Sports scientist a broken man: lawyer

Stephen Dank, who is at the centre of the AFL drugs scandal, has been described as a ''broken man'' by his lawyer. Source: news.com.au

Stephen Dank, who has links to several AFL and NRL clubs, at his Ascot Vale home this week. Picture: Tony Gough Source: Supplied

Australian sporting bodies will today begin examining clubs and officials for any signs of doping and match fixing.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is adamant that cheating of any form in the AFL will not be accepted and you will be caught.

THE man at the centre of the AFL drugs scandal believes he is a "sacrificial lamb on the altar of sport".

A lawyer for Stephen Dank, the former Essendon club sports scientist with links to several AFL and NRL clubs, said his client denied any and all allegations that he had administered illegal substances to athletes in the AFL or NRL.

Solicitor Greg Stanton said Mr Dank was the victim of "spurious, tenuous and unsubstantiated" allegations.

"None of which have resulted at this point in time in any criminal allegations being levelled against him, let alone a charge being brought under either state or Commonwealth legislation," Mr Stanton said.

"This man has been in a shameless and flagrant fashion deprived of a 'fair go'.

"He stands, if I may use this phrase, as a sacrificial lamb on the altar of sport which this country worships and adores on a day-to-day basis.

"He is a broken man."

Time to inject some empathy into the drugs debate

Mr Stanton said Mr Dank had never been accused of any wrongdoing while at Essendon and "emphatically denies" any association with convicted drug dealer Shane Charter.

"No allegation whilst he was at Essendon emerged nor did any charge of supply of any illegal substance," Mr Stanton said.

"Mr Dank is a scapegoat - but his expertise, his skill, his knowledge and his credibility will ultimately come to the fore."

Details of which sporting stars and clubs are accused of wrongdoing are yet to be revealed.

With a cloud hanging over all professional codes, former prime minister Kevin Rudd said it was crucial "clean" athletes were not tarnished by the scandal.

"We all know how central sport is to the Australian identity ... it's because we actually believe in fair play and that's who we are. That is now being torpedoed by this report," Mr Rudd said.

"The key thing now is to establish the facts - which players, which clubs - because I'm a bit concerned about every person out there who we've all watched, admired ... is now walking around with a total cloud over their head."

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she found the crime commission's edited report "sickening" but she did not support its release.

"But I think we have to let the experts get on with the job," she said.

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AFL clubs under scrutiny

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich says their players have been injected with vitamin supplements, but all above board.

Essendon high performance manager Dean Robinson worked at Geelong and Gold Coast, prompting the AFL to investigate those clubs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

A SPECIAL AFL forensic team will investigate the operations of the two clubs who previously employed suspended Essendon high performance manager Dean Robinson.

Geelong and Gold Coast have been told the league's investigators will be putting the microscope over every aspect of their high performance departments.

Robinson, who was stood down by Essendon on Tuesday, joined Geelong in 2007 as its strength and conditioning coach before moving to the Suns at the end of 2010.

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Brisbane is also on the league's hit list after admitting Stephen Dank, the performance scientist who was brought to Essendon by Robinson and is the man at the centre of the scandal, had been briefly employed as a consultant to the Lions.

The AFL is planning to audit all clubs over their use of drugs and supplements with every training practice reviewed.

Geelong has maintained it has nothing to hide about the way it conducted its sports science and fitness departments during its stunning premiership run.

Gatto denies links to betting company

"Everyone in this organisation is accountable," chief executive Brian Cook said earlier. "That accountability is a high focus within our footy club.

"I'm confident we won't be implicated. The processes we use are pretty sound.

"The doctors are the only ones allowed to give injections, the doctors have to sign off any vitamin purchases made and we have a supplement register."

Geelong Football Club CEO Brian Cook with the 1st Brownlow Medal returned to the club. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: Geelong Advertiser

Despite the latest scandal, Cook said the club would continue to remain on the cutting edge of sports science.

For the past three years the Cats have had their own sports science advisory committee which is made up of elite sports scientists from across the country, including the Australian Institute of Sport.

Cook said while that committee was always looking for the next competitive advantage in the sports science area, it operated in a "very ethical framework'' that complied with Anti-Doping regulations.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire yesterday revealed the Pies had already conducted their own  audit of their sports science procedures including substances used by the club.

AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis says the roles of club doctors and medical professionals are being diminished sports science.

"We have already audited Collingwood two days ago and we are ready to come in with our ideas of what has to happen,'' McGuire said.

"After what happened in the last couple of days, we wanted to make sure everything is right and ship-shape at our club, to make sure we have the protocols in place.

"If there is anything to uncover I welcome it. One of the things that has been lost in translation is that we don't want to win a premiership by cheating. So we stand for sportsmanship. You have to stand up for that.''

Hawthorn has also conducted an audit which found players were only taking multivitamins and protein powder.

Brisbane coach Michael Voss said he was "not concerned at all'' about the club's links to Dank given the very "limited involvement'' the club had with him.

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Dons grill team over drug use

AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis says the roles of club doctors and medical professionals are being diminished sports science.

Essendon coach James Hird asked his players if they took drugs. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: The Advertiser

ESSENDON has interrogated every player on its list about using performance enhancing drugs as it continues to examine every aspect of the drugs scandal.

Coach James Hird, who fronted a Bombers board meeting on Thursday night, and football department boss Danny Corcoran this week summoned each player to individual meetings.

A meeting was also held yesterday in Canberra where Bombers chairman David Evans and chief executive Ian Robson met senior ASADA officials to ascertain the process of the investigation.

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At Essendon, several crisis meetings involving all the playing staff have been held, one of which was headed by Evans.

The players were told at one meeting the club did not know if they had been given banned drugs.

At the Hird meetings, the players were asked: Is there anything you need to tell us? Is there anything the club needs to know?

Each player answered no.

Gatto denies link to betting company

Although the answer was expected, Hird is understood to have found great comfort from the meetings, further strengthening his belief that his players did not knowingly take performance enhancing drugs.

Sacked sports scientist Stephen Danks has denied he gave the players prohibitive drugs when using injections and intravenous drips when loading players with supplements.

Some of those injections were done off-site, across the road from Windy Hill.

Thursday night's board meeting heard everything from Danks' signing to his departure, his unorthodox practices, the signing of consent forms and why and the expectation ahead of the ASADA investigation.

Directors were told strength and conditioning coach Dean Robinson, who joined the club in 2012, insisted that Danks join him as his sports science sidekick.

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich says their players have been injected with vitamin supplements, but all above board.

Robinson has been suspended pending the ASADA investigation, but he's not expected to to return to the club.

Evans said yesterday it had been an "extremely difficult'' week for the players and their families.

"There's going to be a lot speculaiton, about our players, about our club and possible sanctions but remember not one of our players has not tested positive for any banned substance or performancing drugs,'' he said.

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Milne boots four in Seaford heat

Stephen Milne starred in St Kilda's first intraclub practice match of the year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

AGELESS Stephen Milne set the pattern for another productive AFL season as a standout performer in St Kilda's first intraclub practice match today.

Milne booted four goals and set up at least another three with his renowned crumbing work in the forward line at Seaford.

The form of the 258-game veteran was high on coach Scott Watters' list of encouraging signs from the workout that lasted nearly two hours.

Watters said Milne was on a modified training program early in the pre-season to protect a minor knee problem.

But the 32-year-old stepped up his work when players resumed after the Christmas break.

Milne looked sharp and keen and the coach continued to marvel at his leadership and example for younger teammates.

He had a hand in two of fellow forward Terry Milera's three goals while another small forward Ahmed Saad also chimed in with two.

Beau Maister - formerly Wilkes - was impressive among the tall targets with three goals and midfielders Jack Steven and David Armitage were others to show impressive early touch.

Captain Nick Riewoldt, best and fairest winner Lenny Hayes, Sean Dempster, Adam Schneider and Rhys Stanley were the senior players to sit out the opening practice match.

Watters was the overseer of the game, supervised by a full complement of field and boundary umpires, that gave players short breaks every 10 or 15 minutes for onfield drinks in the heat.

Ruckman Ben McEvoy ran to the dressing rooms with a trainer midway through the match and didn't return. But

Watters said he was fine and the rest was only to manage his heavy workloads.

St Kilda starts its NAB Cup campaign against Adelaide and Port Adelaide in Adelaide tomorrow week.

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AFL vows to save our game

The AFL announce new measures to their Integrity Commission to catch drug cheats including more investigators and more drug testing.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is adamant that cheating of any form in the AFL will not be accepted and you will be caught.

