Official Naden has been cleared to return to training from January 1 after receiving a one-month ban

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Brent Naden drug test ban: Panthers NRL star’s punishment revealed
Brent Naden could be back training on Friday despite a positive cocaine test following the NRL grand final - but the Penrith centre isn’t out of the woods yet.

Travis Meyn

@travismeyn

December 29, 2020 - 2:46PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom



Penrith star Brent Naden has escaped a lengthy ban but he isn’t out of the woods yet with the NRL still investigating the circumstances surrounding his positive drug test.
Naden has been cleared to return to training from January 1 after receiving a one-month backdated ban following his grand final cocaine scandal.
Naden, who turns 25 on Wednesday, tested positive to Benzoylecgonine and Methylecgonine (metabolites of cocaine) from a sample collected after Penrith’s grand final loss to Melbourne on October 25.
He entered a rehabilitation program shortly before the positive result was announced and his one-month suspension will not impact on his 2021 season preparations.
However that may not be the end of the matter.

Brent Naden has copped a one-month ban. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty

Brent Naden has copped a one-month ban. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty


News Corp understands the NRL’s Integrity Unit is yet to complete its investigation into the positive test.
Despite the World Anti-Doping Authority reducing the severity of suspensions for out-of-competition and non performance-enhancing drugs, the NRL still has concerns about potential integrity issues.
The NRL is set to investigate whether Naden breached the code’s strict COVID bubble regulations to obtain the drugs.
Investigators will also quiz Penrith about the club’s knowledge of Naden’s actions and any other behavioural issues.

Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher. Picture: AAP/Joel Carrett

Penrith Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher. Picture: AAP/Joel Carrett


The investigation is not expected to be completed until the end of January before pre-season trials begin in February.
Naden’s one-month ban reflected the small concentration of illegal substances discovered which was deemed to not be performance-enhancing.
The amounts also suggested the drugs were not consumed on game day, thus being classed as out-of-competition.
“Having established that the ingestion of the cocaine was out-of-competition and not for performance enhancing purposes, Naden is sanctioned in accordance with new provisions of the incoming World Anti-Doping Code 2021 which permit a one-month period of ineligibility for qualifying athletes who also undertake an approved rehabilitation program,” the NRL said in a statement.

Brent Naden tackles Josh Addo-Carr during the NRL Grand Final. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty

Brent Naden tackles Josh Addo-Carr during the NRL Grand Final. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty


“In accordance with the WADA Code, Naden’s one-month period of suspension is backdated to the date of his provisional suspension and he will be eligible to return to training and competition on 1 January 2021.
“The sanction issued to Naden concerns the anti-doping breach only and any other related matters will be reviewed in the new year.”
Panthers CEO Brian Fletcher said Naden would return to training in the new year.
“Our club acknowledges the penalty handed to Brent Naden by the NRL in relation to his use of a recreational drug,” he said.
“Brent has come to understand the significant impact of his actions on his family, our club and the game of rugby league. He similarly understands how fortunate he is to have the opportunity to return to the NRL in 2021.
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“With the support of Panthers staff and his family, Brent continues to work through his personal issues with a view to reaching his full potential on and off the field.
“We anticipate he will return to Panthers pre-season training following the completion of his suspension.”












Wonder if this helps burton to us now?
 
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Bulldogs09

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No, but it helps Naden to us.
Why would panthers release naden when they talking about burton to centre? Surely he is rated the better centre option?
 

doggieaaron

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Not fussed on naden better options avy
 

stingray

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I dont get it, when other sportsmen get 4 years for cocaine use.

So if you take cocaine one week from a game day your sentence is way reduced?
 

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Weren't Penrith looking at trying to move him on? Maybe they had an idea he was not a choir boy after all.
 

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I dont get it, when other sportsmen get 4 years for cocaine use.

So if you take cocaine one week from a game day your sentence is way reduced?
Article claims new rules but I’m not sure
 

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I dont get it, when other sportsmen get 4 years for cocaine use.

So if you take cocaine one week from a game day your sentence is way reduced?
WADA change the rules regarding what they recreation drugs.
 

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Naden has already admitted the drug use, did it before the results of the sample came back and has already completed a recognised rehabilitation program. No need to wait for the B sample results. The "usual" suspension for NRL player using recreational drugs is 2 years (eg; Kenworthy and WSailor), but having owned up and done the program there is provision for it to only be 1 year, with 1 year suspended. Plus he can claim that the racial abuse he was subjected to pushed him into the drug use, he may even get off with less.
He did.

Go Dogs
 

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I am sure that I read (not that you can always believe the media) that he actually dosed up BEFORE the Grand Final. If so, then that is not "Out of Competition" and should result in a longer ban frankly. Not quite sure why he would dose up before such a crucial game really......
 

