The National Rugby League "has begun talking to its clubs about the prospect of pressing ahead with the Dally M Awards even if the players decide to boycott the event in protest at the slow progress of pay talks," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. While the NRL "remains optimistic" it can avert a Dally M boycott, it has reportedly begun discussing "contingency plans should the players opt to skip the event." The issue was discussed at a meeting of club execs in Sydney earlier this week. Invitations to the awards have been sent out and there is a "school of thought that rather than cancel the night in response to a potential player boycott, the game would be better served by pressing ahead in their absence." The parties met again on Thursday and further talks are planned for Friday and next week. Time, however, is "fast running out as they attempt to find some middle ground and avert industrial action." Aside from the Dally M Awards, the players' union has also discussed the prospect of boycotting next week's "get-together of captains of the finals teams" as well as other activities over the finals series (THE AUSTRALIAN, 9/1).
DRUG TESTING: In Sydney, Chris Barrett reported the NRL warned players of the risk of postseason celebrations being "marred by illicit drug use and bad behaviour." A year after rugby player Ben Barba's positive test for cocaine, NRL side South Sydney revealed it "would not be endorsing Mad Monday at all." Notice of a "testing blitz from League Central" comes as Barba prepares to make his first appearance in the code, for Super League side St. Helens this weekend, since serving a 12-match drugs ban. It also arrives as "Sydney clubs whose seasons are about to end take contrasting positions on Mad Monday," with Canterbury organizing a function for players but South's players instead booked in for medicals, de-briefs and other club-organized events "rather than given the day to let their hair down." NRL GM of Integrity Joe Collins said, "Players should be particularly aware that they are subject to testing in the period immediately following their team's elimination from the NRL competition" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 8/31).