North Melbourne vice-captain and AFLPA board member Drew Petrie is shocked by the revelations by the ACC and welcomes the investigation.

Government ministers and the heads of Australian sporting codes are talking tough about widespread criminal elements in sport.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou and AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick address the media after the Australian Crime Commission released a report on drugs and organised crime in Australian sport. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL has declared war on drug-takers and pushers as part of an unprecedented crackdown on criminals infiltrating the sport.

An emergency AFL Commission meeting yesterday fast-tracked a host of reforms to its drug code.

The league will require the name of every drug and/or supplement that is given to players by medical and sports science staff at the 18 clubs.

All club personnel will have background checks ordered and a whistleblower unit will be set up.

Responding to yesterday's Australian Crime Commission report, AFL chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and chief executive Andrew Demetriou refused to share evidence of doping in the AFL, saying they were bound by confidentiality.

They said they were not aware of the number of players or clubs who had been identified by the ACC.

"We're not sure if it's a couple of individuals or more widespread at this stage, but we're going to find out," Fitzpatrick said.

Fitzpatrick said combating doping was the game's major priority.

"We feel the WADA testing was relatively successful to about 12 months ago, and it's become clear today it's not," he said.

"We're looking at moving as quickly as we can to make the sure the integrity, the fairness of the competition is reinforced.

"Our view is we're going to clean up the sport as quickly as we can."

It's understood the ACC has extracted information from criminal elements, and that at least one person central to the Essendon drugs scandal has been spoken to by the ACC.

Demetriou described yesterday as a "wake-up call", and that the AFL and the NRL - identified as the codes with the biggest integrity issues - needed greater resources to combat cheats.

"It would be fair to say after today there will be people at all of our clubs, working at all different levels, which would include players, that will have had a wake-up call," he said.

Adelaide Crows captain Nathan van Berlo surprised at the revelations revealed by the Australian Crime Commission.

"With this scrutiny they will be thinking, what should I do.

"I will say this, if you are out there and you think that you can run the gauntlet of cheating in this system, whether to be with the salary cap or the use of performance enhancing drugs, gambling etc, make no mistake you will be caught."

The AFL's strategy will be outlined to the four major heads of footy clubs - the chairman, the coach, the chief executive and football operations manager - who will be required to attend the AFL over the coming week.

The AFL reforms include:

A REVAMPING of the AFL's integrity unit, which includes more investigators, more technology, more intelligence gathering capabilities and more testing.

AN AUDIT of every club's use of supplements and other treatments.

THE AFL's medical officers to meet club doctor to review their practices and the use of external practitioners.

MANDATORY reporting of doping activity or when players are approached to take drugs.

REGISTRATION of all club staff, pointedly sports science staff and and high performance managers.

BACKGROUND checks on all club staff.

A WHISTLEBLOWER unit to help catch crooks.

Demetriou would not comment on the Essendon issue, but stressed some drugs were undetectable under current drug testing procedures.

"There are drugs out there not even approved for human use yet that are being trialled," he said.

Fitzpatrick said the game needed protecting from "insidious elements".

"Today's news from the Australian Crime Commission has shown us all Australian sport is not immune from the problems sport overseas have faced," he said.

"The world has changed and we have to respond to it."

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'The Pharmacist' set to tell all

Bombers midfielder Jake Melksham has injured his hand during a intra-club match.

Sports scientist Steve Dank is set to deliver an explosive interview. Source: news.com.au

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is adamant that cheating of any form in the AFL will not be accepted and you will be caught.

Former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy chats to Fox Sports News about the Bombers doping scandal, saying anyone found guilty should be banned from the AFL.

STEPHEN Dank, the man at the centre of the Essendon drugs saga, is set to deliver an explosive tell-all interview in which he pledges his innocence in the scandal that has rocked Australian sport.

After several days in hiding, sources close to Dank say the controversial sports scientist is ready to emerge from the maelstrom to fully explain his methods and declare he never administered illegal substances to athletes in the AFL or NRL.

It is understood Dank has completed a pre-recorded interview with ABC's 7.30 Report. It was scheduled to appear tonight but it is expected Dank's interview will now be aired Monday.

It is believed the man dubbed "The Pharmacist" has told sources he has nothing to hide ahead of the interview.

The former Essendon sports-science guru offered an emphatic "no" when asked by News Limited on Wednesday whether he had knowingly given or injected banned substances to Bombers players.

Robbo - The ugly day when belief died

But after staying silent for 48 hours as ASADA and the Australian Crime Commission ramp-up investigations into doping and alleged organised crime links, Dank is ready to open up, including detailed accounts of the practices he employed at various clubs including Essendon and former NRL premiers Manly.

A source close to Dank has scoffed at suggestions the former Essendon employee, nicknamed 'The Professor', peddled illegal substances to AFL or NRL clubs.

The source claimed Dank operated within the rules in the NRL and used mainly Vitamin B, Vitamin C and glutathiamine injections, which deliver antioxidants, with Essendon players.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is adamant that cheating of any form in the AFL will not be accepted and you will be caught.

"Claims that Steve may have cheated at Manly are ridiculous," the insider said.

"He didn't go into peptides, he looked at DNA-profiling and the (Manly) club used injections with calves blood but that was never illegal.

"I can't see Dank helping out other NRL teams ... he did his own work."

A friend of Dank told News Limited this morning: "I have known Stephen for years and I can't see him getting into anything illegal.

AFL, NRL 'allowed cheating to fester'

"There is no doubt he is an offbeat sort of guy, he's very intelligent, very dedicated to sports science ... but whether he would be administering illegal substances, who knows?"

A 12-month investigation by the ACC released yesterday found illegal drugs were present in Australian sport and being facilitated by sports scientists, high-level coaches and sports staff.

A leading AFL conditioner, who has conducted extensive research into drugs in sport, explained why sporting teams would be playing with fire by using illegal peptides such as GHRP-6.

Former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy chats to Fox Sports News about the Bombers doping scandal, saying anyone found guilty should be banned from the AFL.

"We would be naive if we thought it wasn't happening, but I don't know of anyone (in AFL or rugby league) who is using it," he said.

"There is no evidence to prove (using peptides) actually works.

"Peptides such as GHRP-6 are designed to produce growth hormone which helps with muscle mass, so if anything it would be more useful with rugby league athletes than those in the AFL.

"There are hundreds of peptides, some are legal and some are not, and that is what ASADA will have to work out.

Name the names of drug cheats and criminals in Australian sport or call it a crock says Robert Craddock.

"Most blokes in our field would not go near this stuff. There is no real research on the effects on the body and how effective it is.

"If Essendon are doing it, it is certainly not commonplace."

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Melksham breaks hand at intra-club

Bombers midfielder Jake Melksham has injured his hand during a intra-club match.

Jake Melksham broke his hand and will miss the NAB Cup opener. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: HWT Image Library

ESSENDON'S week from hell has taken another nosedive with silky midfielder Jake Melksham breaking his hand at training today.

Melksham joins captain Jobe Watson (knee) and David Zaharakis (quad) on the injury list ahead of the Bombers' NAB Cup opener next Friday night.

The 21-year-old will undergo surgery after the mishap in today's intra-club match. Melksham landed awkwardly on his hand in an attempt to win the ball.

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Coach James Hird said Melksham would return to training next week despite the setback.

"Jake will have the operation today but he will be back into training on Monday," Hird said.

"We look forward to him playing in the next two to three weeks."

The Bombers expect Melksham to return for Round 2 of the NAB Cup - a showdown with Richmond at Wangaratta next month.

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Jumping Jack jets home sick

Jack Riewoldt will miss tonight's match. Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images Source: HWT Image Library

RICHMOND superstar Jack Riewoldt has flown home early from Alice Springs with an illness.

The Tigers spearhead flew back to Melbourne this morning after contracting the flu on the clubs Pre-season camp in the Northern Territory.

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A Richmond official said Riewoldt had long been ruled out of tonight's exhibition match against the indigenous All Stars as he continues his recovery from injury.

Geelong pair Alan Christensen and Travis Varcoe also flew home this morning.

The absence of Riewoldt further dilutes the talent on display at Alice Springs' Traeger Park tonight, with Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Shaun Burgoyne and Adam Goodes all not playing.

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Trafficker worked with Hird in 2004

Convicted drug trafficker Shane Charter has links to Essendon legend James Hird. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

SHANE Charter - the convicted drug trafficker who may have supplied former Essendon sports scientist Steve Dank with supplements at the centre of footy's doping probe - has links to Bombers coach James Hird.

