Suns link in Bombers drugs probe

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.

Essendon high performance manager Dean Robinson with coach James Hird. Robinson worked at the Suns in 2011. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE Suns are bracing themselves for an audit of their physical development programs because the two key sport scientists at the centre of the Essendon supplement scandal both spent time at the Gold Coast club in 2011.

Investigations have been launched into the supplement taking regime at the Bombers under sports science guru Steve Dank and Essendon high performance manager Dean Robinson.

The Suns are prepared to assist the AFL if investigators find a need to go over the club's 2011 practices.

Dank, who worked previously at five NRL clubs in NSW including Manly during their 2008 premiership season, left the Bombers at the end of last season amid the fallout from an injury epidemic.

Yesterday he was cast as the main player in a supplement regime that has engulfed the club.

Robinson, stood down by Essendon last night, was a key member of the Geelong off-field team in premiership years 2007 and 2009.

He left Geelong midway through 2010 before working at Gold Coast for the 2011 season.

Geelong last night declared they would co-operate with the ASADA-AFL inquiry into the use of supplements at Essendon.

Robinson moved to Essendon for the 2012 season on the recommendation of Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson, who had arrived a year earlier to be assistant Bombers coach.

For six seasons from 2004, Dank worked under Manly coach Des Hasler.

Dank's most radical manoeuvre at Manly came in 2008, when reports emerged that Manly players were being injected with calf blood.ntsG The bovine booster is permitted under the anti-doping code if injected into body tissue or muscle.nte

A well-placed Manly insider yesterday said that issues began to emerge when at least one player was asked to have the injections administered intravenously.

At the Suns, Dank was a part-time consultant for about three months at the end of 2010, the summer before they entered the AFL.

Suns insiders say he was at the club six or seven times in total, mainly advising on setting up their program, and had minimal contact with players.

Dank was not involved in administering or distributing any supplements.

The Suns say they have nothing to worry about from his time at the club.

However if Robinson, his boss at Essendon and the Suns, is found to have been involved in any malpractice, the Suns accept they will be forced to review the sport science practices under his 12 month tenure at the club.

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SuperCoach spotto

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

Shane Crawford tries to piece together his SuperCoach line-up. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

HERE are 10 things you're guaranteed to see this SuperCoach season - and a few possible eyebrow-raisers.

The biggest and best fantasy sports game in Australia creates plenty of drama on the field - and in offices and living rooms around the country as head-to-head battles are settled every weekend.

Every year SuperCoach springs surprises on us, but there are some things you can pretty much guarantee will happen at some stage of the year.

As if SuperCoach wasn't fun enough on its own, keep a scoreboard of how many of these you spot in 2013:

Monday payback - 30 points
A printed sign attached a victim's computer, a note on their office door or a cardboard cutout of the player that cost them a win in their private league. Extra points for creativity.

Rookie revelation - 25 points
There's one every year. Think Dayne Zorko, Tendai Mzungu and Michael Barlow. The player who starts the year at a bargain basement price and scores like a $600,000 star. Who will it be this year?

Psych-out humble pie - 30 points
The coach who goes the early crow after Eddie Betts scores 140 on Friday night then it all comes unglued over the course of the weekend. Usually very quiet in the office on Monday morning.

Trade guzzler - 25 points
The coach in your private league who throws caution (and often logic) to the wind, trading like a crazy person to try to fix a struggling line-up. Usually in huge trouble by about Round 14.

Red vest rage - 10 points
Expect to tick this off multiple times, potentially even over the course of each round. Caused by a rookie carrying the hopes of a team starting as the sub. Luckily the new rolling lockout means we have a chance to move the sub to the bench this year.

Yellow vest despair - 20 points
Related condition caused by a key player (usually someone your private league opponent doesn't have) being subbed off or injured during a game.

Heart before head - 25 points
When a decision on who to include in your team, who to trade, who to start on the fiend and even who to make captain is unduly influenced by the team they play for. In one extreme case a private league opponent fielded a squad entirely made up of Collingwood players. Rarely ends well.

Shoe into TV - 60 points
Often seen during the final match of the round when a bad decision on the field causes SuperCoach disaster. An example I witnessed involved a coach set to win a private league nailbiter until Cyril Rioli was moved into the centre bounce and gave away a controversial free kick just seconds before the final siren.

