PARRAMATTA forward Kenny Edwards was already on his final warning from the NRL when he was caught in the Eels’ urine sample switch scandal.
Edwards faces a nine-month ban — but is lucky his playing contract hasn’t been torn up — after impersonating Eels teammate Kaysa Pritchard during an NRL sanctioned pre-season drug test on February 24.
The 25-year-old’s behaviour was already being heavily scrutinised after he drunkenly punched a fan during a night out on the Gold Coast last year.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal at the time former NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle told Edwards, who is contracted to the Eels until the end of 2017, he would be kicked out of rugby league for good if he reoffended.
“If Jim Doyle was still the chief operating officer, Kenny Edwards would be finished in rugby league,” a source close to the Eels said.
Edwards was already on his last chance following an incident on the Gold Coast last year. Source: News Corp Australia
DRUG TEST DRAMA: Eels embroiled in scandal
Edwards pleaded guilty to public nuisance after the Gold Coast incident, was fined $800 and banned from the Glitter Strip for a year.
He also served a two-match ban with the Eels and lost a $60,000 third-party sponsorship deal.
Angry Parramatta chief executive Scott Seward last night labelled the urine sample swap by Edwards and Pritchard as a “dumb act with serious consequences.”
“I’m bewildered,” Seward said.
It was a rather dumb act. And it has extremely serious consequences. The intention to suspend him for nine months is harsh but it could have been a hell of a lot worse.
“I think the players are only now realising how serious this is.
“It was a mate try to help someone regardless of how misguided he was.
“The club is extremely disappointed to say the least. We will stand by him from a welfare perspective but we are not happy.”
The Eels were left embarrassed and the NRL’s drug procedures questioned after The Daily Telegraph revealed Edwards submitted a urine sample on behalf of Pritchard, the younger brother of Bulldogs forward Frank.
Kaysa Pritchard will avoid serious punishment this time. Source: News Corp Australia
In a day of drama on Thursday, it can be revealed that:
* The NRL will now demand players being drug tested to produce a driver’s licence for identification;
* Edwards will lodge a submission to the NRL on Friday;
* Pritchard and Edwards will also have to front a Parramatta disciplinary committee; and
* Pritchard will avoid serious punishment this time but is likely to face more regular tests where any further drug-related indiscretion will result in a 12-game suspension and $5000 fine.
An NRL spokesman revealed the protocols for illicit drug testing, which includes each club having an Anti-Doping Officer (ADO) present.
“The Integrity Unit supplies the pathology company (Laverty Pathology) with a list of names to be tested at each club,” he said. “The Anti-Doping Officer facilitates the process by ensuring the selected players report to the drug testing officials.
“The players have always had to sign a form saying they are the person being tested with their date of birth. Since March, we have required players to provide a driver’s licence when tested to prove their identification. If they don’t have a licence, then the ADO must take them to the tester and introduce them and confirm this is the correct player.”
The Daily Telegraph understands Pritchard will be hit with a ‘strike one’ offence whereby if he reoffends he would face a 12-game suspension.
Edwards has played 19 first grade games for Parramatta. Picture Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia
Asked about an evasion of a drug test, the NRL spokesman said: “If a player refuses or avoids taking an Illicit Drug test it goes down as a first contravention. The player is then required to undergo a rehabilitation program and is given a $5000 suspended fine.
“That player is generally tested more often from that point onwards. If they commit a second breach they receive an automatic 12-match ban, the $5000 suspended fine is invoked and their breach may be identified publicly.”
Edwards will today hand over a submission to the NRL seeking clarification of his suspension.
“He will not challenge the suspension, rather ask what he can do during the suspension. Can he stay around the club? Can he continue having rehab at the club? Can he make community appearances,” Seward said.
Further punishment by a Parramatta disciplinary committee may be limited though with Edwards already facing a long-term suspension and both players signing modest contracts. Had ASADA been conducting the drug test, Pritchard could have been suspended for a minimum of two years for failing to give a sample.
Edwards and Pritchard were not commenting on Thursday.
Replies
What i want to know is why is Prichard not in any strife, he was the one that put him up to it, shouldnt they both receive the same sentence or Prichard a bigger punishment? what am i missing here?
My exact thoughts mate.
Edwards guilty of stupidity and a bit of mateship trying to cover for Prichard. Key note, Edwards sample was clean.
Pritchard should have had his contract torn up. You don't get someone to take a urine sample for your unless your covering up for something YOU KNOW should not be in your system. Missed a perfect opportunity to get the injury prone Pritchard off the books.
Agree and Prichard has put his mates career in jeopardy by asking him to cover for him.
Poor form from Prichard who imo should be copping most of the wrap on this.
Yeah, they don't even look that similar. Did the person doing the test have no idea who they were testing or who our players are?
Is Edwards copping the NRL 9 month suspension because of his previous off-field misdemeanour?
Otherwise I can't imagine being the fall guy and taking a test on someone's behalfis a worse crime than skipping the test and putting another player up to it?
Pritchard is lucky - maybe his time will come at the Parramatta disciplinary hearing, where he can be given an internal suspension at least the same as Edwards - or we could also decide to tear up his contract.
Anyone know if Pritchard is signed for 2016?