While it\u2019s been widely understood the AFL has been compiling similar lists in recent seasons, this is the first time the NRL has been publicly linked with similar activity.<\/p>\n
As part of a broader enquiry into the effectiveness of Australia’s National Anti-Doping Scheme chaired by Josh Burns MP,\u00a0 senior SIA officials were questioned about the way testing is conducted\u2014and often highly targeted through covert intelligence gathering\u2014within Australia\u2019s major sporting codes.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fine line between providing names and context to names and maintaining privacy and confidentiality of intelligence, essentially, or information sources behind why that name may appear on a list. That\u2019s the balance,\u201d SIA chief executive Dr Sarah Benson<\/a> explained of the way athletes are often targeted using \u2018inside information\u2019 within the AFL and NRL.<\/p>\n MORE:\u00a0Storm star Eliesa Katoa ruled out for entire 2026 NRL season amid injury update<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cOnly the NRL and AFL have provided names for possible target testing in a specific \u2018list\u2019 format (as opposed to providing intelligence through other singular one off sources such as email, phone, or SIA anonymous tip-off lines),\u201d Sport Integrity Australia revealed in an accompanying submission to the enquiry.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also actively seek input from government funded sports to identify athletes and cohorts suitable for testing.\u201d<\/p>\n The revelations follow an NRL season that saw the issue of illegal substances thrust into the spotlight when an investigation by Queensland police saw South Sydney hooker Brandon Smith\u00a0charged with supply of drugs<\/a> following an incident on the Sunshine Coast that also involved Sydney Roosters<\/a> forward Victor Radley.<\/p>\n Radley was not charged with any offence, but was later banned by the Roosters for 10 matches.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n