Rugby League: West Tigers drugs pair suspended

West Tigers pair Craig Field and Kevin McGuinness were suspended for six months in Sydney last night after being found guilty before the National Rugby League drugs tribunal of using stimulants.

Field, who tested positive to cocaine, and McGuinness, who returned positive samples to ecstasy, had their suspension backdated to March 12, the date they stood themselves down following confirmation of positive A samples.

The lengthy bans will mean they will miss the rest of the 2001 season.

They were tested by the Australian Sports Drug Agency at a pre-season training session on February 12, two days after the Tigers' black-tie season launch at Sydney's Star City casino.

Both players refused to speak after the NRL tribunal's decision was handed down but West Tigers chairman John Chalk said they would appeal against the severity of the fine.

"On behalf of the club I'm extremely disappointed with that decision," Chalk said.

"The legal representatives of the players will make statements at the end of the week in regard to dealing with that decision."

Although cocaine and ecstasy are not performance-enhancing they are on the NRL's list of banned drugs and carry an automatic ban of between 12 weeks and two years.