Chris McDermott: Fall on sword Hird

The buck stops with Essendon coach James Hird. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MAKE absolutely no mistake - you will be caught. That's the promise from AFL headquarters after the Australian Crime Commission's explosive revelations regarding drug cheats in Australian sport.

Problem is we've heard it all before. And despite boasting world's best practice in the fight against drugs, the reality is the AFL has anything but.

Its Integrity Unit established in 2008 to protect the game has proven to be insipid at best, an abject failure at worst.

The AFL has not fumbled the ball, it has lost sight of it. The game of Australian rules at the highest level has rarely been in worse shape.

It beggars belief that the practices revealed at Essendon Football Club this week by the Melbourne media could have gone unnoticed by everyone at AFL House. This is surely a case of gross negligence by trusted members of the game's governing body and those heads must be held accountable as much as those involved with the administering of substances legal or otherwise.

The AFL says ignorance is no defence for players choosing to put unknown substances in their body. It can be no defence for them either.

Sadly the first head to roll might have to be one the biggest in the game.

James Hird, coach of Essendon, must be held to account for his role in the debacle at Windy Hill even if the substances involved are found to be legal. That he has allowed his players, almost to a man, to be used like guinea pigs without comprehension of what he was asking them to do is the worst football decision he will make and it could be a career changer.

It was not long ago the Brisbane Lions were banned from intravenously rehydrating their players under medical supervision because it wasn't a good look for the game.

Off-site injecting rooms have far greater implications and cannot go unpunished.

Despite suggestions injections were not forced on players, mob mentality is strong inside a football change room and young players would have felt obliged to participate in the practice after their coach condoned it.

It is abuse of his position at the very least - and the sight of Essendon's press conference with chairman, CEO and coach minus any Bomber logos, colours or sponsors was clear indication their issue is far greater than suspect supplements.

The AFL has pleaded for voluntary confessions rather than forced ones, so Hird may well be best served falling on his sword and admitting misuse of his powers in the hope of returning to the game in some fashion in the not-too-distant future.

By Hird's own admission as coach the buck stops with him. The 253-game dual-premiership player, Brownlow medallist, Norm Smith medallist, five-time All-Australian, AFL hall of famer and former club captain might have to make one more sacrifice for his team in the hope others follow suit.

Australians are by nature a forgiving mob to those that admit fault and in time Hird will be welcomed back with open arms, but choose the Lance Armstrong method of deny, deny, deny and in the public's eye a life sentence could await.

As powerful as the ACC's findings were, talk is cheap and villains must be identified and, where appropriate, arrests must follow.

The sporting public of Australia is currently left with more questions than answers. Quick action by the law enforcers is needed to protect the innocent as much as to catch the guilty.

Thursday February 7, 2013, has been labelled the blackest day in Australian sport history.

A nation so proud of its sports heroes has been left to question every one of them and every team they cheer.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou pleaded with fans yesterday "not to lose faith in the sport".

Too late, she cried, for some.

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Rich puts hand up for co-captaincy

Captaincy material? Midfielder Daniel Rich goes through his paces as the Brisbane Lions train at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE midfielder Daniel Rich says it would be a "huge honour" to be appointed Lions co-captain.

Rich, along with Tom Rockliff, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock and Joel Patfull, is a leading contender for the post created by Jonathan Brown stepping down from the sole captaincy to help usher in a new generation of leadership.

The 22-year-old said he would relish the opportunity to work alongside Brown if given the chance.

"To be able to learn from Brownie would be huge because it is not like you are being thrown in the deep end," Rich said.

"It is a massive responsibility for whoever gets the job but also a huge honour." Adcock, who has filled in for Brown when the skipper has been unavailable in recent years, says he still has plenty to offer.

"If the position came up for me, I'd love to do it but in saying that there is a really good crop of players that could take that role," he said. "I'm only 27, I hope I'm not too old."

The Lions are expected to name the co-captain before their first NAB Cup fixture on February 23.

Meanwhile utility Brent Staker has had a hiccup with his comeback from a knee reconstruction. He will undergo a precautionary arthriscope procedure tomorrow on the knee that was not reconstructed.

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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."

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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Prized Giants safe from rivals

GWS Giants' 2011 No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton has committed to the club. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

GREATER Western Sydney is on the verge of re-contracting some of its most prized young players, helping safeguard its glittering list from a poaching raid.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal three of its top-four picks from the 2011 national draft, including top selection Jon Patton, 19, have agreed to re-sign with the Giants.

The man Richmond made a big play for last year, inside midfielder Dom Tyson (No.3), line-breaking wingman Will Hoskin-Elliott (No.4) and versatile big man Aidan Corr (No.14, 2012 draft) have all made commitments to stay. 

The club, which made welcome progress on the deals on Friday, want to make an announcement about the youngsters' agreements in the coming weeks.

But a deal for last year's No. 1 pick Lachie Whitfield has not yet been finalised. The Giants are confident of extending terms before the end of the year.

The commitments are a major coup for the club, as it strives to keep its batch of youngsters safe from rival advances.

