Even if the Iongi photos are legitimate with alleged illicit substance use, it likely happened years ago while he was at the Panthers. It appears to be a personal smear campaign. Hopefully, we fully support Iongi. He's young and players aren't angels, but members of the public with personal agendas and seek to profit from this should also be held accountable. Interesting timing.
Jesse Bromwich (Storm), 2017 –Fine — Alleged cocaine use, Public incident, video/photo ; stood down from NZ captaincy.
Kevin Proctor (Storm), 2017 – Fine — Alleged cocaine use – Public incident, video/photo; No standalone NRL fine published; stood down from vice-captaincy.
Shaun Lane (when at Manly), 2019 — $17,500 fine + public apology — "2018 Mad Monday joke" , photos circulated of him with white powder in plastic bag; he denied any illicit substances were used.
Cameron Munster (Storm), 2021 – 1-match suspension + $30,000 fine — Alleged cocaine (white powder), Video. Went into rehab.
Brandon Smith (Storm) 2021 – 1-match suspension + $15,000 fine — Alleged cocaine (white powder), Video
Chris Lewis (Storm), 2021 — 1-match suspension + $4,000 fine — Alleged cocaine (white powder)
Reece Walsh (Warriors), 2021 — 2-match suspension + $5,000 fine — Cocaine possession, Police charge
Shaun Lane (Eels), 2021 — $17,500 fine — "Mad Monday joke" (photos circulated of him with white powder), stood down , denied any illicit substances were used.
Latrell Mitchell (Souths), 2024 — 1-match suspension + $20,000 fine — Alleged illicit substance (white powder, not officially confirmed, allegedly cocaine), Photo
Josh Addo-Carr (Dogs), 2024 — 4-match suspension — Cocaine (positive roadside test), Police oral fluid test. Contract terminated by Dogs.
Brandon Smith (Roosters), 2024 — No NRL sanctions — Alleged cocaine supply / betting-related communications, Text messages (police investigation) – No confirmed final NRL sanction published at time of reporting.
Victor Radley (Roosters), 2024 — No NRL Sanctions — Sydney Roosters, imposed a 10-match suspension (later to include rep games to cut NRL suspension in half) without pay and required a $30,000 donation to St Vincent’s Hospital (cancer research) for bringing the club into disrepute. Alleged cocaine (linked text message investigation).
Peter V'landys was appointed ARLC chairman in October 2019.
Alleged use versus possession of verified blood tests appear to change the severity of NRL sanctions.
Links to be updated later:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/10/05/walsh-munster-smith-lewis-issued-breach-notices/
https://www.nrl.com/about-us/commissioners/peter-vlandys/
https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/08/19/lane-apologises-for-mad-monday-photos-but-denies-breaking-law/
Replies
Nothing will happen if it's just a doobie. Can't prove it even was weed, plus, it's a revenge act from years ago. I'd be surprised if he even got a fine.
Yeah i don't think he will get much more then a fine and a good talking to internally. Seems a bit over the top to be suspending him and all that with this sort of situation.
He'll be fine it seems like an old picture.
Got any priors for players done for weed. I don't recall any.
Unlike weed, everything on that list is a class A. drug.
Randy, Hopefully, this will come to nothing. In the worst case, hopefully it remains in the "alleged" status, like the other 1-match suspensions, because if he publicly admits to something he could face a heavier suspension.
If V'landys is true to his "human" consideration of players, he'll also consider that Iongi told the MayDay podcast the hardest time of his life was when he moved to Sydney to the Panthers, away from his family in Brisbane. He had to work odd jobs to support himself like car washing for Volvo and renovating work (for a day!) that interfered with his training.
Most young lads get up to mischief. He's just a young kid and has a great future ahead. I'm rooting for him. He's a great kid. Humble and polite.
Alcohol - lowers inhibitions, increases risk taking behaviour, can cause dependence. Legal, celebrated, sponsors of the game, mandatory in post match dressing room.
Gambling - takes money from the vulnerable, creates dependence and addiction, links to suicide and family breakdown. Legal, celebrated, sponsors of the game and deeply integrated into the game.
Weed - makes you eat Twisties.
The fact that anyone involved in the NRL could even consider grandstanding on this "vice" given the other vices they openly promote is peak comedy.
Iongi should cop a fine for the bad tattoo and letting anyone take a picture of him having a bubblebath.
The alleged weed (which is obviously just harmless and good old legal cancer causing tobacco...👍) is the least embarrassing thing about those photos.