The NRL was hit by another drug drama on the big final day in which Canterbury striker Ofahiki Ogden was charged with possession of a prohibited substance.
Ogden’s manager informed both the Bulldogs and the NRL Integrity Department on Sunday morning that he had been in trouble overnight.
It leaves a significant dent in the front runner’s hopes of landing a new contract elsewhere after Canterbury announced it would not be re-signed.
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But a week of drug hell follows for the NRL, with Ogden now the fifth player in the eight days leading up to the decision.
“We were made aware that Ofahiki was charged and his manager brought it to the attention of the NRL Integrity Department,” said Aaron Warburton, CEO of Bulldogs.
“I can’t comment much further.”
The NRL’s big final week of horror began when Warriors youngster Reece Walsh was arrested for failing to move on from a Gold Coast nightspot last week.
The club later announced that it would be tried for possession of a prohibited substance.
Hours before the Dally Ms on Monday evening, a video appeared with Melbourne players Brandon Smith, Cameron Munster and Chris Lewis in a hotel room with white powder.
The trio is expected to face sanctions from both the Storm and NRL this week.
It also prompted ARL commission chairman Peter V’landys to warn players not to “fry your brain”.
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