It is believed the youngsters either will or have signed for another two years, tying them to the club until 2015.

It is known the Giants fledgling young stars have raved about their relationship with GWS's new senior assistant coach Leon Cameron, who replaced Mark Williams late last year.

A source said Cameron's impact on GWS's first to third year players in particular has been "significant".

The Tigers, where Williams is now a development coach, made a major bid to snare the highly-rated Tyson, 19, last year, offering their first round draft pick for the prolific ball-winner.

Tyson has been laid low by a posterior ligament injury, but has been carefully managed by the Giants to help the Oakleigh prodigy return about mid-season.

Patton, the hulking key forward, has also been widely hunted but is set to stay at the Giants, helping make one of the formidable burgeoning big man partnerships with Jeremy Cameron.

Patton has been linked to Hawthorn, as a potential replacement option for Lance Franklin, if the out-of-contract All-Australian leaves Waverley.

The new contract agreements are a major accomplishment for Giants bosses, led by CEO David Matthews, list manager Steve Silvagni and veteran football manager Graeme Allan.

Despite the interest of Victorian clubs, the Giants have made an excellent start to keeping their list together.

A GWS spokesman said the club was happy with its list management progress as the club approached its second AFL season.

"Developing and retaining our best talent is a key priority for the GIANTS," the spokesman said.

"Last year we re-signed 13 players, including seven of our eight NAB Rising Star nominations, to long term agreements.

"We are not in a position to comment on any other players because nothing has been finalised at this stage but it will remain a key priority for the club as the year progresses."

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Warnock desperate to make impact

Robbie Warnock in action. He faces stiff competition for a spot in the side this season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

WHEN he gets his hand on the ball, Robbie Warnock makes things happen. The problem is he doesn't make them happen enough.

Warnock, 26, has only played more than 12 games in a season once (20 in 2011) since first playing with Fremantle in 2007.

A career that has promised so much is in danger of delivering little and the 206cm left-footer knows it. And it won't be easy as he enters 2013 in a desperate race for a rucking spot given Matthew Kreuzer and Shaun Hampson are at the club.

Kreuzer, fit and well, will presumably take the number one role leaving Warnock head to head with Hampson, given coach Mick Malthouse is prepared to play two ruckmen if their form and hardness at the contest warrants it.

At 206cm the former Brighton Grammarian is one of the tallest in the game (Aaron Sandilands is number one at 2011cm) but height alone won't put him in front of Kreuzer or Hampson.

"We've all had our time in the sun as number one ruckman at different stages. We haven't all been fit at the same time so it will be interesting to see what they do. If we are all up and playing well then it's out of our hands," said Warnock from Carlton's community camp in Bendigo.

Last year he played just five matches, averaging 32 hit-outs to place him fifth in the competition. But the key to Warnock was his number one ranking on the hit-outs to advantage table.

It's why his midfielders like roving to him, plus Warnock isn't out of the contest once the aerial work has ended judging by his four clearances per game (2nd best of the top 10 hit-out winners).

He also won 74 per cent of his possessions in a contest, second only to the predictable figure of Nic Natainui. But none of the above will guarantee a game under a new coach named Michael Malthouse.

Warnock, who is a clear thinker, wasn't totally sure what to expect when Malthouse arrived although he knew he was a winner.

"I find him a great communicator. He actually keeps things pretty basic and as much as that might sound not smart, I think it is (smart) to a degree. He just doesn't over-complicate it," said Warnock.

"And his record speaks for itself. He took the Bulldogs a long way in the 1980s (3rd in 1985), the Eagles to finals every year (10 seasons) including two premierships from three Grand Finals and then Collingwood from 15th to 9th to a Grand Final.

"He has the runs on the board and is very clear on what he wants.When you speak to him it is obvious he knows what has to be done."

What Malthouse desires at Carlton is for at least two of Warnock, Kreuzer and Hampson to play in the same team, with Levi Casboult a chance to play as a forward who can go into the ruck. Sam Rowe and Luke Mitchell will have the chance to secure a key forward spot which would allow Jarrad Waite to use to his aerobic ability rather than being constantly bashed in pack marking situations.

Warnock knows he is third in the pecking order when it comes to being effective up forward, although he figures if he's rucking well enough it won't matter as much.

"Ruck is my preferred position. You do have to go forward these days the way the game is going but if you are number one ruckman then you will play 70 per cent of the time," he said.

"My season last year was slow to start after double shoulder surgery, then I came back and did my hammy, played a couple then hurt my shoulder again. I knew I was unprepared."

Last season his three year contract with the Blues had finished prompting speculation he could find a third AFL club over summer with up to four teams showing interest. Warnock decided to end speculation by re-signing during the year.

It was an act of faith in a place he believes is going places, claiming expectations this season are "limitless".

"The facilities are great, our playing list is really talented. If things click I really believe we can have some success and I want to be part of it. Our staff, medical, assistant coaches are all very good. We have no limitations on where we can finish," said Warnock.