The Herald Sun can reveal Hird and Charter worked together for 12 months on his diet and fitness during the champion's premiership and Brownlow Medal-winning career.

Charter was also hailed as "the architect" behind Demon Shane Woewodin's 2000 Brownlow Medal win.

An Essendon spokesman told the Herald Sun today: "Shane Charter was introduced to James Hird by friends to give dietary advice to him and a number of his friends during 2003 and in early 2004.

"James has had no contact or communication with Mr Charter since, except when he ran into him in 2011.

"The relationship was never more than that."

Charter said in 2000, after Woewodin's win: "My life might be changing next year."

Of his program, Charter, then a full-time pharmaceutical company sales rep, said: "It's a multi-faceted program that involves nutrition, modifying training and also testing in terms of urine and blood analysis.

"It's very tailored. The system is individualised to cater for the individual's needs.

"Every player has different requirements in terms of his age, weight, energy, daily activity, repair to muscle tissue and vitamin, minerals and enzyme deficiencies.

"With Shane there were areas we could get large improvements.''

Former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy says it's better to have doping "on the table" and investigated rather than covered up.

The football operations general manager at Melbourne in 2000 was Danny Corcoran, who is now head of football at Essendon.

There is no suggestion that Woewodin or Hird ever took banned substances.

A Fairfax report today alleged Charter had worked closely with Dank while he was at Essendon last year to provide players with supplements.

Charter was arrested and found in possession of 100,000 pseudoephedrine-based tablets in 2004. He pleaded guilty and received a reduced prison sentence.

The Bombers on Monday requested ASADA and the AFL investigate the club's sports science program after concerns were raised about players being injected with supplements off site by a registered nurse.

Charlie Bezzina: Essendon probe must be exhaustive

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Fox: Get it done before Round 1

Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox just wants the season to start. Source: News Limited

HAWTHORN chief executive Stuart Fox wants the investigation in to drugs and corruption in sport to start and end as quickly as possible to allow the football season to begin free of controversy.

Fox stressed he had 100 per cent confidence in his club's governance, but said the damning allegations serve as a wake-up call to all clubs regardless of whether or not they have anything to hide.

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Speaking from Hawthorn's community camp in Hobart, Fox said it would be unfortunate if the start of the season was overshadowed by the scandal.

"I think the most important thing is that the investigation gets underway pretty quickly and that the outcomes are communicated,'' Fox said.

"Simply because you don't want this lingering around during a football season because we want the members and supporters focussed on football and enjoying what football brings to the weekends.''

Fox said Hawthorn stands ready to help any investigation.

"It's a big issue and we're all concerned about it,'' he said.

"But the reality is there's going to be an investigation, it's probably started, and we just need to see what the outcomes are before anyone makes any sort of judgement.

"I think what it does for a club is just open up your eyes and makes you go back and check your own workplace to make sure you have got the right governance structures in place.

"I've always been confident Hawthorn is very good at its governance and that's because our board has set a structure in place around it and that's been driven through management rigorously.

"So while we still go through and investigate and have a look, I've always been confident about our club.''
 

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'I couldn't live with guilt': Brown

Nathan Brown grimaces in pain after breaking his leg in 2005. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FORMER Richmond forward Nathan Brown has revealed he was offered human growth hormones after snapping his leg in 2005.

Brown, 34, said he declined the invitation which was made about two months after he broke his leg in a sickening clash with Melbourne defender Matthew Whelan.

"I wanted to be back… I did think about it for a fleeting moment, but I just thought how often you would be looking over shoulder if you actually went through with it," Brown told Triple M today.

"I don't think I could live with that guilt."

But Brown conceded the offer stuck in his mind during his lengthy rehabilitation.

The dual All Australian said he sympathised with Essendon players caught up in the doping scandal.

"I thought it was a pretty pure and clean game (football)… I never thought this day would come," Brown said.

"It's disappointing what's happened to the Bombers… I genuinely believe those players wouldn't take anything knowingly.

"If it turns out to be something very naïve and they haven't covered their bases, then they could be in some trouble."

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AFL changes policy after crisis meeting

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has welcomed a federal investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Australian sport.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou fronts the media in Canberra today. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: Herald Sun

UPDATE: THE AFL will introduce a raft of instant changes to league policies in a sudden bid to stamp out alleged doping in the wake of the shocking Australian Crime Commission report today.

The league held an emergency commission meeting today and will now conduct background checks on all sports scientists, high-performance managers as well as introduce a whistleblower service.

That will give officials the power to dob in suspected drug cheats.

"It would be fair to say that after today there will be people at all of our clubs at all levels, which would include players, that would have had a wake-up call,'' AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said tonight.

"If you are out there and you think you can run the gauntlet in cheating in this system … make no mistake you will be caught.

"And after today make absolutely no mistake, you will be caught."

The four key members of each club – the president, coach, football manager and chief executive – will be forced to meet with the AFL Commission as soon as possible, while the AFL will implement a total audit of all drugs given to players.

"We're putting all clubs on notice that they will have to advise the AFL of all drugs and substances they are providing to their players and the use of those substances will be subject to AFL approval," AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said.

"We will instruct AFL medical commissioners to meet all club doctors to review their practices and their supervision of treatments and report back to the AFL Commission."

The league will also ramp up its club registry to have all staff who have contact with players, including sports scientists, listed.

"And their will be appropriate background checks, which includes registering your background qualifications with sports you may have worked in, your CV etc," Demetriou said.

"We've worked closely with ASADA and we've got a very sophisticated testing scheme.

"There are some drugs being used today which can't be tested for."

Demetriou said the league would heavily rely on gathering intelligence to expose drug cheats, citing the eventual success in bringing down Lance Armstrong.

"It proves as good as it (the AFL's drug testing) is today we need to do more, because the scientists and these people who are peddling and experimenting are ahead of everyone else," he said.

The league boss would not comment further on the Essendon probe but said the AFL was acting swiftly today because "there's no time to waste".

He admitted he did not know how much cleaning up was required in the AFL, but said the league had taken a proactive approach since implementing the integrity unit in 2008.

Earlier, Demetriou welcomed a federal investigation into the wide-spread use of performance-enhancing drugs in Australian sport.

Speaking in Canberra today, Demetriou said briefings with the Australian Crime Commission about the use of peptides and hormones across a number of professional sporting codes had come as a shock.

"We've always had a very thorough and very rigorous testing regime," Demetriou said during an explosive press conference at Parliament House lifting the lid on a national investigation targeting drugs in sport and match fixing.

Australian sport's darkest day

"…when you start to think about the sophistication of drugs and how the scientists are ahead of the testers and, that there's tests that can't actually catch particular sorts of drugs, then you do have to rely on intelligence gather – we've done everything we can but we can do more.

"Today is the day we draw a line in the sand and collectively we address and tackle (drugs in sport because) sport is too important in this community."

But Demetriou rejected claims the Essendon doping scandal was born out of meetings with the Australian Crime Commission.

How the codes responded

The ACC is a multi-agency law enforcement body, including Federal Police and border protection, with coercive powers of investigation.

Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said state and territory-based law enforcement agencies would continue the ACC's investigation which found organised crime cartels had infiltrated professional sporting codes.

"The findings are shocking and they will disgust Australian sports fans," Clare said.

"The evidence to date is not the majority but we're talking multiple athletes across a number of codes.

Key points that stunned a nation

"In some cases players are being administered with drugs that have not yet been approved for human use.

"Don't underestimate how much we know," he warned. "Come forward, before you get a knock at the door."

Demetriou said the AFL Integrity Unit would work with the ACC and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority in weeding out the drug cheats in the system.

- with Gilbert Gardiner

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McVeigh backs Dons

Herald Sun AFL writer Mark Robinson says the Essendon supplements scandal is just the tip of the iceberg and that there are criminal elements involved as well.

Essendon hold their first training session since announcing they have gone to the AFL over concerns about supplements supplied last year.

AFL great Dermot Brereton voices his thoughts on the Essendon doping scandal.

Essendon call in AFL and ASADA to investigate the club's training regime and suppliments given to players.

Victory University Institute of Sport's Simon Outram chats to Fox Sports News about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in light of the Essendon stimulant scandal.

Retired Essendon midfielder Mark McVeigh is confident the players will be cleared of any wrongdoing. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Jobe Watson leaves the field during a training session at Tullamarine as his team faces an AFL and ASADA drug probe. Picture: Blair Hamish Source: Herald Sun

Essendon coach James Hird appears to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he throws a football in a wheely bin at the end of a training session at Tullamarine on Wednesday morning. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

Essendon players training at Windy Hill in 2012. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Artwork: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

RETIRED Essendon midfielder Mark McVeigh has poured cold water on the use of supplements within the Bombers' fitness ranks.

