Penrith forward Clint Newton is hopeful that Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority’s (ASADA) probe into the use of prohibited substances is concluded soon to lift the cloud hanging over NRL players.
Nearly two months after the announcement of the investigation at an explosive press conference in Canberra, no players have yet been questioned by ASADA officials which has led to growing frustration about how it’s been conducted.
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan, whose club are central to the investigation with 14 players believed to be under scrutiny, admitted on Saturday after losing to Parramatta that he’s struggling to prepare for games due to the number of midweek meetings that members of his squad have had to attend with lawyers.
Letters from the NRL’s integrity unit have been sent out to 31 players ASADA wish to speak to and interviews are due to commence imminently.
And Newton, who was recently appointed as the general president of the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA), said the welfare and well-being of players caught up in the probe is vital.
“It’s obviously one of those things, that we can only really offer support to players and make sure they are looked after,” Newton told AAP on Wednesday.
“At the time there were no outlandish statements from the RLPA, but that’s because is was all very cloak and dagger and it caught everyone by surprise.”
The RLPA have employed the services of Sydney silk Andrew Coleman SC, who’ll work on behalf of the players, and Newton said his association has to make sure those under scrutiny are getting the right advice.
“That’s our No.1 focus, to make sure players have the right counsel and there’s a sounding board there if they need it,” he said.
“Clubs have employed their own legal advice. But this is there to them if they want another avenue to bounce things off.
“I certainly don’t agree with the fact a lot of players and clubs have been unfairly tarnished. But at the same time, I want a clean game.
“All this stuff will run it’s course and then we’ll see where we stand.”
