There’s using your head and then there’s this.
Parramatta Eels player Kenny Edwards is set to be banned for the remainder of the NRL season after impersonating his teammate during a pre-season drug test.
Edwards is facing a nine-month ban after it was discovered that he showed up and provided a sample, on February 24, whilst claiming to be colleague Kaysa Pritchard.
The ruse was uncovered when NRL drug testers contacted the club to confirm the test was on Pritchard. Parramatta carried out their own investigation before informing the testers that Edwards had provided the sample.
The Daily Telegraph, in Australia, believes Edwards, a 21-year-old hooker, will be banned until November. It may have been longer if ASADA officials had been carrying out the tests, not the league. The tests were for illicit drugs, not performance enhancing.
Parramatta head of communications Josh Drayton told the newspaper: ‘Both players are remorseful regarding the incident and have provided their full co-operation during the investigation period.’
‘The club notified the NRL after it was bought to its attention and we are pleased with the way the integrity unit has handled the matter.
‘While the club does not condone this behaviour, we strongly believe in looking after the welfare of our players and we will continue to provide them with assistance over the coming months.’
Interestingly, both Pritchard [pectoral injury] and Edwards [knee] are on the sidelines, long-term.
