It has cast a shadow over the NRL ahead of Sunday’s grand-final – but former team-mate Johnathan Thurston insists James Segeyaro’s mental health should be the code’s immediate priority.
Brisbane Broncos rake Segeyaro was on Thursday informed he returned a positive A sample for the banned substance di-hydroxy LDG-4033.
The off-contract former Dally M Hooker of the Year was subsequently provisionally suspended by the NRL and stood down by the Broncos.
Australian swimmer Shayna Jack tested positive to the same substance in July.
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According to The Courier Mail, Broncos management warned the entire playing squad about the use of performance-enhancing drugs after Jack was sent home from the FINA World Championships in disgrace.
Segeyaro is currently holidaying in Europe and will complete his vacation before returning to Australia next week.
“It’s not great but first and foremost we need to check on his well-being and his mental health now,” Thurston said on Friday.
“Because he just started to get his football back in check with the Broncos and this is a huge blow to him mentally, so hopefully he’s getting all the help that he needs.
“But it’s not a great look for the game and it’s a shame it’s come out this week of the grand-final.
“… He made his debut at the club I played at (North Queensland Cowboys) and I’ve watched him grow and he’s a likable character, people love playing alongside him.
“So like I said we just need to make sure that his mental well-being is good and hopefully he can come out the other side of it.”
Segeyaro, who does not have an NRL contract for 2020, will reportedly maintain his innocence and told Broncos officials he was shocked by the news of his positive A sample.
A veteran of 154 NRL games for the Cowboys, Penrith, Cronulla and the Broncos, the livewire hooker’s rugby-league future now hangs in the balance.
Thurston added: “We don’t know what’s going on with each individual and what they’re going through and what they’re putting themselves into so like I said the mental well-being we need to watch now.
“There’s been a lot of criticism of many players throughout the year and you don’t know the effects that has on players’ well-being.”
