The National Rugby League has "ruled out" relocating the "embattled" Gold Coast as NRL CEO Dave Smith "promised to come down hard on players bringing the game into disrepute," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The governing body is "bracing for more fallout from the drugs bust" involving former Kangaroo Karmichael Hunt and Titans players Beau Falloon and Jamie Dowling, "with up to 100 people in the crosshairs in the ongoing investigation." The drugs dramas "raise further questions about the club's long-term survival." The Titans are "already struggling financially, remain without a sponsor and are losing further ground" in the fight against the Gold Coast Suns Australian Football League franchise. Previous rugby league "incarnations on the holiday strip -- the Chargers, Giants and Seagulls -- have all folded." However, Smith said the NRL "remained committed to rugby league on the Gold Coast." Smith: "This is a key area for our game and we are determined to ensure our fans continue to have their own team on the Gold Coast." Smith said he was angry and "fed up with the minority of players damaging the image of the game." He promised the ARL Commission would take a "tough stance against any player who brought the game into disrepute, particularly those engaging in criminal conduct" (SMH, 2/22).