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I am sure that I read (not that you can always believe the media) that he actually dosed up BEFORE the Grand Final. If so, then that is not "Out of Competition" and should result in a longer ban frankly. Not quite sure why he would dose up before such a crucial game really......
Obviously not.

Sounds like a party after got out of hand.
 

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NRL 2021: Penrith Panthers centre Brent Naden stands himself down
The fallout to Penrith centre Brent Naden’s positive drug test following the 2020 NRL grand final has taken another strange turn on the eve of the season.

David RiccioDavid Riccio

@DaveRic1


3 min read
February 16, 2021 - 6:35PM




Penrith centre Brent Naden will start the NRL season in reserve grade and miss up to the first four rounds of the competition in a self-imposed decision designed to earn back the respect of his teammates.
Naden has encountered a tumultuous off-season that has included a drugs ban for cocaine use and a $5000 fine from the NRL for breaching the code’s bubble protocols on the night before the Panthers’ grand final loss to Melbourne last year.
Now, it appears Naden won’t play NRL until at least round five.
Naden was named on the bench in the grand final and was subsequently provisionally suspended on December 1 after testing positive to cocaine after the 2020 decider.
The NRL maintained that Naden’s ingestion of cocaine was out-of-competition and not for performance-enhancing purposes.


Brent Naden will start the season in Canterbury Cup. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Brent Naden will start the season in Canterbury Cup. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

In accordance with the new provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code 2021, Naden was then handed a one-month suspension.
That period was backdated to the date of his provisional suspension which meant he was allowed to go back to training and competition on January 1.
Aware that he can’t afford another indiscretion, Naden has spent the past six weeks attempting to prove both to his teammates and Penrith head coach Ivan Cleary that he’s committed to turning his life around.
And despite “training the house down”, his agent confirmed that the 25-year-old felt it was necessary to regain both he and the club’s confidence by commencing the new season in the NSW Cup.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has a selection headache. Picture: Brett Costello

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has a selection headache. Picture: Brett Costello

“This is not another penalty from the NRL, or the Panthers — this is about Brent wanting to show the people he respects most that he’s willing to do it the hard way to redeem himself,’’ Naden’s manager Allan Gainey said.
“He’s going to come back through reserve grade and while I don’t expect him to be there for too long, Brent will use it as a chance to regain his confidence and that of his peers.
“The coaching staff believe he’s in the best shape they’ve seen, so already I know that he’s in a really positive space.
“He’s off contract (at the end of this year) also and has a point to prove, so as I said, I don’t expect him to take too long to show everyone just how committed he is.’’The mutual decision by Naden and head coach Ivan Cleary is an important one given the club’s battle for positions in the outside backs.
Stephen Crichton has suffered an injury setback. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Stephen Crichton has suffered an injury setback. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal that gun Panthers centre Stephen Crichton has suffered a minor foot injury, which will impact his pre-season build-up.
While not considered to be serious, Crichton is rated only a 50-50 chance for the club’s final pre-season trial match against Parramatta on February 27.
Interestingly, Bulldogs-bound Matt Burton has been named in the centres for Penrith’s NSW Cup trial against Canterbury on Saturday.
Burton is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Penrith and the Bulldogs over his decision to move to Belmore from 2022.
The Bulldogs desperately want Burton to be released from Penrith immediately.
But in an indication from the Panthers of why they’re refusing to let the young talent go, Cleary has selected Burton at left-centre, with new recruit Paul Momorovksi named at right-centre for this weekend’s hit-out.

Matt Burton has been named in the centres for Penrith’s upcoming trial.

Matt Burton has been named in the centres for Penrith’s upcoming trial.
New recruit Paul Momirovski is a centre option for the Panthers.

New recruit Paul Momirovski is a centre option for the Panthers.


SUPERCOACH SHUFFLE
At almost $500,000, Naden was in the no-go zone for KFC SuperCoach NRL to start the 2021 season, according to Tom Sangster.
With the news Naden will miss the start of Penrith’s campaign, attention now turns to his likely replacement, new recruit Paul Momirovski, who, at CTW, is valued at just $380,000.
Momirovski has entered KFC SuperCoach bargain territory following news he will start the year at centre for the Panthers.
While he’s struggled to find a regular first grade spot over his career, Momo has always proved a KFC SuperCoach gun, averaging as high as 55 in 2019.
However, he starts 2021 at a 13-point discount on that after playing only bit-parts at the Storm last season. Watchlist.
Matt Burton is set to start in the centres for the Panthers in their first trial match against Parramatta and KFC SuperCoaches should keep an eye on him. At $341,200 he is outside cheapie territory and doesn’t scream buy. But he does carry a handy HFB-5/8 dual position, and with few standout cheapies in the halves he could be one to consider if he started the season in the backs.
 

