Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) officials tested five players after the weekend’s match between Nowra-Bomaderry Jets and Warilla-Lake South Gorillas.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After the final whistle on Saturday, both teams were stopped by a number of ASADA representatives as they went to leave the field.
Group Seven operations manager Peter Mehl confirmed officials from the anti-doping agency were at the match.
“They were there doing a random, standard testing procedure, which has happened in other competitions across Country Rugby League.”
Mehl explained that the tests should come as no surprise for the clubs.
“At a general meeting earlier in the year, all senior clubs were informed of the possibility of testing being conducted this year,” Mehl said.
“And any positive tests found would be paid by the club.”
Jets captain/coach Dylan Farrell confirmed the attendance of ASADA at Saturday’s round 15 clash, which Warilla won 34-4.
“After the game, as both teams were walking off the the field, both teams were stopped by a number of ASADA representatives,” Farrell said.
“They explained who they were and that all players would be getting tested before they left the proximity.
“Both teams then waited on the field and ASADA then said only a number of players from each team would be randomly tested.
“But after five minutes, they informed my team and I that we were free to leave the ground, with not one of us needing to be tested – which I knew would be the case, because it costs $3000 per test.”
Farrell then stated five Warilla players were tested on Saturday – a statement that Gorillas captain/coach Aaron Henry did not want to confirm or deny.
Fairfax Media understands no other matches at the weekend had ASADA representatives present.
ASADA has been contacted for comment.