"But you don't know what can happen so all you can worry about is week to week. When you see blokes play consistently, be injury free, then you will improve. You have to be on the track session after session, you can't do it in the weights room."

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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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AFL close to tank probe result

AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan says the league is close to finalising its tanking investigation. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE will be sweating on the AFL handing down the findings of its tanking probe as early as next week.

AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan this morning revealed the seven-month investigation was coming to an end.

"I'll make a decision by the end of next week which way we're going," McLachlan told Triple M.

"(The investigation) will come to a head in the next week."

McLachlan confirmed Demons bosses met with the league yesterday.

Melbourne is accused of throwing its 2009 Round 18 fixture against Richmond to secure a priority draft pick.

The Demons, who finished the season with four wins, recruited Tom Scully and Jack Trengove with the first two picks of the 2009 draft.

Melbourne president Don McLardy said the high-profile investigation had a "massive" impact on the club.

"We respect the AFL's right to protect the integrity of the game. We have and will continue to defend the integrity of the Melbourne Football Club in the strongest possible fashion," McLardy told members at the club's annual general meeting last Wednesday.

"And for anyone to suggest our players did not give their all every time they ran on the field, is not acceptable to us."

Meanwhile, Melbourne stands to lose $5m in pokies revenue if the club is found guilty by the AFL of tanking allegations.

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'The Pharmacist' set to tell all

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Robbo - The ugly day when belief died

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

AFL, NRL 'allowed cheating to fester'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Melksham breaks hand at intra-club

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Jumping Jack jets home sick

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Trafficker worked with Hird in 2004

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The relationship was never more than that."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlie Bezzina: Essendon probe must be exhaustive

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Fox: Get it done before Round 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fox said Hawthorn stands ready to help any investigation.

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

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

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

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

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

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Hawks lend helping hand

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge gets his hands dirty working for Blazeaid in Tasmania's bushfire-affected Connelly's Marsh region. Picture: Roger Lovell Source: The Mercury

HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge led a player charge to help Tasmania's bushfire affected communities.

The Hawks were already planning to do the rounds in Tasmania during this week's community camp prior to January's devastating fires, but changed tact once the enormity of the disaster became clear.

A text from Hodge to club chief executive Stuart Fox during the players' holidays set plans in motion and on Thursday a group of Hawks got their hands dirty -- and legs bloodied -- to help repair fences in the farming community of Connelly's Marsh.

"I think everyone was pretty keen to get down and help where we can,'' Hodge said.

"We've got such a tight bond with Tasmania and as soon as you hear anything that's happened with the guys down here you automatically think you want to get down and help.

"You don't actually realise the impact the recent fires had on the people down here until you get out on the roads and see it for yourself, see all the land that's been burnt and driving past houses that are gone.

"We just want to help a little bit, clean up a bit of their property. It's only little but we do as much as we can.

"I guess it's also just to let everyone know that we are thinking of them and anything we can do we will to try and help.''

Hawthorn, in consultation with the Tasmanian government, identified the areas most in need of support throughout their three-day Tasmanian sojourn.

Players based in Hobart will also visit Sorrell, Dodges Ferry, Cambridge and Dunnalley.

While Victorians paused to reflect on the fourth anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires, Fox said it was important to keep Tasmania's recent fire victims in mind.

"This is our 11th year of coming down here for our community camp and we take it pretty seriously, Tasmania, and we're very proud of our partnership,'' Fox said.

"So when we come down we try and work hard spread our wings and get to as many people as we can but this year has been more of a focus on the bushfire effected areas, although we do have blokes in Launceston and on the east and west coasts.

"We don't come down here just to kick a few footballs around and shake some hands ... when we come down we want some genuine engagement.''

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'I couldn't live with guilt': Brown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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AFL changes policy after crisis meeting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Australian sport's darkest day

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

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

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

How the codes responded

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

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

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

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

Key points that stunned a nation

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

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

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

- with Gilbert Gardiner

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Dons ignored needle concerns

Essendon players train at Tullamarine yesterday in the wake of the drugs scandal embroiling the club. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

SOME Essendon players were forced to continue taking injections against their will last season - despite voicing mid-year objections.

As the probe into Essendon's controversial supplements practices deepened yesterday, it emerged a group of players was told it was club policy to continue the "experimental" practice despite complaints.

Sources said players known to be deeply troubled by the injections were told they would continue as it was a team strategy.

The Essendon players, led by skipper Jobe Watson, yesterday met the AFL Players' Association and were briefed on their rights and the risks of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority-AFL probe.

They were told ignorance was no excuse if they had taken illegal substances.

The players' union is expected to engage a QC to oversee the matter.

Bombers coach James Hird talked to the players before training at Tullamarine.

The Herald Sun can reveal at least four Essendon players sought independent advice last year from a senior sports administration figure about the consent forms they were asked to sign while taking the supplements.

Recently retired Essendon onballer Mark McVeigh was adamant the club had done nothing wrong, saying he had taken only vitamins.

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

Players were told that while it was pushing boundaries, the supplement program was legal and would help aid performance, boost recovery and help players sleep better.

