League: Mannering - Drugs problem not widespread

Simon Mannering of the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

Warriors captain Simon Mannering is adamant the drugs crisis that has engulfed the Gold Coast Titans is not indicative of a widespread problem throughout the NRL.

Mannering defended the game's reputation and insisted the NRL is not battling a drugs problem.

"I can only speak for the players I know and the players I've been involved with and I can't say that there is," Mannering said.

"I don't know what the situation is like at other clubs but we are professional athletes and obviously we are [drug] tested so you wouldn't think it was a big problem.

"If you looked at other occupations it would probably be a lot more widespread than what we have seen recently," the 28-year-old veteran of 212 Warriors appearances and 40 Kiwis tests said.

The arrests last week of six past and present Titans players, Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling, Kalifa Faifai Loa, and former squad member Joe Vickery, on charges of cocaine possession and supply, have rocked the 13-man code on the eve of next Thursday's season-opening clash between Brisbane and South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium.

And last night, former Titan and State of Origin player Ashley Harrison, 33 was charged with two counts of supplying a dangerous drug.

As well, an arrest warrant was issued for a 28-year-old identified by some media as former Titan Steve Michaels, 28, who is playing in the UK.

News of the Titans' dramas came as a shock to Mannering, but despite his great disappointment he was unwilling to condemn the men in question and lamented the fact that their profile as NRL players meant they came under greater scrutiny than average members of society.

"It's not a good look. It's not good publicity for the game, club and players, and I'm sure they are disappointed in themselves," he said.

"I can't pass too much judgment, no one is perfect, we all make mistakes and unfortunately these guys are in the spotlight.

"We've got kids looking up to us with what we do in this profession so that's probably the hardest thing with it all. If they were just Joe Blows who had a normal job we wouldn't be paying too much attention to them and the people investigating wouldn't be paying much attention to them either.

"It will be sad to see careers ended by a mistake but we'll have to see what happens."

Mannering was unable to comment on the temptations Sydney- or Queensland-based footballers confront, but said Auckland's slower lifestyle meant it was easier for players here to avoid off-field controversies.

Like all clubs, the Warriors have structures in place to educate players and ensure they understand their res-ponsibilities, and Mannering said the lessons are valuable for every stage of a career in the NRL competition.