NRL: Kennedy issued with doping notice

Martin Kennedy (centre) faces a two-year ban from league. Photo / NZPA / Wayne Drought

The NRL has issued Sydney Roosters prop Martin Kennedy with an infraction notice as part of Asada's probe into league.

The game's governing body released a statement last night saying the 26-year-old has been issued with a "Notice of Alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violations under the NRL's Leagues Anti-Doping Policy."

Kennedy faces a two-year ban from league.

"The notice alleges that Mr Kennedy breached the policy through the possession and attempted use of banned substances," the NRL said in the statement.

"The NRL will not be making further comment until Mr Kennedy has had the opportunity to respond to the NRL."

Meanwhile, the NRL has conceded Johnathan Thurston was put at an "unacceptable risk of injury" in an ugly tackle by Beau Scott, despite the Newcastle back-rower avoiding suspension for the contentious hit.

The Knights' borderline defensive tactics on North Queensland playmaker Thurston on Saturday have earned the ire of many in league, including Cowboys coach Paul Green.

Cameron Smith weighed into the debate, claiming there was in increasing trend towards playmakers being illegally targeted in the NRL.

Yesterday NRL match review co-ordinator Michael Buettner described Scott's tackle on Thurston, which left the representative pivot with a black eye, as "dangerous".

But the former first grade five-eighth said the tackle didn't warrant a dangerous throw charge.

"One of the crucial elements of a dangerous throw is that there needs to be elevation and from the footage you can see Thurston has one of his feet down on the ground at all times," Buettner said.

"Still it was considered dangerous and there was an unacceptable risk of injury to player Thurston, therefore a grade one dangerous contact [charge] was applied."

Director of football Michael Hagan continued to defend Newcastle's controversial tactics on Sky Sports Radio.

"I think it is a physical sport and someone like JT who plays right in the line as a ball player, that is what has made him such a great player, [you want] to put pressure on him from the inside with no intent other than to make him play early so you know what is coming," Hagan said.

- AAP