Watters confident Saints are clean

St Kilda coach Scott Watters, left, and captain Nick Riewoldt. Picture: Dustin Bradford. Source: Getty Images

St Kilda coach Scott Watters yesterday admitted the shock and scale of the Australian Crime Commission's explosive report made it difficult to avoid distracting the players.

Watters said the club had addressed the players and staff on their responsibilities to the AFL and the game in general.

"I think initially players need to be informed and we've done that internally. We certainly want our players to be educated and have an understanding of their role and their place within everything that has been discussed," the Saints coach said after the first intraclub practice match at Seaford.

"At the same time, they're here to play footy. That's what they love doing and that's our core business. So, really it is business as usual for us. The footy's a fantastic distraction for a lot of things that happen.

"As a coach, we're very focused on what we do. So, it's about limiting the distractions to our players. Because of the enormity of the stories that are out there, that's a challenge because we're all affected by it.

"Having said that, players want to play, individuals want to get better, coaches want their sides to improve and we'll remain focused on the here and now and ultimately try and make every second count.

"It's a time when the game's being challenged and we need to sit back and have a real close look at it."

Milne stars in Saints' intra-club

Watters said, like everyone, he was shocked by the Australian Crime Commission report that uncovered links between organised crime and performance-enhancing drugs being used by elite athletes.

And the Saints are another AFL club that immediately conducted an internal audit of all daily procedures.

"There has been an enormous amount of opinion and comment on what's gone on. Everyone in the industry, it has caused us to reflect. You wouldn't be human if that's not the case," he said.

"You do look at your internal processes. We're really comfortable and really reassured where we sit, the importance of our doctor being the ultimate filter on anything that happens here, medically. That's something that we've always had, but it certainly brings that into focus.

"It also causes you to look at your staff and we've got staff here that I have full confidence in the ethics they bring to the football club.

"Whilst you always have to be vigilant, we're really comfortable from a process and staff point of view. But it's a testing time for everyone and we're part of that.

"It (ACC report) was certainly some interesting reading. Obviously, we'll all sit back and wait to see where it all goes."

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Cats leaders seek to ease minds

Geelong CEO Brian Cook, along with president Colin Carter, has written a letter to fans. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: Geelong Advertiser

GEELONG has taken the step of writing a letter to its members and supporters to assure them they need not fear an AFL or ASADA investigation into the way the Cats have run their sports science team throughout their recent dominant era.

With Dean Robinson - Essendon's now-suspended high performance manager - having started his career in the AFL at Simonds Stadium, the microscope has been turned on the Cats in recent days.

Robinson worked at Geelong - premiers in 2007, 2009 and 2011 - from 2007 to 2010.

Today, Geelong president Colin Carter and chief executive Brian Cook, who last week assured fans they had nothing to fear, reiterated that view by issuing a joint 'open letter' to fans on the club's website, saying it welcomed the widening investigation by the AFL and ASADA.

"Let me assure you that we have nothing to hide. Our processes are robust and we are confident that they stand up to any examination," the letter said.

"However, we know that this will not be enough for some people who will doubt the legitimacy of the game and are disillusioned. And so, we believe it is important that the story of a club that did everything "by the book" and achieved great success through hard work, professionalism, team work, unity and commitment should be celebrated."

The club leaders were also eager to defend their own medical team, saying many in the sports science team were having their reputations questioned.

Dons, one player in ASADA sights

"We want to make clear that we are proud of our people who work in this area of our club. They make an important and very professional contribution as part of our team," Carter and Cook wrote.

"We cannot comment on how other clubs operate but we can assure you that it is our doctors who directly determine all treatments and the use of all supplements by our players. We believe our protocols are best practice and that is why we are confident in our position."

The Cats' bosses said they were looking forward to erasing any doubt from the outside world, but more importantly easing the minds of supporters.

"We are confident that when the dust settles on this investigation we will be seen as we have been in recent years - a successful club that goes about its business in the right way."

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Dons investigation may take months

Gill McLachlan, AFL's CEO fronts the press to relay the latest information regarding AFL clubs and players under scrutiny.

The AFL says it is aware of only two specific cases where players or clubs may have breached the league's WADA code.

AFL deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan addresses the media on Sunday. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON are set to start the AFL season under a cloud of suspicion, with an investigation into the potential use of performance-enhancing drugs by multiple Bombers players likely to take months to complete.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed on Sunday Essendon was the one AFL club being investigated for possible multiple breaches of the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) code following the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report.

"I think it's reasonable to say, given that the Essendon football club has come forward to the AFL and to ASADA, and proactively advised us of concerns they have, it's reasonable to talk to that," McLachlan said.

"The AFL is aware of potential multiple breaches at that club."

A single player from another club was also being investigated, although McLachlan refused to reveal his identity.

Bookies suspend bets on Bombers

"The AFL is aware of one case involving the possibility of WADA prohibited performance-enhancing drug use by one player at one club," McLachlan said.

"The AFL is aware that a second case involves the possibility of WADA prohibited performance-enhancing drug use by multiple players at one club.

"In this case it's possible that players were administered the WADA prohibited substances without their knowledge or consent."

The Bombers play the opening match of the home and away season against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on March 22.

It was unlikely the investigations into alleged drug abuse at Essendon and by the other player would be completed by then.

Cats' bosses write letter to fans

"It's not going to be as quick as everyone would like," McLachlan said.

"The reality is that the investigators, which is ultimately ASADA in partnership with the AFL, have to get the right answers and that will take as long as it takes.

"It's more likely to be months rather than weeks."

That means that if Essendon or any of their players are found guilty of doping breaches, any penalties would be imposed after the season had begun.

AFL vows to save our game

Essendon went to the AFL with concerns over supplement use before the ACC handed down their report on Thursday.

But it was not until Sunday, when federal Justice Minister Jason Clare said any AFL or NRL clubs under suspicion could out themselves, that the AFL confirmed Essendon were the club named in the ACC report for alleged multiple breaches.

"We've given the names of the clubs to both the NRL and the AFL," Clare said.

"And the NRL and the AFL have asked for permission to tell the clubs that are affected by the investigation."

Watters confident Saints are clean

McLachlan said the AFL was also aware of other cases involving illicit, but not performance-enhancing, drug use.

But the league had not been warned of any specific instances of suspected match fixing in AFL competition.

Minister for Home Affairs Jason Clare admits that players have come forward in relation to doping, following the ACC's damaging report.

 

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Cameron quits Richmond

Craig Cameron has quit Richmond. Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND football boss Craig Cameron has quit to join the racing industry.

Cameron is understood to have been contemplating the switch for some time and informed the Tigers over the weekend that he will be joining BC3 Thoroughbreds.

The Tigers are confident his departure will not impact the club's start to the new season.

Cameron joined the Tigers in 2007 from Melbourne where he'd been the Demons chief recruiting officer.
 

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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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