SuperFooty LiveHQ on the iPad. Picture: Manuela Cifra Source: Herald Sun

Rough diamond - 40 points
The left-field selection made by your private league opponent that has you laughing in disbelief before Justin Koschitzke kicks eight goals and condemns you to more SuperCoach pain. You won't miss this one - the victim will tell his tale of woe to anyone who'll listen.

Superstar scramble - 50 points
It's six weeks into the season and the bold move to start the year without Gary Ablett is hurting you big time. Plan A, B and C is to get the little master into your side - any way you can. Ablett's name can be substituted for Lance Franklin, Dean Cox or whoever is scoring the house down. This condition is often characterised by frenetic use of calculators, talk about "break-evens" and abandoning other players this coach had previously staked their season on.

Trade timing disaster - 35 points
You save up for weeks to afford a star player only for him to pull his hamstring the next week. In a related condition the player is re-assigned to tagging roles, ensuring you recruited him at his highest possible price (usually accompanied by the player you offloaded racking up big scores he could never achieve when he was on your roster).

The anchor - 35 points
A rookie selected at the start of the year who doesn't play enough games to go up in value and is stuck on your bench through the whole season. Relton Roberts, Cameron Richardson and Harry Cunningham have upheld the tradition in recent years.

Cold turkey - 60 points
When a coach swears he will never pick a player again. Inspired by the likes of Shaun Higgins, Greg Broughton and Jack Grimes. Victims very prone to relapses.

Theme team - 75 points
A SuperCoach side picked for reasons that have nothing to do with scoring potential. One team last year consisted of players only with the first name Jack (the one exception was Sydney midfielder Kieren Jack). Another side had the unusual selection criteria of only picking Indigenous players and redheads.

Triple trade player - 100 points
Trading the same player in and out of your team on three separate occasions in the one season. Something I thought would never happen until I did it with Cyril Rioli in 2011.

Private league grand final loser mowing neighbour's lawn in his wife's wedding dress - 1000 points
Just hope it isn't you.

For more SuperCoach news and tips during the pre-season, follow Al Paton on Twitter: @al_superfooty

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Players face two-year bans

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.

Essendon players could face lengthy bans if found guilty of doping. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: HWT Image Library

ESSENDON must be casting a rueful eye across its 2013 membership slogan: "We are doing whatever it takes."

If several Bombers players are found to have used a substance that breaches the anti-doping code, they face the prospect of at least one and possibly two years out of the game.

The standard contract of a player spells out they must comply with the code, which is "integral to the AFL's integrity". The players' association spells it out on its literature about the code: "Using a performance-enhancing drug or method to improve athletic performance is cheating."

The standard sanction for using substances that are performance-enhancing, or which "violate the spirit of the sport" is a two-year ban.

Should the players admit to violating the code, however, "and that admission is the only reliable evidence of the violation at the time of the admission", the penalty can be reduced by half.

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It is believed the Essendon players were asked to sign waiver forms regarding treatment they received, and that several had grave reservations. But neither that, nor ignorance, would absolve them of any responsibility for using banned substances.

The terms of the AFL's investigation of Essendon are yet to be established.

As the acting head of football operations, Gillon McLachlan will oversee the league's involvement, and integrity officer Brett Clothier will work closely with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

Under the AFL's rules any player, official or administrator must co-operate with the investigation, which Essendon has flagged its intention to do.

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

A spokesman for ASADA said it was "premature to speculate about what action will be taken before the investigation is concluded".

Apart from individual sanctions, the AFL has broad powers under its rules to penalise a club should it be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.

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Blues in bid to make MCG home

Carlton star Marc Murphy models the Blues new clash strip. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON wants to make the MCG its primary home ground as part of a bold bid to re-establish itself as an on and off-field power.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Blues are intent on signing a deal to play up to eight games a year at the AFL mecca when their contract with Etihad Stadium expires at the end of 2014.

Carlton today will unveil its new clash jumper, incorporating a more traditional navy blue and white look, at the club's first intra-club practice match of 2013 at Visy Park from 10am.

The new strip - which ditches the controversial pale blue design - co-incides with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship extension with confectionary giant Mars.

The Blues' plan to become a tenant club of the MCG - at the end of its 150th year celebration next season - could depend on the strength of its membership base when venue talks heat up mid-year.

Carlton has more than 33,000 members but could need more than 50,000 to play the bulk of its home matches at the MCG from 2015.

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Chief executive Greg Swann said the club's ability to convert its supporters into members this season was crucial to the MCG deal.

"In comparison to some of the other clubs, it's a bit of a stone in our shoe, because we think we have got hundreds of thousands of supporters out there," Swann told the Herald Sun.

