ARL to aid clubs hurt by drug saga ARL Commission chairman John Grant has praised the way new chief executive Dave Smith has handled the code's reaction to the drug and match-fixing scandal that has enveloped Australian sport and says the game will do whatever it can to support any NRL side damaged by the saga. In a wide-ranging interview to mark the commission's first anniversary, Grant also endorsed the sport's drug-testing regime and revealed the game had planned to set up an integrity unit long before the recent dramas, which began with the Australian Crime Commission's report into drugs, match-fixing and organised crime. Smith has been dealing with the fallout from the ACC report, and subsequent Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation since he stepped into the top job on February 1. At times, his administration has been criticised for failing to publicly support its clubs and provide further details of the allegations levelled at the sport. To a large extent his hands have been tied by the secrecy surrounding the ACC and ASADA investigations. "He has been put in a legal position (where) if he discloses that confidential information, he either goes to jail for 12 months or gets fined $50,000 personally," Grant said. It's serious stuff. That's the way it's been put to us - that it is very serious. I think the criticism that has been levelled is through a lack of knowledge. One of the things Dave, his team and (an) external team is doing is trying to clarify what the actual steps forward are. We're doing that in discussion with ASADA, the ACC and with our clubs. I think the response has been as terrific under the circumstances as it possibly could be. Dave, he got introduced to this one day before he started his job, (and he) has done an absolutely fabulous job in a very, very difficult situation in the position he has been put in. The ACC report has also taken its toll on the clubs. Cronulla has been among the hardest hit. The Sharks lost a potential ground sponsor and appear likely to enter the season without a major or sleeve sponsor, costing the club upwards of $1 million. Grant confirmed talks had been conducted with Sharks chairman Damian Irvine and other club officials in recent days. Are we concerned about our sponsors and stakeholders? Of course we are," Grant said. Are we talking to them and trying to keep them in the loop as best we can? Of course we are. Are the clubs talking to their sponsors? Of course they are. I don't think there is any lack of understanding of the significance of the implication of this within the commission or within the clubs. In terms of particular situations, we're working with Cronulla on that very issue. We have had conversations with people in the Cronulla team plus the chairman over the last couple of days. We're very sensitive to doing whatever we can, remembering people's responses at the moment are being based on a lack of information. I think our responsibility is to make sure there's enough information that is accurate out in the public arena as is possible all the time. Asked whether the commission could dip into its cash reserves to help clubs, Grant said it would do whatever was necessary to ensure they were sustainable. "I think that applies irrespective of this issue or any other issue," Grant said. One of the most significant outcomes since the ACC report has been the commission's plan to fast-track the implementation of its own integrity unit. Grant revealed the commission had intended to form an integrity unit before the ACC report came to prominence. "We had a plan in this year's organisation to put in place that integrity unit," Grant said. This has been accelerated. We're going to get out of this a more complete integrity unit.