The 232-game veteran threw his full support behind the Bombers' fitness and medical departments which included former staffer Steve Dank and strength and conditioning guru Dean Robinson.

As revealed in the Herald Sun today, Dank is the subject of a Federal Police investigation into performance-enhancing drugs in football.

"It's a huge shock and disappointment the way the club's been dragged through the mud a little," McVeigh told SEN radio.

"I can honestly tell you that everything I took I knew 100 per cent that it was within the WADA and AFL doping regulations."

McVeigh also took a swipe at former teammate Kyle Reimers, who told Channel 9 he thought the use of supplements last year was borderline.

"Kyle Reimers has come out and said things that are untrue," a spirited McVeigh said.

"He's a disgruntled player that was delisted by the football club that very rarely turned up to pre-season training in any sort of form that resembled a professional footballer.

McVeigh rejected claims the players were asked to sign waivers clearing the club of any wrongdoing.

"It wasn't a waiver...it was a consent form," he said.

"And if you were comfortable with what you were taking, which we all were because it was within the rules and the doctor had told us it was fine... we signed it and it gave them consent to be able to have these tablets.

"Every player knew what they were taking. It was listed and we knew that it was within the rules.

"It was clearly stated to us what we were taking. If you didn't know, you must have been asleep in the meeting, which, you know what, Reimers probably was (asleep).

McVeigh confirmed the use of off-site injecting rooms.

"Footy clubs can sometimes be filthy, so we were taken to a sterile environment and the only injection I ever had was a vitamin C or vitamin B injection," he said.

"Nothing any more sinister than that, and that's what other players would have if they were feeling a bit down, or trying to get over a cold before a Saturday night game."

Essendon coach James Hird backed his club's fitness program.

The morning after the Bombers announced they had stood down the club's fitness guru, Hird said he was "still shocked" by the drugs scandal rocking the club.

"I have confidence in our processes at our footy club that we'd get it right." Hird said upon arriving at Windy Hilly this morning.

"Our players are moving on, we're training hard and we're looking forward to the start of the season.

"I'm sure it (the allegations) does have an effect (on them), but we're moving on."

While Robinson has only been suspended, the Bombers late last year parted ways with now-former performance scientist Stephen Dank.

This afternoon it has been revealed Dank, at the centre of the Bombers' supplements scandal, injected calf blood into players during his time with Manly in the NRL.

Club veteran Dustin Fletcher said he would let the club's senior officials speak about the impending the investigation.

"I'm not too fussed about it, the boys upstairs will deal with it," he said.

How soccer & NFL dealt with injection controversy

"Hirdy (coach James Hird), Evo (club chairman David Evans) and Robbo (CEO Ian Robson) will deal with it, we'll just keep training and doing our best."

Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton swore to stick by the club when he arrived at Windy Hill.

"(I'll) continue to support the football club and we're just getting on with our business," he said.

'I'd be devastated if Jobe lost Brownlow': Tim Watson

On Nova radio this morning, former Lion and Bulldog Jason Akermanis said he thought there would be large fallout from the investigation.

"It ain't going to wash this one, there will be a lot of guys who are going to be in a lot of trouble," he said.

The embattled club's home turf at Windy Hill remains a hive of activity, with players and senior officials believed to be holding crisis talks behind closed doors.

Motorists in the area are slowing down along Napier St to have a closer look at the club which has been thrown into turmoil over the past 48 hours.

Drivers are winding down their windows as they pass Windy Hill Oval, shouting choruses of "drug cheats", while the Bombers' faithful have expressed their disappointment at the drug scandal allegations.

Craigeburn resident Joseph Fisher, 65, said he had followed the Dons for more than 20 years and this scandal wouldn't put him off barracking for the red and black.

"It's a sad time for the club," he said outside Windy Hill this morning.

"I am surprised that this could be happening at the club in this day and age.

"I'll continue to support them... But let's just say, drugs and football don't mix."

Earlier, Essendon players completed a high-security training session at Tullamarine following a club meeting which was off limits to the public and media.

SEE PICTURES FROM TRAINING HERE

The footballers and training staff were ushered into the under-construction Melbourne Airport Club training ground between 7-8am by security and club staff.

Media and fans were denied entry to the venue, which is usually open to the public.

A barbed wire fence encircled the facility.

Essendon coach James Hird appears to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he throws a football in a wheely bin at the end of a training session at Tullamarine onWednesday morning. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

Several fans were relegated to watch the training session beyond the barbed wire fence and speculate on the scandal.

Bombers supporter Robert Glenn said the revelations were "a bloody shame".

"Hird and Thompson are very negligent in their jobs if they don't know what their players have taken," Mr Glenn said.

"It's a bloody shame because they've been training so well."

Tredrea: I was offered drugs

A security guard instructed those driving out of the ground to wind up their windows as he escorted them to the roadside, shielding them from the media contingent.

Media have also positioned themselves at Windy Hill, the football club's headquarters.

Security guards and club staff manned the gates of the Melbourne Airport training facility where Essendon Football Club players and officials met early this morning.

Jobe Watson leaves the field during a training session at Tullamarine as his team faces an AFL and ASADA drug probe. Picture: Blair Hamish Source: Herald Sun

It comes after yesterday's day of high drama in which it was announced the AFL would investigate the Bombers.

The Herald Sun revealed players were taken away from the club and injected with unknown substances by sports science staff last season.

The Herald Sun can also reveal the off-site injections will form part of an investigation by the AFL and Australia's anti-doping watchdog into inappropriate use of supplements at the club in 2012.

Sources allege organised crime gangs also have been linked to the scandal.

It is alleged the alarm was raised at Windy Hill midway through last season about the activities of Dank, who has since left the club.

BELOW: Possible sanctions that could be imposed by WADA and the AFL

Expense forms totalling more than $10,000, including the cost of a registered nurse to perform injections, were regularly submitted by Dank to the club.

Essendon late last night stood down Robinson, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The substances, which have not been identified, were taken orally, by injection and intravenously.

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Sports physician Dr Peter Larkins said Essendon players could be facing up to a two-year ban if found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Dr Larkins told 3AW this morning it was rumoured the drug used was a peptide.

"I've been given a lot of hints over the last 12 hours form the various people connected to this story and I've come up with three," he said.

"Best guess is that they're using a stimulator substance that produces your own increase of your natural hormones. So they're not taking an external drug that is routinely detectable," Dr Larkins claimed.

Essendon players were asked to sign waivers, supposedly exonerating the club of wrongdoing in the taking of the mystery substances.

It is understood an Essendon official spoke to an organised crime investigative body about his knowledge of performance-enhancing drugs in football last November.

The AFL is aware that its sport is being targeted by peddlers of illegal substances.

The Herald Sun last night submitted questions to the Australian Crime Commission, a leading law enforcement body in the fight against organised crime. In response, it said: "The Australian Crime Commission does not confirm who it is or isn't investigating."

Essendon coach James Hird, along with chief executive Ian Robson and chairman David Evans, talk to the media about inappropriate use of supplements by some players at the club during the 2012 season. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

BELOW: See timeline of club's past three years and snapshot of the Bombers' 2012 season

Sources last night warned at least one more club could be implicated over misuse of supplements.

It is known Essendon's highly respected club doctor, Bruce Reid, became frustrated by elements of Dank's work with the players last year.

But Bombers chiefs yesterday claimed they had become aware of "concerning information" only in the past two days. 

Who is Stephen Dank?

 Axed former Essendon star Kyle Reimers told Channel 9 last night: "They (Essendon) admitted to us that it was right on the edge.

"Speaking to blokes from other clubs, I don't think anyone has ever thought about signing it or doing the stuff we were doing.

"After a couple of months away from it, it does seem pretty odd that, the type of stuff we were taking."

Editorial: Drugs menace is a great game

Essendon yesterday stressed the recent departures of football boss Paul Hamilton and chief operating officer Dom Cato were not related to the scandal.

The Herald Sun contacted a number of senior Essendon officials about the allegations on Monday and they strongly denied any wrongdoing by the club last year.

They now fear, however, banned drugs may have been given to their players without the knowledge of senior officials.

The club had late night meetings on Monday and again yesterday before coming forward to the AFL.

Players face two-year bans

Bombers chairman David Evans said: "The integrity at the club is critical, and that's why we've moved quickly to contact the AFL.

