Brad Fittler's Auckland Nines comeback faces NRL obstacle due to doping code
TODD BALYM
The Courier-Mail
January 12, 2014 12:00AM
SYDNEY Roosters legend Brad Fittler could be banned from playing in the Auckland Nines because his comeback is in breach of the NRL's anti-doping policy as a "returning athlete''.
With more than $2m prizemoney up for grabs and tight guidelines about the quality of talent each club must provide, the NRL know they cannot afford to mess around with player eligibility in the first year of a five-year tournament plan.
After placing serious demands on NRL clubs to provide at least one top five player and 12 of their top 25 salary-capped players, organisers know rival clubs will closely monitor the use of former players.
Any exemptions from the agreed requirements would almost certainly result in rival clubs seeking to reduce the level of players they provide for an event just four weeks before regular season kick off.
Auckland Nines tournament director Nathan McGuirk is expected to rule on Fittler's eligibility when he returns from annual leave next week, but News Limited has uncovered serious obstacles that could block the return of the premiership-winning Roosters captain.
Fittler retired 10 years ago but has been lured into a comeback to help the premiers with numbers as they prepare for the World Club Challenge the weekend after the Nines.
The 41-year-old recently said he would make himself eligible for the NRL-sanctioned event by signing a standard contract valued at just $1.
But contracts include acceptance of the NRL's anti-doping policy, as set out by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency.
Under item 95 of the policy Fittler must advise ASADA of his intention to return to competition because he was an "international-level athlete'' when he retired in 2004.
The policy says the athlete may not compete in competitions or events which are subject to the anti-doping policy until six months from the date of the reinstatement request for all national competitions and events, or three months for other competitions and events.
It is a rule demanded by the World Anti-Doping Authority, with Australia's Olympic swim star Ian Thorpe serving a nine-month wait before he was allowed to race at anything more than an intra-club time trial in his 2012 comeback.
The Auckland Nines begins in five weeks, so Fittler would have needed to lodge his application with ASADA last November to be eligible.
There is a clause which says the NRL "may abridge or extend the time period in our absolute discretion in circumstances that we consider warrant special treatment'', but given the current ASADA investigation engulfing rugby league it may not be prudent to make exemptions for the sake of publicity.
McGuirk has discussed Fittler's eligibility with the Roosters but will wait for a formal application from Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan before making a ruling.
"We have had initial discussions with the Roosters but have yet to receive a formal application from the club,'' McGuirk said.
"However Brian Canavan has indicated the Roosters will be making an application on Monday.
"Once the NRL receives an application for Brad Fittler or any other player being speculated about, a thorough review process will be undertaken before any decision is made.''