As Geelong and the Gold Coast distanced themselves from the controversy despite links to Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank, rival clubs scrutinised their own medical departments.

The AFL continues to search for evidence of the practice across other clubs, including whether Dank had personal clients from across the competition.

Hird reiterated his confidence in the club's compliance with WADA.

Asked yesterday if he had confidence in stood-down high-performance manager Dean Robinson, Hird said: "I have confidence in our processes at our footy club that we'd get it right.

"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."

Club veteran Dustin Fletcher said: "I'm not too fussed about it, the boys upstairs will deal with it."

Former Port Adelaide captain Warren Tredrea yesterday revealed he was offered banned substances during his playing career by an individual outside the club.

"But I went and got it tested and came back with three illegal drugs in it," Tredrea said.
 

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Magic Mick just the trick

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse talks to Andrew Walker during yesterday's intra-club match at Visy Park. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

IT was situation normal at Carlton's intra-club practice match yesterday with one distinct difference.

The normal included Brock McLean bringing his own ball and Andrew Walker performing party tricks.

The difference was a grey-haired, fit-looking 59-year-old standing on centre wing, a man who has coached 662 AFL games in 28 seasons with three different clubs.

That person was Mick Malthouse, someone who has Visy Park buzzing after long periods of indifference since the glory of a premiership season in 1995 when the Blues won 23 games.

Andrew Carazzo, in a three-way race for the captaincy vacated by Chris Judd, admitted playing for the first time in front of Malthouse added another dimension.

"The guys are really excited to get into the games and feed off his passion and energy. He has a real presence about him and his success speaks for itself. It's a very exciting time for us," he said.

Malthouse has been careful to keep expectations in-house although privately anything short of September action will be deemed a failure, with the optimistic believing top four is not unrealistic given a good run with injury and improvement.

The latter has to come from players such as Matthew Watson, who looked composed down back yesterday, and Kane Lucas, whose career stalled last year but was prolific on a wing yesterday.

Ruckmen Robbie Warnock and Shaun Hampson, who are locked in a battle for the second rucking position behind Matthew Kreuzer, were both impressive but in different ways.

Warnock is one the smarter tap-ruckmen in the game, whereas Hampson delivers an infectuous energy.

Up forward, Levi Casboult, Luke Mitchell and Sam Rowe showed glimpses on a day where swirling winds made it difficult for marking.

Of that trio, 25-year-old Rowe impressed most with his ability to get to contests and compete, plus displaying recovery that suggests he has returned well after last year being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Andrew Collins, given another chance via the rookie draft, is another who needs a break-out season and might be on track after a solid hit-out, while Rhys O'Keeffe, 22, may well be a SuperCoach smokey.

Of the new faces, 2012 Morrish medal winner Nick Graham impressed through the midfield, suggesting the pick 54 Carlton used on the Gippsland Power 18-year-old may prove a bargain.

Bryce Gibbs was solid rather than spectacular.

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Goodes praises indigenous support

Sydney champion Adam Goodes says the support for indigenous footballers has never been better, but admits there is still lots of work to do. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

SWANS champion Adam Goodes believes there is a more supportive environment for indigenous players and a greater understanding of their challenges than ever before in the game's history.

But he still believes more needs to be done.

Goodes, who is attending the AFL's indigenous camp in Alice Springs this week and will help coach the All-Stars against Richmond tomorrow night, said significant progress had been made in the time since he attended the inaugural indigenous camp on the outskirts of Craigieburn in 2000.

"I think it's really important that all of the player welfare managers are invited and a lot of the clubs have sent them up to be a part of the camp, part of the workshops and seminars," Goodes said.

"They get to hear about the things we might struggle with at football clubs, and the younger players get to be involved in those discussions."

Since the end of the 2012 season, more indigenous players have left the game than were drafted, and Goodes suggested one reason was that clubs had gambled on drafting players from more remote communities such as central Australia (Liam Jurrah) and (the Kimberley) Zephaniah Skinner.

"We've got to remember where we're plucking some of these kids from. Liam and Zephy, they come from traditional backgrounds and have a lot more demands on them from their community than they have even from their football club," he said.

"They're in the middle of two worlds, one that's a traditional culture and one where they devote themselves to footy.

"And that's incredibly hard. I mean, they've done it tough on their journey just to get drafted and find their way to an AFL club, let alone playing games and making it at that level.

"That's where we as football clubs and leadership groups need to have our eyes wide open to where we're drafting some of these kids from. We do need to care for them a little bit more, and try to understand that while we might be trying to get them to play the best football we can on the weekend, we have to be conscious that they're under pressure to satisfy some unique family needs during the week.

"The last thing we want to do is make kids feel guilty for not being able to help out or provide for his family.

"But even if they leave the game I still see them as successful stories. A lot of people get inspired by what they've managed to achieve, and they will have made it easier for the next kid who wants to jump from a remote community and come to Melbourne to play on the MCG."

Goodes said he believed it would be worthwhile for the AFL to appoint an indigenous welfare officer in each state.