"The info we gathered over the last 24 or 48 hours is slightly concerning, and we want to dig a bit deeper but we want the AFL to help us."

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has long made known his dislike for the growing influence of sports scientists in the game.

Last night he said: "They (Essendon) have just started the investigation. They don't know what they have taken or alleged to have taken, they don't know the composition, and they don't even know if they have broken any WADA rules.

"They have come forward so I think they are entitled to the benefit of the doubt."

Bombers legend Tim Watson believes the players' trust has been abused.

"Players by nature are trusting individuals who think OK, if these people have been accepted into our football club, then we as players, we're not scientists, we don't know the make-up of this supplement," Watson told SEN.

Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd also said the blame couldn't be placed on the players, who he says would have been following medical advice.

"You're told by a fitness coach or a sports scientist that you'll get a greater advantage and recover well, be fitter, stronger, and everything is done legally ... yeah you'd just jump onboard and do it," he told 3AW.

Meanwhile, Brownlow medallist and footy commentator Gerard Healy said he made the AFL aware of doping concerns 12 months ago after the issue was raised by an Essendon official at a sports medicine conference, 3AW reported.

- Reporting by Mark Robinson, Michael Warner, Mark Buttler, Erin Marie and Angus Thompson

Dejected Essendon players depart the MCG after another loss late in the season last year. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S 2012 IN A SNAPSHOT

- The Bombers soared to an 8-1 win-loss record and are second on the table heading into June. Their premiership odds are crunched as Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton and Dustin Fletcher lead the charge.

- The Dons' opening nine weeks eventuated despite a spate of early-season injuries and included a stunning 30-point win against Carlton, which is the flag favourite at the time.

- A shock loss to straggler Melbourne in Round 10 lights the fuse for Essendon's dramatic demise in the second half of the season. The Dons are the first side to lose to the Dees under Mark Neeld.

- Dons chairman David Evans is forced to publicly defend high-performance manager Dean Robinson ("The Weapon") for the injury curse in August. Essendon's soft-tissue epidemic claims about a dozen stars, including Michael Hurley, David Zaharakis, Brent Stanton, Paddy Ryder, David Hille and Stewie Crameri.

- Essendon peters out to finish with an 11-11 record, dropping 10 of the final 13 matches to finish 11th on the ladder.

- The Dons record embarrassing losses to Richmond (45 points) and Carlton (96) in the final month of the season.

- Jobe Watson becomes the first player since Shane Crawford in 1999 to win the Brownlow Medal from a non-finalist, polling 30 votes.

- Essendon parts company with sports science guru Stephen Dank in the fallout from their wretched collapse last season.

- Football manager Paul Hamilton reportedly walks out in September, with Danny Corcoran taking charge at Windy Hill.

Essendon's big guns (from left), chief executive Ian Robson, chairman David Evans and coach James Hird, front the media yesterday. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

What they said
"I am very disappointed. Shocked, is probably the best word ... I believe we followed processes; we put in place the right kind of processes. My understanding is we worked within the framework that was given to us by the AFL and I am shocked to be sitting here really.'' - Essendon coach James Hird

"I think the investigation takes its course from here and we learn more, as I said earlier I don't have all the answers but as you would agree this is a minefield. It takes experts, we have contacted experts today and we will use them to help us with the findings.'' - Essendon chairman David Evans

"David Evans has briefed the AFL about the matter and we support his actions. The AFL's Integrity Unit already works closely with ASADA and will assist with the investigation.'' - Acting AFL Football Operations Manager Gillon McLachlan

TIMELINE
End of 2010
- Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson quits the Cats to join Essendon as James Hird's senior assistant. He says the Bombers must get bigger.

End of 2011
- Former Geelong and Gold Coast fitness guru Dean ``The Weapon'' Robinson joins Essendon and says his pre-season program for the under-sized Bombers will be ``intense''.

Start of 2012
- Robinson recruits long-time collaborator sports scientist Stephen Dank. Known as "The Pharmacist'', Dank worked at NRL club Manly and Gold Coast Suns in the AFL with Robinson.

End of season 2012
- Robinson has his role downgraded as former Athletics Australia chief executive Danny Corcoran takes on more responsibility.

- Jobe Watson win the Brownlow medal, polling 30 votes.

- Football manager Paul Hamilton quits the club.

- Dank parted company with the club amid concern over the sports science program.

Yesterday
- Essendon chairman David Evans says "over the last 48 hours the Essendon Football Club has received information about supplements that have been given to our players as part of the fitness program of 2012". ADL and ASADA launch investigations.

Last night
- Essendon stands down Robinson pending the outcome of the inquiries.

A young fan flies an Essendon flag during a match at Etihad Stadium last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Possible sanctions

WADA
- World Anti-Doping Code penalties for using performance-enhancing drugs: First violation - two years ineligibility; Second violation: lifetime ineligibility.

However, the Athlete or other Person shall have the opportunity in each case, before a period of Ineligibility is imposed, to establish the basis for eliminating or reducing this sanction

AFL
- The AFL has broad powers under its rules to penalise clubs and players it deems have brought the game into disrepute - clubs could face hefty fines and exclusion from the national draft.

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Jurrah released on bail

Troubled former Demon Liam Jurrah will re-appear in court in March after handing himself into police today. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: Herald Sun

TROUBLED footballer Liam Jurrah has been released on bail after voluntarily surrendering himself to police.

On Tuesday, the Elizabeth Magistrates Court issued a warrant for Jurrah's arrest, after he failed to appear on charges of assault and drink driving.

This afternoon, Jurrah surrendered himself to the Elizabeth Police Station, and appeared in court within the hour.

Joanna Caracoussis, for Jurrah, said in court her client accepted he needs to be more organised in future.

She said he also apologised to the court for his mistake.

Magistrate Joanne Tracey released Jurrah on bail, noting there was no opposition from prosecution.

She ordered he reside at an address at Valley View and report to the Holden Hill police station, once a week.

She ordered he face court again in March.

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ASADA 'out to get everyone'

Casey Scorpions player Wade Lees says ASADA "takes no prisoners". Picture: Stuart Mlligan Source: Herald Sun

A BANNED VFL player has warned Australia's anti-doping watchdog has a "take no prisoners" mentality ahead of its investigation into Essendon's alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs.

AFL aspirant Wade Lees urged Bomber players to brace for the toughest mental test of their lives after the AFL and ASADA yesterday launched its probe into the injecting of unknown substances last year at an off-site location.

Lees was subjected to a gruelling two-year ASADA interrogation including frequent questioning and submissions, phone conferences, a cross-examination and ultimately an 18-month ban for importing performance-enhancing drugs.

The VFL star purchased a fat-burner contaminated with steroids but claimed he did not know it contained traces of illegal constituents.

The product was intercepted by customs and Lees says he has never taken a banned substance.

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Lees said ignorance was no excuse with ASADA, which was out to slug players with lengthy bans regardless of their innocence.

An AFL official confirmed players are strictly told not to consume any product which has not been approved by the club doctor during intense annual drug education.

Lees, 24, was banned from all competitive sport before his hearing was heard last year and eight months before the investigation concluded.

Hird backs The Weapon

"They're out to headhunt you and it doesn't matter if you're innocent or not, it's there job so they're out to get anyone and everyone,'' Lees told SuperFooty.

"ASADA, they're pretty tough. I don't know what's going to happen with Essendon, but I know they won't leave anyone behind, they'll take anyone and everyone.''

Lees said it was paramount to tell the truth in all ASADA hearings to avoid maximum penalties.

Two ASADA officials flew down from Canberra to interview the Casey Scorpions midfielder before launching a probe and charging the midfielder.

Tredrea: I was offered drugs

Lees said the mental burden was the hardest part of his ordeal.

"100 per cent, there wasn't a day I didn't think about it. It's mentally draining, it weighs down on you and gives you mood swings,'' he said.

"I was sweating and on edge and thinking about it all day every day and it would bring your mood down something shocking.

"It brought me down on life, I didn't want to do anything, just stay at home.

The pharmacist to the stars

"In the actual hearing they tried to change up the questions. I got cross-examined and they'd reword questions to try and get me to go against my word and trick me.''

Lees said the eight months he spent in limbo, banned from playing but yet to receive his penalty, was crushing.

"Just not being able to move on or know if I could play or plan next year or do anything hurt,'' he said.

"ASADA and the AFL (Victoria) was just in control of me.''

His sanction ends on November 10 this year, effectively costing him two VFL seasons.
 

