Rugby league great Peter Sterling has called for harsh penalties for players found guilty of drug offences, declaring they are doing immeasurable damage to the sport.
The NRL has been rocked by a number of drug-related incidents in recent days.
New Zealand internationals Jesse Bromwich and Kevin Proctor were accused of consuming an illegal substance after last Friday’s Test loss to Australia and their compatriot Shaun Kenny-Dowall was last week charged with drug possession.
On Monday, Cronulla under-20 NYC squad member Jesse Savage was issued a court appearance notice for alleged possession of an illegal substance, two days after Sharks chairman Damian Keogh was arrested for possession of an illegal substance.
Legendary halfback Sterling feels the punishments dished out to players for their transgressions were not harsh enough, saying they “get hit with a feather.”
“The reputation of our game copped a hiding the last week,” Sterling said on Triple M show the Dead Set Legends.
“I think that the punishment should be commensurate with the damage done.
“Our old players are better educated than they have ever been, so it just doesn’t wash with me, that ‘I made a mistake (excuse).’
“I’m over it, I think 12 games first offence and then second offence, two years, performance-enhancing, four years.
“I just think that you’ve got to draw a line in the sand, the game has got to make a stand.”
Sterling said he didn’t understand the thinking behind a free first strike policy for players testing positive for drugs.
“If you ask every player who plays in the NRL whether it’s okay to take drugs, every one of them will say ‘of course not,” Sterling said.
‘”So if you get caught you know you’ve done the wrong thing, you should cop a harsh penalty because the damage it does to our brand is immeasurable in some ways.”
Asked On Fox Sports NRL 360 about whether penalties for players were sufficient, Kangaroos Test back Darius Boyd said “I think they need to be capped in a certain way.
“There’s always these different ones coming up, whether it’s a ten grand, fifty grand fine or two weeks or eight weeks.
“There needs to be a certain line in the sand.”
mattatooski
Roar Rookie
Lol .. Love it.
Greg
Guest
If there is, as Sterlo puts it, a "line in the sand", then I'm sure one of the players would snort it
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
The world of recreational drugs is moving faster than Sterlo. In the US you can now buy dope legally in an increasing number of states, Yes in Trumps gun totting U S of A. Prohibition has been proven to only cause harm and does nothing to stop recreational drugs. Time for better stategies.
joe
Guest
This is like saying implementation of a death penalty will reduce murders.They can enforce far more drastic punishment for players,often for using something that dosent benefit their on field performance.But be careful what you wish for.If you start losing marquee players for long periods,or as some suggest for life,who is going to replace them all? There's only so many players who can play at an elite level.
Steve
Guest
6 week ban first offence and the equivalent of your salary forfeited/fined and that money going into a pool for further education for all players (not just the offender). Second strike. Contract torn up. Performance enhancing - 2 years and then life.
Bamboo
Guest
Will be interesting to see over coming years how sports react to the scientific evidence that marijuana assists with concussion recovery: http://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/health/interviews/a49946/derrick-morgan-marijuana-research-concussions/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/debraborchardt/2016/07/22/nfl-to-name-new-medical-chief-bringing-hope-for-cannabis-concussion-treatment/#424287f06b0a
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I'm with Sterling on this one, it's pretty obvious that the message isn't getting through to some of these blokes. I don't condone throwing people onto the scrap heap for their first mistake, but a hard punishment is certainly needed too. At the moment the first strike is laughable, it's kept private between the club and player, with more education and counseling the worst case scenario. Make the first breach harsher and maybe some of these incidents won't happen as frequently.
The eye
Guest
I'm with Sterlo..2 weeks is an encouragement and far from a deterrent..
Steve
Guest
First strike one year Second strike life Tough? Only if you use drugs
kk
Roar Pro
Sterlo, Do not take the forgiveness card out of the pack. First and last chance only. There is one question that needs an answer. Was it the first time any of the accused have tried cocaine or illicit drugs? Spare a thought for the families of the accused. They suffer the most.
Stingray
Roar Rookie
Hi all been watching/ looking at this site for years ,finally joined ! Sorry but the NRL has been to soft on drug cheats/taker for too long , just look at what (didn't) happen to the bloke on the right of the above picture-video ,admitted to drug use and got immortalised in the game WT-!! ,but totally agree with Sterlo , they and WE all know as Adults right from wrong ,it is time to draw that line ,in the sand !