The 33-year-old dual Brownlow medallist said such a person would need to be proactive because "many Aboriginal boys might not feel comfortable about approaching the development officer at their club with their problems".

Goodes said he had tried to take on a mentoring role not only with young Swans footballers, but also indigenous players on the Greater Western Sydney list.

"They can call me up and talk to me, and maybe I can point them in the right direction," Goodes said.

That was another reason he believed the AFL's indigenous camp, held every two years, was so vital.

"As a younger kid I was a bit shy and any chance to hear those great older players talk about their journey, and how tough they had to do it, it was just a really important stepping stone for me to learn from the blokes who had come before me," he said.

"I'm happy that these kids seem to come in with a confidence now and I think that's a credit to the indigenous guys who came before me and broke down barriers."
 

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Dank claims injections were clean

Former Essendon fitness guru Steve Dank has denied giving Bombers players performance-enhancing drugs. Source: The Daily Telegraph

EXCLUSIVE: THE man at the centre of the Essendon drugs scandal, Stephen Dank, claims the injections he gave players last year were clean.

The club's former performance scientist yesterday emphatically rejected suggestions he had overseen the inappropriate use of supplements at the Bombers in 2012.

Asked directly by the Herald Sun yesterday: "Did you give the players banned/illegal/performance-enhancing drugs?"

Dank said: "No."

Herald Sun: "You didn't?"

Dank: "No."

But investigations are under way, as revealed in the Herald Sun yesterday, with the Australian Crime Commission heading a probe into sports, organised crime, Customs and performance-enhancing drugs.

It is understood the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, in conjunction with the AFL, will make a major announcement today about drugs in sport and its infiltration by organised criminals.

Former Bomber Mark McVeigh yesterday confirmed players were taken off-site for injections, but was adamant everything was above board.

Tony Doherty, a close friend of Dank, also supported him last night. Doherty, owner of Doherty's Gyms, said Dank would not have given AFL players banned substances.

"He would know the legalities of every substances," Doherty said. "When people hear the word injections they go into a frenzy."

Doherty was chatting with Bandido Toby Mitchell when the bikie enforcer was shot in an ambush in November 2011.

It has been confirmed footy's drugs probe was triggered on Monday when authorities contacted Essendon chiefs and warned them about serious investigations linked to the Bombers and other sporting codes.

Essendon immediately notified the AFL and asked the Australian Anti-Doping Authority to launch its own investigation into possible inappropriate use of supplements at the club in 2012.

The AFL is aware the sport is a target of criminal elements, and at least one Essendon figure has spoken to an organised crime investigative body about his knowledge of performance-enhancing drugs in football.

The Australian Federal Police is not involved, according to sources.

Dank is the central character in the scandal that threatens the existence of one of footy's most famous clubs.

Despite speculation that other clubs would emerge in the drugs scandal, no evidence has yet been found across the competition.

Coach James Hird yesterday maintained his club would be cleared of any wrongdoing.

Asked yesterday if he had confidence in high-performance manager Dean Robinson, who has been stood down, Hird said: "I have confidence in our processes at our footy club that we'd get it right. 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," he said.

Mr Doherty said Dank would push the limits, but not cross them.

"As (Kyle) Reimers said, they were pretty close to the edge and Steve Dank would've been sailing along that edge gladly. But he wouldn't step over it, or risk the playing future of the players or the club," Mr Doherty said.

"He is smart enough to know exactly what he could and couldn't give to AFL players. He would be completely in touch with the WADA code, and would not put those players under risk," he said.

"I don't believe he would've been giving Essendon players illegal peptides."
 

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Tank threat to Dees' pokies revenue

Melbourne faces the prospect of losing $5m in pokies revenue if found guilty of tanking. Picture: Ellen Smith Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE faces the prospect of losing $5 million a year in poker-machine revenue if the club is found guilty by the AFL of "tanking" allegations.

An adverse finding into the claims, the subject of an exhaustive AFL investigation, could also force the resignation of senior staff.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation has the power to withdraw licences to operate electronic gaming machines and force the removal of key officials if it finds an organisation has acted inappropriately.

Melbourne owns the Bentleigh Club, which has 80 machines, and the Leighoak Hotel, at Oakleigh, which has 92 machines.

The Demons pocket about half of the $10 million the two gaming venues turn over annually.

"The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation will be considering the outcomes of the AFL's investigation in its own inquiry into the matter," a spokeswoman said.

Licensing expert Dennis Galimberti, of Hall & Thompson lawyers, said the commission could discipline a club or associated people if anything happened that meant they were not of good repute in regards to honesty and integrity.

"The VCGLR can also discipline the club even if it is associated with a person who conducts himself in such a way that he is not a person of good repute," Galimberti said.

"If the AFL was to find ... that the club or persons associated with the club have been involved in an attempt to alter the result of an AFL competition match or the organisation or the preparation of a match so that participants don't give their utmost performance, they may well be the subject matter of an inquiry conducted by the VCGLR.

"It may well lead to orders being made for interfering with the licence or requiring persons who are associated with the club to cease being associated with the club."

