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

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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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