-tolerance approach – an idea that would have prevented former Cronulla teammate Barba playing in last year’s premiership.
“If they want to really deter it, make it illegal (under NRL rules),” Sharks captain Gallen told Sky Sports Radio on Tuesday.
Under the NRL’s illicit-drugs policy, a player’s first positive return in random testing will land them a suspended fine, with their identity protected.
A second positive test is punished by a 12-match suspension as in the case of Barba before his defection to French rugby union.
Third-time offenders face severe disciplinary action from the NRL.
“It’s illegal in general society. We’ve got this softly-softly approach … just make it illegal all the time,” Gallen said.
“It’s a pretty simple fix. I think it will deter people a whole lot more from taking the risk of taking it over the weekend.
“You’re going to get tested on Monday and cop a two-year ban. I think that’s a pretty simple fix but for some reason, it’s not.”
Simona was deregistered from the NRL last Friday after placing bets on more than 60 games, ranging from wagers on himself to opposition teams and players.
The disgraced former Wests Tigers centre said he had taken cocaine regularly since his introduction to the drug at mad Monday celebrations three years ago, which contributed towards his downward spiral.
But he was never caught despite being randomly tested, revealing to News Corp Australia he believed the drug would be out of his system by Monday if he took it on a Friday.
Gallen, who expressed hope Simona could rebuild his life, suggested testing should have been done more regularly.
“I can’t understand how something can be classed as performance-enhancing on match day, but it’s not throughout the week. That’s what gets me,” he said.
Silvertail47
Guest
Great idea ,, it will give many an excuse
Silvertail47
Guest
Simona defence !
Big Daddy
Guest
Some players don't need to take drugs to be dopes. Just look at the footy show.
Aaron
Guest
Sports people aren't different though. In the examples you've put forward, if a sports person took cocaine during a match thaey would be suspended from doing their job for 2 years. If a sports person is caught with cocaine they'll be arrested and processed accordingly. So, why should a sports person be treated differently when they're not at work?
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
I worked in Defence. If I took cocaine I would be fired.
Gek
Guest
Why don't government legalise these drugs and tax them. These debates will happen until the end of time and nothing will change. We tax everything else, people do use these kinds of drugs everyday, tax them like cigarettes and make some money.
db
Guest
Gallen and Flanagan have zero self awareness.
steve
Guest
" If they catch them all we wont have enough players to fill teams ". Spot on here. Cocaine use if rife amongst NRL players I have seen it first hand. Any club CEO who thinks it isn't happening is either deluded or simply doesn't care until one his players gets caught.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
If I take cocaine AT my job I will be fired. If I take cocaine on the weekend and get caught I may or may not be. Depending on when it was and how much impact it had on my job. I know at my previous job they wouldnt have been overly impressed by that, but wouldve given me a chance when youre a proven performer over a number of years.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Or maybe just go with the classic "Drugs are bad m'kay"
eels47
Roar Rookie
I disagree, Gallen is a current player who is also in the media who is paid for his opinion. I am happy for him to give his take on the drugs in sport issue. Shane Flanagan, on the other hand, would have been better off letting this one through to the keeper instead of commenting, "This is an issue for the Tigers and the NRL, I have no comment to make on it........"
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Sometimes when asked a question you are way better off answering with " no comment".
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
He's got a good point there. I knew the moment that I saw this headline that it wouldn't take long for people to jump back on the "drug cheat" bandwagon. Yep he took substances he shouldn't have, and did it with the direction of his club. He had always claimed that he did't know it was banned (or could be banned) which is no excuse. Cronulla got off lightly, if you want to see what happens when you fight the point ask Essendon (another Dank project by the way). This may just give you a glimpse into what the bloke actually thinks about drugs in sport, did you ever consider that?? As for the story I completely agree. It's illegal. If I take cocaine at my job I will surely get fired. If I carry it on my person I can get arrested and a criminal record. Why are sports people any different?? Zero tolerance should be the standard that is used everywhere, yet as pointed out there is a soft approach. "Oh he's a good bloke really, just led astray". What a load of crap. They surely know it is illegal yet take it anyway. This may actually lead into a broader perspective of attitudes towards drugs these days. It just seems to be accepted as something you do on a Friday night for a bit of fun. When did that happen?? Have I been living in a cave for too long of did I just no hang around the cool kids enough??
Big Daddy
Guest
If they catch them all we won't have enough players to fill teams. Good one ?!!!!. He couldn't have thought that up himself. The face of rugby league - god help us.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
BREAKING: Paul Gallen & Pablo Escobar to launch anti-drug campaign. Word is they have also teamed up with Stephen Dank.
Bumsy
Roar Rookie
Great idea Gal. Can it be applied retrospectively?