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Meet the Beau Maister

St Kilda v Melbourne. MCG. Beau Wilkes celebrates his goal in the third Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: HWT Image Library

ST KILDA player Beau Wilkes has changed his name to Beau Maister.

He officially changed to his mother's surname name today.

"It's a personal decision that I have been thinking about for a while. I just felt now is the right time to change my name. I feel strongly about the decision I've made,'' Maister said.

It follows Hawthorn recruit Brian Lake's decision to switch surnames during his Western Bulldog days.

Lake, formerly known as Brian Harris, also changed to his mother's surname.
 

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Bombers start supplements probe

Essendon call in AFL and ASADA to investigate the club's training regime and suppliments given to players.

Essendon players training at Windy Hill in 2012. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON has called on the AFL and ASADA to assist an investigation into inappropriate use of supplements by some players.

At a hastily called media conference this afternoon, Bombers chairman David Evans said the club has received information about supplements given to players over the past 48 hours.

They would not reveal where the information came from.

Essendon say they have contacted AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier and Australian Sports and Drug Authority as a result.

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"The integrity at the club is critical, and that's why we've moved quickly to contact the AFL," Evans said.

"Of course this is a very distressing time for our club, we believe as a club we have done everything right to be compliant with the AFL and ASADA.

BELOW: See a snapshot of the Bombers' 2012 season

"We have moved quickly to call the AFL and ASADA to seek a clean bill of health.

"The info we gathered over the last 24 or 48 hours is slightly concerning, and we want to dig a bit deeper but we want the AFL to help us.

Who is Stephen Dank?

"We believe we have acted in a sensible and proper way.

Bombers coach James Hird said he was disappointed with the situation.

"I'm shocked to be sitting here," he said.

"As a coach I take full responsibility for what happens in our footy department.

"It's my belief we've done everything right."

Essendon has confirmed to the Herald Sun that the club had parted company with its sports science guru Stephen Dank late last year amid concerns about his conduct with players.

It has emerged Dank was the major casualty from Essendon's calamitous 2012 season which saw the cub slip from second to 10th on the AFL ladder in 11 weeks.

The Herald Sun can reveal Dank raised the ire of the club chiefs over his performance.

A former Essendon player told Channel 9 that the club knew it was pushing the boundaries with its program.

"From what they were saying, it was right on the borderline of what they were going to give us," he said.

"Everyone signed it, it was a personal choice as to whether they took it.

" ... it does seem very odd the type of stuff we were taking.

"They admitted to us it was right on the edge of the levels you could be taking."

Additional reporting by Mark Robinson and Mick Warner

ESSENDON'S 2012 IN A SNAPSHOT

- The Bombers soared to an 8-1 win-loss record and were second on the table heading into June. Their premiership odds were crunched as Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton and Dustin Fletcher led the charge.

- The Dons' opening nine weeks eventuated despite a spate of early-season injuries and included a stunning 30-point win against Carlton, which was the current flag favourite.

- A shock loss to straggler Melbourne in Round 10 lit the fuse for Essendon's dramatic demise in the second half of the season. The Dons were the first side to lose to the Dees under Mark Neeld.

- Dons chairman David Evans was forced to publicly defend high performance manager Dean Robinson ("The Weapon") for the injury curse in August. Essendon's soft-tissue epidemic claimed about a dozen stars, including Michael Hurley, David Zaharakis, Brent Stanton, Paddy Ryder, David Hille and Stewie Crameri.

- Essendon petered out to finish with an 11-11 record, dropping 10 of the final 13 matches to finish 11th on the ladder.

- The Dons recorded embarrassing losses to Richmond (45 points) and Carlton (96) in the final month of the season.

- Jobe Watson became the first player since Shane Crawford in 1999 to win the Brownlow medal from a non-finalist, polling 30 votes.

- Essendon sacked sports science guru Stephen Dank in the fallout from their wretched collapse last season.

- Football manager Paul Hamilton reportedly walked out in September, with Danny Corcoran taking charge at Windy Hill.

SANCTIONS

AFL players and officials found in breach of the league's Anti Doping Code face one year to lifetime bans, for repeat offenders, from participating in any AFL competitions.

Provisional suspensions can also be handed down prior to the findings of an investigation.

Meanwhile, AFL clubs could face hefty fines and exclusion from the national draft.

ASADA also has a range of sanctions against doping at its disposal including warnings and suspensions ranging from one month to lifetime bans.

Coaches, support personnel, parents and friends involved in the life of an athlete can be subject to breaches of the World Anti-Doping Code. While substances found in an athlete's body are the athlete's responsibility, support staff can also receive sanctions.

Former Richmond player Justin Charles was suspended for 16 matches in 1997 after testing positive to anabolic steroid use. There was no anti-doping code in place at the time of Charles' ban.

The AFL agreed to adopt the World Anti-Doping Agency Code in 2006.

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Judd, Waite sit out practice match

Carlton star Chris Judd will sit out tomorrow's intra-club hit out at Visy Park. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FORMER skipper Chris Judd and key forward Jarrad Waite are among four players who will sit out Carlton's first intra-club practice match at Visy Park tomorrow morning.

Judd will rest a strained hamstring while Waite is troubled by a calf muscle injury.

Recruit Troy Menzel won't be risked with a hip complaint and defender Andrew McInnes is still at least three months away following a knee reconstruction late last season.

"Troy is just adjusting to training loads. Obviously its a big change compared to what he's used to, and were just monitoring him,'' Blues football manager Andrew McKay said on the club's website.

"He has a little bit of hip aggravation and we don't want him to go too hard too early, but we would certainly expect to see him playing NAB Cup.''

McKay said the Blues were being ultra-cautious with Judd and Waite "because we know they can play footy" and want them available for the NAB Cup.

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Who is Stephen Dank?

Steve Dank in 2005 with NRL club Manly. Source: The Daily Telegraph

Essendon call in AFL and ASADA to investigate the club's training regime and suppliments given to players.

HE'S the mystery man who made a name for himself with innovative sports science methods including delving into the genetic build-up of players.

Stephen Dank would research the DNA of star NRL players to help structure their training programs.

He worked at Manly with Dean "The Weapon" Robinson before the pair reunited at Windy Hill.

But 2012 didn't go to plan and Dank was a quick casualty. The club and Dank parted company late last year. The Weapon has been stood down by the club pending the investigation from the AFL and ASADA.

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Most of us had not heard of Dank before the Essendon press conference, and while it is not known if he is linked to the current investigation, let's find out more about him...

WHO IS STEPHEN DANK?- A physiologist from Sydney who became known in Australia's sporting landscape a decade ago, when working for NRL outfit Manly Sea Eagles

- Dank grabbed headlines in 2004 when, working for NRL club Manly, he pioneered testing players' DNA to increase performance.

- This allowed Manly to tailor speed, power, weight and endurance programs to suit the make-up of their stars.

- In 2008 Dank put it on the record that he did not do media interviews

- Dank was known to work with calves' blood, altitude training machines, while his DNA program made Manly global pioneers

- Dank worked closely with Manly coach Dessie Hassler before joining Essendon

- Dank was sacked from the Bombers at the end of last season amid the fallout from the injury epidemic and Essendon's dramatic demise in the second half of the year

- It is believed Dank has since taken up a role at a different AFL club.

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Franklin out with calf tightness

Lance Franklin is out of the All-Stars game. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: Herald Sun

LANCE Franklin has been ruled out of the Indigenous All-Stars game after scans revealed fluid build up at the top of his calf.

The Hawks spearhead and All-Stars captain had scans late yesterday which confirmed the minor injury after experiencing tightness in the calf.

Franklin had a Baker's cyst behind his knee which burst on Monday.

The superstar forward will join his All-Stars teammates in a coaching capacity for Friday's match against Richmond.

It's not expected the injury will keep Franklin out of Hawthorn's NAB Cup matches against Brisbane and Gold Coast on February 23.

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Crows jump on the Buddy train

We're in the mix: Adelaide has announced it will be a big player in this year's free agency market even before Lance Franklin's surprise decision. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE has thrown its hat into the Lance Franklin money ring, declaring it could make an audacious end-of-season play for the champion forward.

Armed with plenty of salary cap room after Kurt Tippett's controversial departure to Sydney, the cashed-up Crows say they will "keep a close eye" on Franklin's contract status and could be in a position to offer the looming free agent a multi-million dollar deal to lure him from Hawthorn.

Only Fremantle is understood to have as much cash to spend on free agents as Adelaide at the end of the season.