Heckler

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NRL 2021: Penrith Panthers centre Brent Naden stands himself down
The fallout to Penrith centre Brent Naden’s positive drug test following the 2020 NRL grand final has taken another strange turn on the eve of the season.

David RiccioDavid Riccio

@DaveRic1


3 min read
February 16, 2021 - 6:35PM




Penrith centre Brent Naden will start the NRL season in reserve grade and miss up to the first four rounds of the competition in a self-imposed decision designed to earn back the respect of his teammates.
Naden has encountered a tumultuous off-season that has included a drugs ban for cocaine use and a $5000 fine from the NRL for breaching the code’s bubble protocols on the night before the Panthers’ grand final loss to Melbourne last year.
Now, it appears Naden won’t play NRL until at least round five.
Naden was named on the bench in the grand final and was subsequently provisionally suspended on December 1 after testing positive to cocaine after the 2020 decider.
The NRL maintained that Naden’s ingestion of cocaine was out-of-competition and not for performance-enhancing purposes.


Brent Naden will start the season in Canterbury Cup. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Brent Naden will start the season in Canterbury Cup. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

In accordance with the new provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code 2021, Naden was then handed a one-month suspension.
That period was backdated to the date of his provisional suspension which meant he was allowed to go back to training and competition on January 1.
Aware that he can’t afford another indiscretion, Naden has spent the past six weeks attempting to prove both to his teammates and Penrith head coach Ivan Cleary that he’s committed to turning his life around.
And despite “training the house down”, his agent confirmed that the 25-year-old felt it was necessary to regain both he and the club’s confidence by commencing the new season in the NSW Cup.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has a selection headache. Picture: Brett Costello

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has a selection headache. Picture: Brett Costello

“This is not another penalty from the NRL, or the Panthers — this is about Brent wanting to show the people he respects most that he’s willing to do it the hard way to redeem himself,’’ Naden’s manager Allan Gainey said.
“He’s going to come back through reserve grade and while I don’t expect him to be there for too long, Brent will use it as a chance to regain his confidence and that of his peers.
“The coaching staff believe he’s in the best shape they’ve seen, so already I know that he’s in a really positive space.
“He’s off contract (at the end of this year) also and has a point to prove, so as I said, I don’t expect him to take too long to show everyone just how committed he is.’’The mutual decision by Naden and head coach Ivan Cleary is an important one given the club’s battle for positions in the outside backs.
Stephen Crichton has suffered an injury setback. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Stephen Crichton has suffered an injury setback. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal that gun Panthers centre Stephen Crichton has suffered a minor foot injury, which will impact his pre-season build-up.
While not considered to be serious, Crichton is rated only a 50-50 chance for the club’s final pre-season trial match against Parramatta on February 27.
Interestingly, Bulldogs-bound Matt Burton has been named in the centres for Penrith’s NSW Cup trial against Canterbury on Saturday.
Burton is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Penrith and the Bulldogs over his decision to move to Belmore from 2022.
The Bulldogs desperately want Burton to be released from Penrith immediately.
But in an indication from the Panthers of why they’re refusing to let the young talent go, Cleary has selected Burton at left-centre, with new recruit Paul Momorovksi named at right-centre for this weekend’s hit-out.

Matt Burton has been named in the centres for Penrith’s upcoming trial.

Matt Burton has been named in the centres for Penrith’s upcoming trial.
New recruit Paul Momirovski is a centre option for the Panthers.

New recruit Paul Momirovski is a centre option for the Panthers.


SUPERCOACH SHUFFLE
At almost $500,000, Naden was in the no-go zone for KFC SuperCoach NRL to start the 2021 season, according to Tom Sangster.
With the news Naden will miss the start of Penrith’s campaign, attention now turns to his likely replacement, new recruit Paul Momirovski, who, at CTW, is valued at just $380,000.
Momirovski has entered KFC SuperCoach bargain territory following news he will start the year at centre for the Panthers.
While he’s struggled to find a regular first grade spot over his career, Momo has always proved a KFC SuperCoach gun, averaging as high as 55 in 2019.
However, he starts 2021 at a 13-point discount on that after playing only bit-parts at the Storm last season. Watchlist.
Matt Burton is set to start in the centres for the Panthers in their first trial match against Parramatta and KFC SuperCoaches should keep an eye on him. At $341,200 he is outside cheapie territory and doesn’t scream buy. But he does carry a handy HFB-5/8 dual position, and with few standout cheapies in the halves he could be one to consider if he started the season in the backs.
Spite
 
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