"We think if we can push it and head towards 60,000 (members) like some of the other clubs it just gives us a bigger bargaining chip when we sit down with Etihad and the AFL and everybody else for that matter about getting more home games at the 'G.

"So it's a big year for us."

Swann said increased exposure to blockbuster games with near capacity crowds at the MCG would benefit the team and the club's bottom line.

"Etihad has been fantastic. But if we want to get back up the ladder and playing deep into finals, the MCG is the place where all those big games are and the big crowds are, and we want to be part of it as often as we can," he said.

"When we play big blockbusters we nearly fill the place (MCG), so to get there more regularly will help us with membership and sponsorship and everything else that comes with it. Financially it's a better equation for us."

 Swan said MCG powerbrokers were supportive of the Blues' pitch.

Collingwood, Melbourne, Hawthorn and Richmond are the MCG's tenant clubs.

The Blues have a 10-year agreement to play six games a season at Etihad.

Swan yesterday welcomed the Mars extension, which secures its place on the front of the Carlton jumper for away games and the back for home games.

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Wary Blues to rest stars

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 will not be risked in Carlton's intraclub practice match at Visy Park today.

Judd (hamstring) and Waite (calf) were among eight senior players ordered to rest for coach Mick Malthouse's first full-scale rehearsal with the Blues.

Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson, Matthew Kreuzer and Heath Scotland will also sit out the shortened match.

Malthouse will oversee the game. Rob Wiley, director of coaching and development, and Luke Webster, coach of VFL affiliate Northern Blues, will take charge of the two teams.

Judd, who has stood down as captain, Waite, draftee Troy Menzel (hip) and defender Andrew McInnes (knee reconstruction) are the only players forced out by injuries.

It's a far healthier player list than last year when the depleted Blues lost all of their NAB Cup matches, to Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs, and a practice match to North Melbourne.

Football operations manager Andrew McKay said Judd, Waite and Menzel would have game time in NAB Cup matches.

"Troy is just adjusting to training loads," McKay said. "Obviously, it's a big change compared to what he's used to and we're just monitoring him. He has a little bit of hip aggravation and we don't want him to go too hard too early."

AFL field and boundary umpires will control the game, which will be the first to trial the deliberate out of bounds rule under which a player hands possession to the opposition if he is the last to kick, handball or run the ball over the line.

On player experiments, McKay said: "There will be a few thrown around in different positions. (Jeff) Garlett, (Chris) Yarran and (Bryce) Gibbs and those boys will have a go onball at different times."

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Dons injected at secret locations

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.

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

Artwork: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON players were taken away from the club and injected with unknown substances by sports science staff last season.

The Herald Sun can 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 the club's performance scientist, Stephen 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 club high performance manager Dean 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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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."

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.

REPLAY our chat of the press conference coverage below

IF YOU'RE ON A MOBILE DEVICE, CLICK HERE TO READ OUR LIVE COVERAGE

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Doping expert's scrutiny warning

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.

Essendon bosses Ian Robson, David Evans and James Hird fronted the media yesterday. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

THE great unknown of what is actually in supplements is the biggest danger to professional athletes.

A leading anti-doping expert has warned that because supplements aren't produced in a controlled environment, like medication, there are risks involved.

"The main problem is that because it's not controlled like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) controls medications, you don't know 100 per cent what is in them," former World Anti-Doping Agency director Nicki Vance said.

The pharmacist to the stars

"If you look at the WADA website and ASADA (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority) website, all the anti-doping organisations will have a blanket statement that you use supplements at your own risk.

"That's the general rule of thumb from all anti-doping organisations."

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Vance said some major sports, including cycling teams, worked closely with organisations - including leading university laboratories - to prepare appropriate supplements.

"That way they know they have got nothing banned in them," she said.

"You look at what happened with the BALCO stuff in the US, where in Salt Lake City there were a lot of drug manufacturers there making supplements.

"They might make one batch of supplements which are perfectly all right but they don't have to be so controlled so the next batch happens to be done after a batch of anabolic steroids (has just been produced) for example."

Vance said it was debatable how useful supplements would be for AFL footballers.

Bombers players make their way off the MCG in 2012. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"You talk to one nutritionist and they might say it is a very expensive urine," she said. "If you don't need something generally it is just a waste product and will go straight through.

"But you will find others who will say if you are working at a very hard level, like in Aussie rules, they may have an iron deficiency so there might be some very legitimate use of medication done in the appropriate way."

