Melbourne Storm chief Justin Rodski has revealed he doesn't know the nature of the white substance seen with Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith in the controversial video - and neither do the players as they were too intoxicated.
Munster, Smith and team-mate Chris Lewis were hit by the NRL with fines totalling nearly $50,000 and single-match suspensions each following the party video which surfaced last week.
The trio were also hit by separate punishments from the Storm, which included further suspended fines, removal from leadership groups and other conditions such as rehabilitation.
However, during a fiery press conference where the players apologised for their actions, Rodksi admitted he didn't know what the white substance was and confirmed the players weren't drug tested when questioned by Courier Mail journalist Pete Badel on the club's handling of the issue.
"I don’t know what it was," Rodski said. "Because I wasn’t in the room."
"The club is not permitted to drug test the players. Drug testing is done by the NRL, that is part of the players’ CBA in association with the RLPA.
"So to say the club’s response to this is an embarrassment is a really poor reflection on you (Badel) and that you haven’t been listening to what we’ve been talking about today.
Earlier in the press conference, Rodksi said: "No I don’t believe they were (drug tested).
"The NRL’s testing policy, which covers illicit and hazardous drugs, does not extend into the players’ off-season, so that would be one reason why.
"But apart from that you would have to ask the NRL.
When asked about the players' stance on not remembering what the white substance was, Rodksi said: "I believe [the players] were incredibly intoxicated (from alcohol)
"The vision was really difficult to look at and watch. We are extremely disappointed they put themselves in that position."
