UPDATED: Cronulla playmaker Braydon Trindall has been stood down “for the short term” after he failed initial roadside alcohol and illicit drug tests.
According to a report from The Sydney Morning Herald, the 24-year-old was breathalysed two times above the legal blood alcohol limit at 0.125 and has been charged by NSW police with mid-range drink driving.
Trindall also tested positive for an illicit substance at 9.45am on Monday morning and was also driving with a suspended licence.
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The club confirmed on Tuesday that Trindall would not train or play while the incident is dealt with by the NRL integrity unit.
“Sharks NRL squad member Braydon Trindall failed initial roadside alcohol and illicit drug tests early on Monday morning,” a statement said.
“The club has since followed the appropriate protocols within the player’s contract and CBA and continues to work with the NRL integrity unit, with the club, player and his management agreeing it is in Braydon’s best interest to not participate in games or to train for the short term, most importantly to attend to his welfare and health issues.
“Trindall reported the result of the roadside tests immediately to Sharks management, who in turn informed the NRL integrity unit.
“The matter has been referred for a court appearance in May where Trindall will face the allegations and charges levelled against him, noting that a secondary sample of the illicit drug test is yet to be confirmed.”
The five-eighth was tested just hours after Cronulla’s dominant 42-6 victory over North Queensland at Shark Park on Sunday afternoon and was subsequently charged with mid-range drink-driving while holding an expired licence.
It’s also alleged that Trindall’s roadside drug test showed cocaine was in his system.
Trindall is awaiting further test results from a more accurate oral fluid test before his court date on May 17 at Sutherland Local Court.
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Under the World Anti-Doping Code, cocaine is considered a ‘Substance of Abuse’ which is categorised as a prohibited substance. As a result, the substance is banned from being used in an in-competition environment — more specifically in the 24 hours of a game day.
A ban can also only be levelled at Australian athletes if they are tested by Sports Integrity Australia, not the Australian Federal Police.
“The NRL integrity unit was informed of an incident involving Cronulla Sharks player Braydon Trindall and is liaising with the club,” the NRL said in a statement.
Trindall made his NRL debut with the Sharks in 2020. Since then he has scored 13 tries from 57 first-grade appearances.
He was promoted to the Sharks’ starting halfback role this season after veteran Matt Moylan departed the club for English Super League side Leigh at the end of last year.