Newcastle CEO Phil Gardner has left the door open for troubled former star Jarrod Mullen to return to the club in a mentoring role in the future, declaring the Knights would never turn their back on one of our greatest ever players.
One of Newcastle's finest: Jarrod Mullen makes a run for the Knights in 2016.Credit:Jonathan Carroll
Mullen, currently serving a four-year ban for steroids that ended his NRL career in 2017, is understood to be under investigation by police in relation to an alleged drug supply syndicate in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. It follows revelations he almost died of a drug overdose at his parents home in Newcastle last December. Mullen was treated in intensive care at John Hunter Hospital before spending time in rehabilitation and has since moved to Wollongong in a bid to get his life back on track.
Gardner, who yesterday revealed Mullen is his distant cousin, described the former Knights captains fall from grace as a tragedy.
Long term, it would be great to see him back in this community and back at this club.
Knights CEO Phil Gardner
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Jarrod Mullens situation is a tragedy. Its a tragedy for Jarrod, its a tragedy for his family, and its a tragedy for the club, Gardner said. This tragedy probably has a few more acts to play out before its finished.
But while he reiterated that the four-year drugs ban had barred Mullen from having any contact with the game or the club until it expires in 2021, Gardner said there would be a place back at the Knights for the former local junior if he makes the right choices and decisions between now and then.
Concerned: Newcastle CEO Phil Gardner.Credit:Jonathan Carroll
I would love to see Jarrod back – we want him back involved with the club, Gardner said. From where the Knights sit at the moment, though, Jarrod has to serve out his four-year ban first.
Clearly, we cant have involvement with him under the rules until that ban is finished. But once that is done, we would love to see Jarrod rehabilitated and see him back involved with the club.
He can share his story with players about the ramifications of being involved with the wrong people. Long term, it would be great to see him back in this community and back at this club, because he had a great history with the club. He is one of our greatest ever players. But before that can happen, he has to be rehabilitated first. He has to be a positive influence for young people and a positive role model for our community, and thats the test for him now.
Charged: Les Mason during the arrest in December last year.Credit:NSW Police
Mullen was alleged to have used the anabolic steroid Drostanolone in an effort to return from a hamstring injury in the 2016 season.
Gardner said the club had learnt from its Read More – Source
Newcastle CEO Phil Gardner has left the door open for troubled former star Jarrod Mullen to return to the club in a mentoring role in the future, declaring the Knights would never turn their back on one of our greatest ever players.
One of Newcastle's finest: Jarrod Mullen makes a run for the Knights in 2016.Credit:Jonathan Carroll
Mullen, currently serving a four-year ban for steroids that ended his NRL career in 2017, is understood to be under investigation by police in relation to an alleged drug supply syndicate in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. It follows revelations he almost died of a drug overdose at his parents home in Newcastle last December. Mullen was treated in intensive care at John Hunter Hospital before spending time in rehabilitation and has since moved to Wollongong in a bid to get his life back on track.
Gardner, who yesterday revealed Mullen is his distant cousin, described the former Knights captains fall from grace as a tragedy.
Long term, it would be great to see him back in this community and back at this club.
Knights CEO Phil Gardner
Advertisement
Jarrod Mullens situation is a tragedy. Its a tragedy for Jarrod, its a tragedy for his family, and its a tragedy for the club, Gardner said. This tragedy probably has a few more acts to play out before its finished.
But while he reiterated that the four-year drugs ban had barred Mullen from having any contact with the game or the club until it expires in 2021, Gardner said there would be a place back at the Knights for the former local junior if he makes the right choices and decisions between now and then.
Concerned: Newcastle CEO Phil Gardner.Credit:Jonathan Carroll
I would love to see Jarrod back – we want him back involved with the club, Gardner said. From where the Knights sit at the moment, though, Jarrod has to serve out his four-year ban first.
Clearly, we cant have involvement with him under the rules until that ban is finished. But once that is done, we would love to see Jarrod rehabilitated and see him back involved with the club.
He can share his story with players about the ramifications of being involved with the wrong people. Long term, it would be great to see him back in this community and back at this club, because he had a great history with the club. He is one of our greatest ever players. But before that can happen, he has to be rehabilitated first. He has to be a positive influence for young people and a positive role model for our community, and thats the test for him now.
Charged: Les Mason during the arrest in December last year.Credit:NSW Police
Mullen was alleged to have used the anabolic steroid Drostanolone in an effort to return from a hamstring injury in the 2016 season.
Gardner said the club had learnt from its Read More – Source
