Cronulla boss Dino Mezzatesta has denied there's an issue with the culture at the Sharks, and taken aim at the length of time it took for ASADA to confirm Bronson Xerri's positive drugs test.
The 19-year-old faces a four-year ban after it was yesterday revealed his A-sample was positive for a mix of banned performance-enhancing drugs.
But Cronulla is fuming given the test was done in November last year. Two months ago the club released Josh Morris to join the Roosters, a move the Sharks said was based on salary cap pressures.
But with Xerri unlikely to play again this season, even if he's innocent, the experience of Morris would have been invaluable.
Mezzatesta said the club would likely have hung on to Morris, had they known about Xerri's situation earlier.
"It's one of the reasons we're quite disappointed in the length of time it's taken to notify not only the NRL but the club," he said.
"Things may have been completely different for us.
"Absolutely, had we been notified earlier we may have taken things very differently in our approach to our playing roster."
Mezzatesta's complaints put him at odds with former ASADA CEO Richard Ings, who told Wide World of Sports that the six month timeframe to complete the test was perfectly reasonable, and given the Christmas holidays, bushfires and COVID-19, he was "surprised it didn't take longer."
Mezzatesta was also forced to defend the culture at the Sharks, given the club was at the centre of the supplements scandal, which resulted in a host of players accepting bans during the 2014 season.
"There's no issue here at the club, and although there's a history, we've very confident with the protocols we have in place," Mezzatesta said.
"It's unfortunate that this matter has arisen for a young individual that's associated with our club, our priority now is his welfare.
"But we certainly have no concerns about our club, not at this time, and certainly not in the future."
The Sharks boss said Xerri is "shaken" and faces "a long road ahead." The club's welfare team is in constant contact with the rising star, who now faces the prospect of a ban that could destroy a promising career.
Xerri's phone was confiscated yesterday, leading to speculation others may be caught up in the drama, but Mezzatesta said the club isn't concerned.
"Naturally there's going to be disappointment amongst the ranks, but they're professional athletes and they'll just focus on the game on Saturday night," he said.
"We have nothing to fear, we have nothing to worry about, there's obviously just disappointment at this time."
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/bronson-xerri-drugs-test-cronulla-sharks-fume-at-asada-delays-josh-morris-release/edb6014c-89be-402a-bcef-15e857d56831
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