Clubs to introduce uniform drugs
policy

NRL clubs are set to introduce a uniform illicit drugs policy similar to the AFL's.

A draft policy was put forward at today's chief executive's meeting in Sydney to introduce an across-the-board three-strikes policy for players failing in-house club testing of drugs deemed non-performance-enhancing.

NRL chief executive David Gallop says he's keen to have the policy in place before the start of the 2007 season and has asked clubs to respond by January. Gallop says players failing tests would undertake mandatory counselling and fines for first and second offences, and for a third offence could face suspension or have their contracts ripped up.

As with the AFL's three-strikes policy, the name of the player would remain confidential for first and second offences.