NRL don’t like Mad Mondays

THE NRL has warned the 16 clubs of an unprecedented Mad Monday crackdown on alcohol, drugs and player misbehaviour.

Almost 12 months after Cronulla Sharks grand final hero Ben Barba was caught using cocaine during the team’s premiership celebrations, the boss of the NRL integrity unit Joe Collins emailed all chief executives yesterday.

About 240 players from the clubs that miss out on finals football will spend Monday on the booze at various venues across Sydney, the Gold Coast, Auckland and Canberra.

Apart from the Barba incident at Cronulla, banned Wests Tigers centre Tim Simona revealed about nine of his teammates had used cocaine on a Mad Monday cruise.

Collins addressed the 16 chief executives at a meeting on Wednesday before firing off his email yesterday afternoon.

“Players should be particularly aware that they are subject to testing in the period immediately following their team’s elimination from the NRL competition,” he wrote.

“End-of-season celebrations and the like are a risk period for players and their clubs, so please take this opportunity to remind your playing group about the NRL’s expectations and rules in relation to illicit drugs.”

Under the heading of behaviour, Collins warned the CEOs of the NRL’s stance on any player stepping out of line.

“Can I also ask that you ensure that your club has measures in place to reduce the risk of unacceptable behaviour during any end-of-season events, and that your players and staff understand the importance of adhering to the high standards of personal behaviour at these events and during the off-season,” he said.

Most clubs will hire security guards to escort their players around.

One group of players however are taking a risk by booking a private room at The Star for their celebrations.

Mad Monday is the traditional days for “nudie runs”.