Melbourne has denied any wrongdoing.

The AFL has received a submission from Melbourne and is expected to soon announce whether the club has a case to answer.

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Hawks compo riddle

Hawthorn could be left with a mid-20s draft pick if Lance Franklin leaves the club at th end of the year. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL has confirmed it is yet to set the compensation criteria for free agency this year, which could result in Hawthorn being handed only a mid-20s draft pick if Lance "Buddy" Franklin leaves at the end of the year.

The game's most exciting player is assessing the market, and under last year's formula Hawthorn would attract a mid-first round pick as compensation.

Hawthorn has conceded privately that Franklin is effectively an unrestricted free agent because it does not have the salary cap room to match an offer of more than $1 million.

But if he does leave, there is no certainty about whether the Hawks would get even the pick No.13 that St Kilda received for Brendon Goddard.

Just as the Saints did not match Essendon's offer for Goddard, the Hawks cannot hope to match about $1.2 million a year for Franklin.

In coming weeks the AFL will ask clubs for feedback on last year's first free agency period, and comprehensive changes are possible.

That includes the length of the period, the overlap between free agency and the trade period, and potentially the compensation formula.

Some clubs already have lobbied the AFL for a system under which the maximum compensation for a free agent would be a pick at the end of the first round.

Others believe there should be no compensation for free agents, or only for restricted free agents.

Hawthorn might feel aggrieved that the compensation formula could change with the year already under way and the NAB Cup only nine days away.

It was frustrated last year to receive only pick No.68 when Clinton Young left for Collingwood, and nothing when Tom Murphy landed on the Gold Coast.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday said several issues had to be decided before the free agency period in October.

"In the next month or so we will write to all clubs for feedback and have a decision early in the season," Keane said.

"We have a formula at the moment that applied to restricted and unrestricted free agency, so we will ask clubs for feedback about that, the same as we do with the tribunal and the laws of the game. After we receive the feedback we will have a decision."

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Players injected at secret locations

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

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.

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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Blues MCG bid

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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The pharmacist to the stars

The man everybody wants to find: Former Essendon sports scientist Steve Dank in 2005 when 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.

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.

Artwork: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

THEY call Stephen Dank "The Pharmacist". And until late last year he was Essendon's performance scientist.

But don't go looking for his name in the club's staff registry - any trace of him as a Bombers official has now been erased.

Dank quietly left Essendon last year amid the fallout from the club's dramatic slide down the ladder.

Melbourne Football Club has since knocked him back for a job in its own football department - perhaps a rare stroke of fortune for the tanking-accused Demons.

Today, Dank and Bombers bosses have some serious explaining to do about what was going on at Windy Hill last year.

What were the substances being used by Essendon players and why has the club now asked the AFL and the Australian Anti-Doping Authority to investigate?
But Dank's practices are not unknown in Australia.

In 2005, he made headlines while working for the NRL's Manly Sea Eagles.

As the club's physiologist, Dank and the Sea Eagles created a world first in sport by using DNA testing to increase player performance.

It was also reported he had Manly players using a $300-per-litre anti-inflammatory product called Lact-Away, which is made from the bark of French pine and was initially a racehorse treatment. And then there was a product containing calves' blood extract, which helps to heal muscular injuries and increases stamina.

They all raised eyebrows but Dank soon moved on, eventually finding his way to Essendon at the start of last year after doing part-time work with Gold Coast Suns.

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

Dank has also had a long association with Essendon high-performance manager Dean Robinson, who calls himself The Weapon.

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 The duo worked closely at the Sea Eagles and have always stayed in touch.

When The Weapon moved to Geelong to help the club claim the 2007 flag, he was in almost daily contact with his mate Dank.

"We discuss ideas and philosophies and a lot of them are common to both the Sea Eagles and the Cats," Robinson boasted in an interview in 2007.

But Dank is less inclined to talk about what he does.

"I don't do media interviews," Dank declared while at Manly in 2008. "What the sports science department does stays in-house."

A Melbourne Football Club spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Dank had applied for a job at the club.

"He applied for a job at the club late last year but he was unsuccessful," she said. "He has never had any direct contact with the players."

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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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Maxwell poised to lead Pies again

Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD is expected to announce this morning that Nick Maxwell will continue as captain for the fifth straight season.

Former Pies' premiership captain Tony Shaw had voiced his support for Scott Pendlebury's leadership claims, but the star onballer is tipped to remain vice-captain.

It will also be the fifth season Pendlebury, 25, has held the position.

Onballer Luke Ball is also set to play a key role in the leadership group this season.

Heath Shaw, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas and Harry O'Brien rounded out the group last year.

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Judd delays decision on new deal

There is a line of thought that Carlton champion Chris Judd may decide to retire at the peak of his powers to pursue other interests. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Judd stretches his back before training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON star Chris Judd has delayed contract talks until mid-season at the earliest as he contemplates his future.

Judd has told the Blues he is not prepared to discuss extending his six-year tenure at Visy Park until he plays a significant portion of the season.

