NRL 2017: Newcastle Knights player Jarrod Mullen given four-year ban for anabolic steroid use

Newcastle Knights’ five-eighth Jarrod Mullen has been handed a career-killing four-year ban by the NRL after testing positive to anabolic steroids.

The 30-year-old who played one State of Origin match and was once considered the heir apparent to league Immortal Andrew Johns at the Knights, was handed the suspension by the NRL on Wednesday.

The NRL’s anti-doping tribunal, which was chaired by former High Court judge Ian Callinan QC, found that Mullen had used Drostanolone, a form of steroid.

The playmaker had suffered a series of injuries in recent years.

He was provisionally suspended by the NRL after an initial test came back positive on January 17.

His four-year ban was backdated to that date and will expire on January 16, 2021.

The Knights released a statement following the NRL announcement.

“As we have said all along, this has been a disappointing matter for all parties,” Knights CEO Matt Gidley said.

“We wish to reiterate this matter took place independently of the Club.

“It is important to acknowledge Jarrod made a significant contribution to the Club over a long period of time and that adds to the disappointment in how he now departs the Club.

“We wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

Mullen made his NRL debut in 2005 and scored 39 tries in 211 career matches. 

Mullen, who challenged the initial ban, has 21 days to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.