Would Politis' “zero tolerance” drug policy work in the NRL?

Sydney Roosters chair Nick Politis has declared that he would tear up the contract of any player on his roster if they are caught using illicit substances such as cocaine.

The NRL are currently reviewing their illicit substance policy which gives a player two strikes before a club is able to suspend their player for 12 weeks or terminate their contract.

Politis told The Sunday Telegraph that he and coach Trent Robinson were in agreement that they would adopt a “zero tolerance” policy for any Roosters player caught using cocaine.

The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis agreed with Politis’ stance but believes the Roosters chair would encounter a big hurdle in the Rugby League Players association (RLPA).

“Drugs are illegal. I don’t know why we dance around this issue. There should be zero tolerance across the game,” Carayannis told SEN 1170.

“I personally don’t think you need to give a player a warning for something that is illegal.

“I’m quite happy with this stance because we don’t need to be cuddling these players. It’s not a mistake because (taking drugs) is a deliberate choice that you make.

“I’m sure that within the NRL playing contract, there is something written that says you can be sacked for taking something that is illegal.

“I can tell you what the (RLPA’s) position on this would be. They wouldn’t agree with this whatsoever.

“Having spoken to them plenty of times in the past about drug policy and the like, they wouldn’t agree with automatic sackings.

“I commend the Roosters for doing this. It’s a huge step.”

SEN’s Joel Caine said that if the Roosters were to adopt this policy and it were to be given the green light by the NRL and RLPA, it would disqualify the club from ever picking up a player found to have used cocaine in the past.

“Nick Politis clearly wants a culture piece for the Sydney Roosters,” Caine said on SEN 1170.

“Not everyone will agree with it but I certainly do.”

Carayannis asked: “Would the Roosters sign someone that’s been sacked from another club because of this?”

Caine replied: “No, you absolutely couldn’t. That’s why I like this move from Politis.”

Carayannis added: “If you take last year, Ezra Mam and Josh Addo-Carr would’ve been sacked if they were at the Roosters.”