Franklin - a superstar who is arguably the game's best player - could hit the open market after shocking the Hawks on Friday by knocking back a four-year deal understood to be worth about $4 million and telling the club he will not discuss a new contract until the end of the season.

This has sparked fears the restricted free agent could leave and put rival clubs with money to spend on red alert.

Adelaide - robbed of key draft picks for its role in the Tippett salary cap scandal - had announced it would be a big player in this year's free agency market even before "Buddy" Franklin's surprise decision.

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Its failure to re-sign Tippett has saved it about $750,000-a-season in salary cap room.

Chairman Rob Chapman told The Advertiser "we will be pro-active in that (free agency) area, no doubt. We are well placed to spend some money on players we think can help our football club and the process of identifying those players will start shortly."

Franklin, who has kicked 520 goals in 161 games, has quickly jumped to the top of the queue.

It is likely to take an offer of at least $5 million over four years to get Franklin to leave Hawthorn, where he has become the AFL's most marketable player.

Fremantle last year offered Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke $1.1 million for five years but failed to land him.

While 26-year-old Franklin is favoured to stay at the Hawks, the Crows point to former Saint Brendon Goddard's free agency move to Essendon as evidence that big-name players are prepared to switch clubs in the new free agency era.

"The landscape is certainly different than it was a few years ago," Adelaide list manager David Noble said. "Free agency has changed that."

Noble said the Crows would "clearly be interested in a player of Franklin's quality".

But he acknowledged there would be plenty of water to go under the bridge before Adelaide got close to securing him.

Noble said the club was in no hurry to speak to Franklin's manager, Liam Pickering, about his future.

"Any club would love to have a Lance Franklin on their list but the season hasn't even started yet so we will just sit and watch how things unfold with him," Noble said.

"Like most clubs we will be watching developments closely. You would expect it would take a lot to get Buddy to leave Hawthorn but as we've seen with these things you never say never."

Noble said his club's most pressing need at this time of the year was to find an in-house replacement for Tippett, who has left Taylor Walker as Adelaide's only recognised key forward.

Josh Jenkins, Shaun McKernan, Lewis Johnston and Tom Lynch are vying to be Walker's new key position goalkicking sidekick.

"And just how those players develop could impact on the philosophy we take with free agency," Noble said.

"First you have to see which players are available in free agency and then you have to decide how they fit in with the make-up of your team."

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Buddy: I want to stay a Hawk

Hawthorn may only receive a draft pick at the end of the first round as compensation, if Lance Franklin decides to leave as a restricted free agent.

Lance Franklin has put contract talks with Hawthorn on hold until the end of the season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Shane Crawford channels his inner Liam Neeson when he discovers Gary Ablett is 'taken' and tries to organise a swap with one of his mates

BREAKING NEWS: LANCE Franklin says he has "no intention" of walking out on Hawthorn despite putting contract talks on hold until the end of the season.

Franklin, who is out of contract and set to become a restricted free agent in October, said he wanted to focus on his football.

"There's going to be a lot of speculation, but I just want to play football. I have no intentions of leaving the footy club," he said.

"Internally it won't be spoken about, we'll just worry about playing footy.

"The footy club was shocked I didn't sign but I want to stay at hawthorn. It was my decision."

The superstar forward faced the media at 2pm today, just two days after the Herald Sun revealed he had put off contract negotiations with the Hawks until the end of the 2013 season.

Franklin and Richmond superstar Trent Cotchin spoke at AFL House ahead of Saturday night's Richmond-All-Stars exhibition showdown.

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Franklin's  contract revelation led to a media frenzy across the weekend, with the line from Buddy's  management eerily similar to that of Tom Scully, Gary Ablett and Kurt Tippett before that trio walked out on their clubs.

SuperFooty explained how history revealed this could spell disastrous news for the Hawks, while club legend Dermott Brereton told the Herald Sun that Franklin had made the right decision.

It was also revealed that Franklin had not struck a secret pact with Magpie-turned-Eagle Sharrod Wellingham to relocate to Perth and again shack up with his former housemate.

But Adelaide jumped on the front foot, today declaring it could make an audacious end-of-season play for the champion goalkicker.

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Suns play down stoush

Shane Crawford channels his inner Liam Neeson when he discovers Gary Ablett is 'taken' and tries to organise a swap with one of his mates

Campbell Brown and Maverick Weller were involved in a training stoush today. Source: The Courier-Mail

THE NAB Cup can't come soon enough for the Gold Coast Suns with tensions today spilling over into a training stoush between Campbell Brown and Maverick Weller.

No punches were thrown but the pair had to be separated several times by senior players Karmichael Hunt and Jarrod Harbrow during a running verbal battle that lasted for a couple of minutes.

It came close to re-erupting as the players walked from the field for a drinks break when Brown, reacting to something Weller said, spun around and attempted to force his way through several team mates to get to the young defender.

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The veteran hardman predictably played down the incident at the completion of training saying it was evidence the young side were sticking to their pre-season commitment to demand higher standards from each other and to communicate better.

"There was nothing in it, there are certainly no hard feelings,'' Brown said.

"It may not have looked ideal but there was a bit of feedback given and the point was certainly made.''

The Suns are itching for the start of the pre-season competition and the opportunity it provides to carry on the momentum built at the tail end of last season.

The tournament is particularly important for Brown who is suspended for the first six weeks of the premiership season.

He said he had never been a fan of the pre-season tournament, preferring to ease his way into a season, but this year he would be treating the games like premiership matches to give the coaching group a reminder of what he can offer the side.

"I got myself into this predicament and I'm going to fight my way out of it,'' he said.

The Suns have almost a full squad of fit players and positions for Rd 1 will be hotly contested during the NAB Cup.

The club's biggest concern is the continued absence of vice-captain Nathan Bock from full training.

Bock, who missed the majority of last season with a broken leg, is still limping and looks to be extremely doubtful to be fit for the start of the premiership competition.

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Seven Tigers set for debut

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has chosen a new-look side, including prized draftee Nick Vlastuin. Picture: Chris Hyde. Source: Getty Images

RICHMOND has selected a new-look side filled with recycled talent and exciting teenagers to face the Indigenous All-Stars on Friday night.

Tiger fans will get their first look at forwards Chris Knights (Adelaide), Aaron Edwards (North Melbourne) and rookie-listed ruckman Orren Stephenson (Geelong) in the Alice Springs clash.

Prized draftee Nick Vlastuin, last year's No. 9 pick, has also been selected in the 30-man squad.

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Vlastuin, 18, made an immediate impact at Punt Rd with the competitive beast poised for an early-season debut, most likely on a half-back flank.

Defender Steve Morris recently praised Morris's attitude and said Tiger fans would quickly fall in love with the Brad Sewell type.

Draftees Matthew McDonough, Kamdyn McIntosh and Cadeyn Williams have also been picked.

Knights, 26, crossed to the Tigers as a free agent, while Edwards was acquired in the trade period.

Star midfielder Trent Cotchin will make his debut as captain against the Lance Franklin-led All-Stars.

The match will be played at Traegar Park at 8.30pm AEDT and will be aired on television network NTIV.

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Dermie backs Franklin delay

Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.

Lance Franklin celebrates a goal during the 2012 Grand Final. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN legend Dermott Brereton says Lance Franklin has made the right move in delaying contract talks to get the best financial deal from the club.

The Herald Sun yesterday revealed Franklin's management had put off talks on a new contract until the end of the season, stunning Hawks officials who were hopeful of finalising the matter before Round 1.

Fremantle, in Franklin's home state of Western Australia, is seen to be in the best position to poach one of the game's biggest stars, with space in the Dockers' salary cap to pay the forward more than $1 million a year.

Brereton conceded the contract saga would likely create an ongoing distraction for Franklin and the Hawks, and said the move would cost the club in the vicinity of an extra $100,000 in its salary cap.

But Brereton, a five-time Hawthorn premiership forward, tipped Franklin to stay and was adamant the 25-year-old was entitled to hold off to get more money.

"If I was Buddy's manager, and this is 'Pickers' (Liam Pickering) we are talking about, I would advise him not to sign also," Brereton told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"It's like the Travis Cloke situation. You want to stay at the club, you love the club and 95 per cent you are going to stay at the club, but you want to maximise your earnings."

Pickering said Franklin, a three-time All-Australian who will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year, wanted to halt contract negotiations to concentrate on his football.

But Brereton said media scrutiny could disrupt the player and his club.

"It's not going to benefit him by saying, 'I just want to concentrate on my football'," he said.

"They (media) will keep asking him about it and every time you pull open the paper, it will distract him.