The dual Brownlow medallist turns 30 in September - an age that sees many footballers leave the game - but his brilliant form means his future is in his hands.

The fact he will not consider a deal now leaves it open that Judd may not play a 13th season next year.

Carlton would sign a deal with him now but is content to wait most, if not all, of the season, hopeful that relinquishing the captaincy will invigorate him.

There is a line of thought that Judd may decide to retire at the peak of his powers to pursue other interests. Carlton president Stephen Kernahan yesterday told the Herald Sun he believed Judd could play on for many years.

But he said he was aware that Judd might leave earlier than many believe.

"Put this on the record: he is 29 and I reckon he's got years to go. Will he last as long as we hope he does? I have a feeling maybe not," Kernahan said.

"He's got some serious football left in him, and that's my personal opinion.

"But he might surprise us."

"I have heard the things where he might only have a couple of years left.

"You hear all the stories, but Judd will know himself.

"He has been around the coalface for all his career, and he obviously made the call along those lines to release the captaincy, and give someone else the chance.

"He has had to do a hell of a lot at our club in the last five years but, if it's typical Juddy, he won't change at all."

Judd retiring as early as this year would be a stunning turn of events, given his performance level at Carlton: three best-and-fairests, a second placing (2011) and last year's third placing.

But Judd has long said he is not obsessed with the game and he has business and other interests outside football.

If Judd was keen to maximise his value for the 2014 season, he would sign a deal this pre-season.

But if he decided to play on, he may choose one-year deals like many veterans, including North Melbourne's Brent Harvey and Essendon's Dustin Fletcher.

Judd has admitted he has had "brain fades" in recent years with a pair of notable tribunal appearances for his "pressure point" and "chicken wing" tackles.

But when he does leave the AFL, the dual Brownlow medallist will be considered one of the greats of the game.

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Roberts quits to sign on with Fox

Channel 7 broadcaster Sandy Roberts is moving to Fox Footy. Picture: Cifra Manuela Source: Herald Sun

EXCLUSIVE: SANDY Roberts has walked out on Channel 7 after 34 years as a broadcaster to sign on with Fox Footy.

In the latest development in TV's news wars, the Herald Sun understands the Seven stalwart has been poached to call games and host programs on the football-only station.

Roberts, the weekday sports news reader for Seven, will inform the station today he is leaving, the latest dramatic change to Seven's news after the departure of veteran meteorologist David Brown.

Weatherman Brown has been replaced by former Olympic swimmer Giaan Rooney, amid simmering tensions over the personnel changes at the network.

Seven and Nine continue to fight a pitched battle over nightly news ratings, and Nine's commanding lead has forced Seven into recent changes.

Seven insiders said they believed Brown, 52, was unhappy about the decision to push him aside for Rooney, 30.

Roberts has not called games in recent seasons, but it is believed that after broadcasting to regional areas with radio callers Crocmedia he became confident he still had the fire in his belly.

He said in 2007 it was his decision not to call games for Seven given his weekday commitments with the network.

But the 62-year-old was constantly stopped in the street by fans asking about his absence, so his return clearly would be well received.

Fox Footy is known to believe the signing is a major coup given his reputation as a fan favourite in AFL circles. His son works at the network as a producer and Roberts will work across several shows.

The network will use him not only as a caller but also as host of some of the network's regular one-off specials.

Fox Footy has the rights to the All-Australian awards and AFL MVP award.

Roberts showcased his hosting skills at the 2009 Brownlow Medal when called in with only hours' notice after Bruce McAvaney was forced to withdraw.

Seven recently tried former Western Bulldogs ruckman Luke Darcy as a stand-in sports presenter when Roberts and weekend news reader Tim Watson were on leave.

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Buddy-minded season begins

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

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

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

LANCE Franklin says he wants to stay at Hawthorn, but recent history means his words will do little to allay Hawks fears of a dramatic departure.

Franklin, 26, will become a restricted free agent in October, making him available to offers from rival clubs. He chose to suspend contract talks with Hawthorn until season's end.

The superstar forward yesterday declared he had "no intentions of leaving".

"I obviously love Hawthorn. They've been an absolutely great footy club for myself and I'm coming up to my ninth season," Franklin said.

"It was my decision. It was something I wanted to do and I wanted to leave it until the end of the season.

"I know there's going to be a lot of speculation about what I'm going to be doing at the end of the season. I've got no intentions of leaving the football club, but it is what it is - I just want to play footy."

Gary Ablett, Tom Scully, Brendon Goddard and Kurt Tippett chose to delay contract talks in the past three years, citing the need to concentrate on their football and stressing their intent to stay. All left.

Only days after cancelling negotiations, Franklin fronted the media yesterday in his role as captain for the indigenous All-Stars side that plays Richmond on Friday, and he was unapologetic over his decision.

"It's going to be a distraction and obviously the footy club is shocked that I didn't sign either, but it's my decision," he said.

"I don't get entangled in anyone else's contracts or any boys from the the footy club. It's just something that's not talked about, internally it won't be spoken about.

"We'll just look forward to playing footy and hopefully winning a premiership."

