Is this hypocrisy from the NRL ??

[TheBigFella]

I asked them about the difference between Marty Kennedy & the titans players & how they've been treated & received this reply today,,

Thanks for your email. We appreciate you taking the time to write to us. The NRL issued Sydney Roosters player Martin Kennedy with a Notice of Alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violations under the NRL's Leagues Anti-Doping Policy. The NRL will not be making further comment until Mr Kennedy has had the opportunity to respond to the NRL. Regarding the Gold Coast Titans players, contrary to your email, they have pleaded not guilty to the charges, and everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence and it is important we hear the detail of the charges. Given the serious nature of the charges they were also required to appear before the Titans board to explain why action should not be taken by the club under the provisions of their playing contracts. The NRL has and will continue to take a tough stance on the use of illicit and performance-enhancing drugs by players. The NRL's illicit drugs policy is recognised as the toughest in Australian sport. We conduct more tests than any other code and that makes it more and more difficult for players to beat the system. In saying all this, the fact remains that the overwhelming majority of our players are not only great athletes but great community ambassadors. Thanks again for taking the time to write to us and for your support of the game. Kind regards Brett Supporter liaison

[Johnny Tobin]

I'm amazed they responded.

[Danish]

No its not.

If Bird and the other Titans players had been issued infractions by ASADA for drug charges, they'd be stood down pending their case being heard. Given they are facing criminal charges instead, they are free to play until a verdict is handed down.

Even if they are found guilty of the charges before them, they cannot receive any drug sanctions from ASADA. They'll simply be punished by the courts, and again by the NRL. My guess would be a range of 3-12 month suspensions depending on the player (Bird will get the highest given his record).

[Bigchook]

So if Marty pleads not guilty he will be presumed innocent until a hearing and thus be allowed to play until such hearing. So when the eff is Marty going to respond to the charges is my next question.

As shit as this situation is, it's not the nrl, ASADA or the roosters fault. Marty knew this was coming and didn't inform us before signing his contract. I'm surprised he hasn't been sacked. Surely every employment contract requires some statement regarding whether there would be any foreseeable reasons as to why you may not be able to complete your duties in the future?

[2026]

They'd have a file on me

They could've saved themselves some time and just said "sorry mate, he plays for the Roosters!!!! "

[2026]

lol Auva'a pleaded guilty and was charged back in May 2014 and played the remainder of the season. Then they pull the Bird and co are presumed innocent until proven guilty card so they should be permitted to play.

[Johnny Tobin]

Aardvark will always be an embarrassment to the NRL. There is no way they can be taken seriously when they say they have to await the court case if the player pleads guilty.

[2026]

Aardvark will always be an embarrassment to the NRL. There is no way they can be taken seriously when they say they have to await the court case if the player pleads guilty.

They didn't wait for Russell Packer to have his day in court.

[ism22]

So... Kennedy has said 'no comment' whereas the others have said 'not guilty.'

I fail to see why the others are given the presumption of innocence when Kennedy isn't. My guess is that Kennedy's lawyers haven't seen the NRL/ASADA's evidence so don't wish to comment until they can show whether or not there is a case.

The others have stitched up a deal and know what the NRL knows so have said 'not guilty.'

I love the NRL's attempt to use legal teasoning.

Edit: Interesting the Fergo was sacked as soon as he was charged despite pleading 'not guilty.' The NRL need to sort their $hyt3 out IMO!!

[2026]

Is there a date set for a hearing or is he awaiting their next move?

[Spirit of 66]

Isn't the penalty for using performing enhancing drugs a 3 week suspension and a promise by the NRL never to mention it again? That's what Gallen and his mates got, isn't it?

[ism22]

Isn't the penalty for using performing enhancing drugs a 3 week suspension and a promise by the NRL never to mention it again? That's what Gallen and his mates got, isn't it?

Yeah and Gal still complains that his treatment was BS!

Is there a date set for a hearing or is he awaiting their next move?

I have no inside word but my reading of the article suggests he's basically been told 'we are alleging that you tried to use performance enhancing drugs... you can plead guilty not and have it dealt with or we can string it out.'

Sounds like he's talked to a lawyer, who (as any lawyer would do) has said 'don't say a word... let them put together a case and I'll respond to it if necessary.'

IMO the facts haven't even come out yet and ASADA's in no hurry to do anything. It's a joke really... if it was a Court matter, I could understand, but ASADA? It's an internal process that doesn't have to deal with thousands of druggies/wife beaters on a daily basis. I don't get why they take so long.

Surely they've either got proof or they don't? My suspicion is that there's a dog within the camp who has reported the allegation and ASADA have no proof, so they are now trying to get access to phone records...etc and are employing private investigators to try and catch him with dealers...etc. That is... they've sent out a notice before gathering any evidence and their approach is 'we can do this the easy way and you can tell us EVERYTHING and you'll be suspended indefinitely... or you can say nothing and we'll spend 18 months investigating you, during which time you won't be paid a cent and your (possibly final) NRL contract will expire. Your choice!' If he's got nothing to tell them then this is gonna be a long ride. If he's guilty then I'm still not a fan of the process.

[TheBigFella]

The Bombers players were last week told that they had nothing to answer for & that James Hird shouldn't have taken the 12 month suspension.But this has been in the making for 2 & a half years. So I guess Marty is own his own in pleading not guilty

[Danish]

Again guys, Kennedy's and the Titan's cases are completely different.

One is an ASADA-based investigation, which has a set procedure to be followed and agreed upon suspension periods. This includes a player being stood down from when they are hit with an infraction notice by ASADA, just as Sandor Earl was. The Sharks players were never given infraction notices as such, they simply had the case explained to them and they took an immediate deal. Kennedy is seemingly fighting his case so will be suspended until it is heard.

The Titans is a criminal matter outside of ASADA or the NRL. After the Brett Stewart debacle, the NRL has been quite consistent in not handing enforcing any punishment on such matters until their case is completed. They leave it up to the clubs to decide what to do prior to the court case.

[2026]

Yeah and Gal still complains that his treatment was BS!



I have no inside word but my reading of the article suggests he's basically been told 'we are alleging that you tried to use performance enhancing drugs... you can plead guilty not and have it dealt with or we can string it out.'

Sounds like he's talked to a lawyer, who (as any lawyer would do) has said 'don't say a word... let them put together a case and I'll respond to it if necessary.'

IMO the facts haven't even come out yet and ASADA's in no hurry to do anything. It's a joke really... if it was a Court matter, I could understand, but ASADA? It's an internal process that doesn't have to deal with thousands of druggies/wife beaters on a daily basis. I don't get why they take so long.

Surely they've either got proof or they don't? My suspicion is that there's a dog within the camp who has reported the allegation and ASADA have no proof, so they are now trying to get access to phone records...etc and are employing private investigators to try and catch him with dealers...etc. That is... they've sent out a notice before gathering any evidence and their approach is 'we can do this the easy way and you can tell us EVERYTHING and you'll be suspended indefinitely... or you can say nothing and we'll spend 18 months investigating you, during which time you won't be paid a cent and your (possibly final) NRL contract will expire. Your choice!' If he's got nothing to tell them then this is gonna be a long ride. If he's guilty then I'm still not a fan of the process.

Sounds like another way to handicap us.