ASADA CEO Aurora Andruska spoke with the Essendon Football Club yesterday and immediately appealed for people involved to come forward.

"Every bit of information, no matter how little, could be a piece of a puzzle that uncovers doping in sport," an ASADA spokesman said.

"It would be premature to speculate about what action will be taken before the investigation is concluded."

The standard ban, according to the WADA code for using performance-enhancing drugs, is two years, though that can vary.

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Demetriou says no excuses

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.

The Bombers make their way up the race before a match last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Artwork: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON players and officials can be penalised under the AFL's Anti-Doping Code even if they were not aware banned substances were being used.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said last night: "There are no excuses."

The football world was rocked yesterday by a confession from Essendon that it had called on the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to investigate possible inappropriate use of supplements by players.

The club last night stood down high performance manager Dean "The Weapon" Robinson, pending the outcome of investigations.

Editorial: Drugs menace is a great game

Performance scientist Stephen Dank, known as "The Pharmacist", worked with Robinson at Gold Coast Suns.

He advised Robinson when Robinson was at Geelong, but left Essendon last year after dissatisfaction with his performance.

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 Robinson was recruited to the Bombers on the recommendation of assistant coach Mark Thompson. The pair had worked together in the Cats' premierships years of 2007 and 2009, Thompson as coach.

The Bombers denied knowledge of the use of banned performance-enhancing substances, but Demetriou stressed that would not save them if found guilty.

It emerged players had been given injections last year away from the club's Windy Hill headquarters.

Some players allegedly were asked to sign waiver forms surrounding the use of supplements.

The pharmacist to the stars

 Demetriou first discussed the revelations with Essendon on Monday before club chairman David Evans and chief executive Ian Robson met AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier and league No.2 Gillon McLachlan yesterday.

"This is a minefield ... we've received information that's concerned us," Evans said.Calling for calm on a potentially disastrous day for the Bombers and the AFL, Demetriou said rules were strict.

The Bombers make their way up the race before a match last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority regulations mirror the World Anti-Doping Authority standard - players and officials can face up to a two-year ban for a first offence.

"Under the ASADA rules, whether you knew or not it's no excuse ... they are the WADA rules," Demetriou said. "Under the rules, the way they are structured at the moment, which all world sport has to follow, they apply to officials and under our rules they can apply to a club.

"In relation to WADA, when it comes to rules, and the rules are pretty specific, and other people have abused them ... but these guys get educated every year and they know before they ingest anything or take anything, and if you have any doubt, you ring the hotline or ring your doctor."

Demetriou would not speculate on possible bans.

"People should not jump to conclusions," he said.

"They 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."

The AFL Players' Association last night backed the AFL-ASADA inquiry.

"Clubs providing players with supplements and directions as to their players' training requirements have a significant responsibility and, in our view, any concerns regarding the nature of such directions ought to be treated with the utmost seriousness," chief executive Matt Finnis said.

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Sacked Essendon staffer worked for NRL premiers

Sports scientist Steve Dank with the NRL's Manly Sea Eagles at training. Source: news.com.au

• Supplements scandal at AFL's Essendon
• Implicated sports scientist worked with NRL's Manly
• No suggestion any wrongdoing at Manly

THE sports scientist at the centre of a probe into AFL club Essendon was part of the medical team for the Manly Sea Eagles during its 2008 NRL premiership-winning season.

Essendon today called on the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to help investigate the club's 2012 fitness program, after receiving new information about supplements given to players.

Stephen Dank, a sports scientist implicated in administering supplements at the club, will be at the centre of the investigation.

He was sacked by the Bombers in 2012.

A Manly Sea Eagles spokesperson confirmed to news.com.au that Mr Dank had been part of the Eagles' sports science staff. There is no suggestion Mr Dank was involved in any wrongdoing at Manly.

An article published in Sydney's Daily Telegraph in 2008 reported that Mr Dank was a "suited Sydney physiologist who attends every Manly training session".

Mr Dank "travels the globe, employs three assistants and refuses to share his knowledge with anyone," the article said.

Essendon sacked Mr Dank amid concerns about his conduct with players.

The Bombers received information over the past 48 hours about supplements used in 2012 which club chairman David Evans said was "concerning".

Mr Evans called on ASADA and the AFL to assist an investigation into the use of the supplements.

In 2012, the Bombers slipped from second to 10th on the AFL ladder in 11 weeks.

Mr 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.

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

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

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

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

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