Asked if he was open to leaving for another club, Franklin said: "No, not at this stage. I want to stay at Hawthorn, but I just want to leave it until the end of the season and go from there."

He rejected suggestions his decision would haunt Hawthorn throughout the season, much like it did for Collingwood during last year's Travis Cloke saga.

"Not at all. The football club we've got is very strong, we've got some really good leaders and our group is very tight," Franklin said.

"I have no real issues there. It's obviously going to be the media that is going to pump it up more than ever. It is what it is and I'll just wait until the end of the season and make my decision then."

A 2008 premiership player and two-time Coleman medallist, Franklin is arguably the game's biggest drawcard.

Industry speculation puts Hawthorn's offer about $1 million a year over four years.

It is understood Franklin, was last year not among the games biggest eight earners, who all received more than $1 million in total earnings.

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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,  yesterday declaring it could make an audacious end-of-season play for the champion goalkicker.

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Watson, Rioli suffer corkies

Jobe Watson has suffered a corked thigh after initially sending a scare through the Essendon camp when he limped from an intra-club practice match at Melbourne Airport with what looked like a knee injury. Picture: Andy Drewitt Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON and Hawthorn have been dealt fresh injury blows less than a fortnight from the start of the NAB Cup.

But Bombers skipper Jobe Watson and Hawks livewire Cyril Rioli have escaped major damage, with both suffering corked thighs.

Watson sent a scare through the Essendon camp when he limped from an intra-club practice match at Melbourne Airport with what looked like a knee injury.

But coach James Hird was later relieved to learn his most important player had only sustained a knock above the joint and would be a short-term casualty.

Rioli's corked thigh, which was aggravated at training yesterday, has made him the latest casualty for the Richmond-indigenous All-Stars game in Alice Springs on Friday night.

There were also reports yesterday that injury-prone Carlton forward Jarrad Waite was nursing a calf strain.

All-Stars skipper Lance Franklin confirmed Rioli would join Shaun Burgoyne and Adam Goodes as spectators at Traeger Park.

"He's a little bit sore at the moment so he'll miss. He was pretty disappointed, with me being the captain he wanted to run out with me," Franklin said.

"It's a little bit disappointing 'Goodesy' is not playing and Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril, but the young boys we've got out there running around can play some football. Shaun is coming back from his knee. He's a little way away, but hopefully he'll be right for Round 1."

Trent Cotchin will lead Richmond out for the first time since being named captain last November in a squad missing Troy Chaplin (knee), Nathan Foley (Achilles) and Dylan Grimes (hamstring).

"They'll be a good mix of senior players, but also an opportunity for some young players who have come into the system over the last couple of years," Cotchin said.

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Saints follow the leader

Scott Watters implemented the leadership model last season and believes it is starting to pay off. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA pioneered co-captaincy in the 1990s and introduced captaincy rotation a decade ago, but under Scott Watters' coaching the Saints are employing a leadership model inspired by the all-conquering Hockeyroos.

St Kilda's structure involves 19 players spread across three leadership tiers: leaders, emerging leaders and mentors.

"I always watched with interest and admired what Ric Charlesworth was doing as coach of the Australian women's hockey team in the early 1990s," Watters said.

"They basically had Rechelle Hawkes as their captain, but they went through a phase where they made a deliberate decision to spread leadership among the whole group."

The four-time Olympian captained the Hockeyroos from 1993 to 2000, during which time they lost only one international tournament.

"They went through arguably their most successful period without a traditional captain, with the philosophy being that they were after a critical mass of leaders," Watters said.

"Part of it is that your leadership model needs to have a little bit of flexibility as your group grows.

"But to me it's less about the obvious leader at a club. It's more about how many people can we get into that frame of mind and have that skills set to drive the environment."

Watters implemented the structure last season and believes it is starting to pay off.

The Saints have a group of six mentors with 1305 games experience between them, one of whom attends meetings of the leadership group (twice a week) and emerging leaders (weekly).

"Every player on the list has a responsibility to lead.

"It's not just about the captain or even the leadership group, it's far broader than that. I'm not even concerned who tosses the coin on match day. In many ways it's one of the great traditions of the game, but it's not something that drives the group and their program," Watters said.

"It's the leadership throughout the week, throughout the game, after a win, after a loss, during training. They're the things that are critical."

The Saints are looking to fast-track the development of their younger players.

"We now have 26 players aged under 23 on our list, and 21 of those have really come in over the past 12 months. So it's a list that has some outstanding experienced leaders, but it also has some players who are pretty new to the system.

"So the more we get interaction between those two groups I think it helps bridge that gap," Watters said.

LEADERSHIP GROUP (8)
Nick Riewoldt (capt), Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, Jarryn Geary*, David Armitage*, Sean Dempster*
*elevated this season

EMERGING LEADERS (5)
Sam Dunnell, Jack Newnes, Arryn Siposs, Tom Curren, Seb Ross.

MENTORS (6)
Lenny Hayes, Sam Fisher, Justin Koschitzke, Jason Blake, Stephen Milne, Adam Schneider.

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