"So it is not to allow him to play better footy, it (the management tactic) is (intended) to maximise his earnings, but you know what, he's got that right."

Summer Barometer: Track the Hawks' pre-season here

Hawthorn's premiership odds eased from $4 to $4.50 with Betstar in the wake of the Franklin revelation.

Brereton tipped the athletic goalkicker to remain at Waverley Park beyond 2013, but said the Hawks would have to pay more than they initially expected.

"I would guarantee you this time next year, Buddy will be in pre-season with Hawthorn, but it is going to cost them probably 5-10 per cent more than they envisaged," he said.

"There is always a threat (of Franklin leaving) and always a possibility but I think they will get over the line."

Will Buddy be the next Gary Ablett?

The Hawks are understood to be paying near 100 per cent of their salary cap, making it difficult to accommodate the 196cm powerhouse's beefed-up contract and keep their up-and-coming youngsters.

"They do have a list at the top end which is ageing," Brereton said.

"They have got some 28-year-olds and over so there will be a little bit of wiggle room, so to speak."

Brereton said the Hawks would be in prime spot to contend for a premiership for one or two more seasons.

"They probably should have won the Grand Final but Sydney played better on the day, played at their maximum but Hawthorn didn't," he said.

"Next year will be the same. Hawthorn will be a top-three team but it's whether they can grab one then. I would say they need one next year.

"With the inclusion of Brian Lake, who can play on big forwards, they now would be the best-balanced team."

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Tippett's still got friends in Adelaide

Sydney recruit Kurt Tippett at pre-season training in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph

CONTROVERSIAL Sydney recruit Kurt Tippett talks to Neil Cordy about the Swans, being a villain and his salary-cap ban.

How are you settling into the Swans?

I couldn't be happier. Coming into the team a little bit later than I expected was a little bit daunting. I thought it might be hard to get to know the boys, but they've been incredible in welcoming me.

Did you ever think you wouldn't make it here?

Nothing was certain during the (contract drama) so it was hard to feel confident about my chances of getting to Sydney. It's great that it worked out.

You are the first player since Greg Williams in 1992 to be penalised for a salary-cap breach, do you feel hard done by?

That's a tough question to answer. I feel very fortunate to be in Sydney, where I always wanted to be. In regards to the sanction, it's very disappointing that I can't play and I will find it very hard to sit out the first 11 rounds of this season.

I'm trying to move forward the best I can with the cards I've been dealt. I'll spend all my time and energy trying to play the best I can when I get back.

Your first game back will be in Adelaide against the Power, what are you expecting?

I'll probably be a bit nervous having sat out for so long. I'll be anxious to get out there and put my best foot forward and hit the ground running. It will be a bit of an odd one going back to Adelaide for the first one I play for my new side, but that's the way it is. There will be a lot of things going through my head.

Kurt Tippett leaves the AFL Commission with his legal counsel David Gallbally. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: adelaidenow

Do you think there will be Crows supporters turning up to give you some stick?

Quite possibly. Hopefully there are some people there to support me.

An unnamed Adelaide player said your name was mud and that it would be hard for you to have any relationship with the your former teammates. How do you feel about that?

There was a lot of emotion floating around at that time. It wasn't a perfect situation or a perfect exit from a football
club. It's not the way you would like to leave.

In saying there was a set of circumstances and things evolved in a certain way. It wasn't ideal, I understand
that. But, in moving forward, I don't see why things should change. Friends are friends, teammates are teammates and I think everyone respects and understands why people do certain things, looking after their future and making themselves as happy as they can.

You said when you departed Adelaide that you wanted to maintain contact with your teammates. Have you?

Yes. I played there for six years and have a lot of good friends in Adelaide whether they be teammates or people outside the football club.

How did you feel being cast as the villain?

I didn't enjoy it at all. In challenging times, you learn a lot about yourself.

You're joining the premier, does that make it an even bigger challenge?

I know I'm coming into a very good side and a very well respected side. That's exciting for me because I know I'll get the best out of myself as a footballer. I hope to make this team even better if I can.

Kurt Tippett wrestles with Swans big man Mike Pyke. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

You are going to sit out the first half of the season, how are you going to handle that?

I've had brief discussions about it. I guess the first thing is to prepare like I'm going to play in Round 1.

The intra-club matches will be your only game practice before you play. Does that give them extra importance?

I'm going to concentrate on every session from now until the guys ease back from training into their preparation to play because it's also important for me to learn the way my teammates play and the game plan and the structures.

Each session, I'm really going to treasure because having the whole squad out there training at 100 per cent is not going to happen for very long.
 

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Dane Swan in career-best shape

Dane Swan takes part in match simulation during Collingwood's family day at Victoria Park. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD midfielder Dane Swan says his fitness levels and motivation to perform this season are at career-high levels.

And engine room partner Dale Thomas is confident he will be fit to play in Round 1, despite Nathan Buckley's prediction that ankle surgery will keep the star out of the side for "months".

Thomas said yesterday he intends to begin running next week, while Swan continued his impressive pre-season campaign in the club's hour-long match simulation session at Victoria Park yesterday.

The Brownlow Medalist has been unfazed by criticism of his off-field lifestyle and proved he was in top shape, posting a series of personal best time-trial results over summer.

"It's certainly been one of the best (pre-seasons) for a long time,'' Swan said at the club's family day.

"I came back (from the Christmas break) in reasonably good condition, so that always helps.

"I've just done everything that's been asked of me so far and ran personal bests in all my time-trails, (so there's) not much more I can ask for.''

The Pies served the 28-year-old with a two-game suspension for an alcohol-related indiscretion last year, prompting speculation about his future at the club.

Summer Barometer: Track the Pies' pre-season

But the three-time best-and-fairest winner said he was committed to helping lead the Pies to on-field success this season.

"I actually feel pretty good and feel pretty keen to get back out there, which is probably changed compared to a couple of other pre-seasons,'' he said.

"I just can't wait to get back out there and get amongst it.

"While I've got 'Johnno' (Ben Johnson) and 'Dids' (Alan Didak) here, they make me feel pretty young, because they're getting pretty old, so while I'm here I feel pretty youthful.''

Picture gallery: Collingwood family day

Buckley cast doubt on Thomas's ability to be ready for Round 1 this week but the line-breaker said he wanted to play in the season-opener against North Melbourne.

"It depends who you ask, Nathan said I was a couple of months away, so hopefully I am a bit quicker than that,'' Thomas said.

"(I'm) Aiming for Round 1, so hopefully (I'll) get back running next week, get some decent training in.

"If all goes to plan, (I'll play) Round 1, or hopefully a week or two earlier.''

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Hamstring scare for Judd

Chris Judd is experiencing some tightness in a hamstring. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON will take a "super cautious" approach with champion Chris Judd after a tight right hamstring forced him off the training track on Friday.

The setback reinforced Carlton's decision to rest its former skipper from an intraclub practice match on Wednesday, although they hope Judd will be ready to play in Round 1 of the NAB Cup in Sydney in three weeks.

"It was just some tightness in his right hammy and he felt it coming on so he decided to come off the track," Carlton's general manager of football Andrew McKay said on Sunday.

"The medicos think he'll be fine, we're just going to be super cautious. We'll see how he pulls up. If it doesn't free up in the next couple of days we'll send him off for a scan."

McKay said Judd would be one of several senior players rested from match simulation on Wednesday, the same day the Blues plan to reveal their new clash jumper.

Carlton's opening NAB Cup involvement is a twilight engagement with the Swans and the Giants at Blacktown on February 24.

Meanwhile, Blues ruckman Matthew Kreuzer believes he has learned to listen to his body, and hopes to have put three injury-interrupted seasons behind him.

Knee, hip, foot and muscle injuries have limited Kreuzer to 45 games since 2005, and have at times reduced his effectiveness.

"You don't want to miss a game if you can, so you've just got to cope with it and find ways around it," he told the club website.

"Some weeks you do this and other weeks you do that, and you work out what works best for you. I learnt a lot about how I've got to manage my body, so I'll take a lot of things from last year and put them in place this year.

"It was a tough year but I took a lot out of it. And it was like that for the whole club because we had a lot of injuries and had to play a few players out of position."

Kreuzer, 23, conceded that injury niggles meant he "wasn't the greatest kick" last season, but hopes that will have been addressed by off-season surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee.

"Last year it was just hard to find time to work on it because I was on a tight schedule as to how much (training) I could do during the week," he said.

"Hopefully this year I wont have any of those problems and I can do every session. If that's what happens, I think my kicking will definitely improve, and everything else will too."
 

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