The AFL has beefed up its stance against the use of drugs in the sport, banning controversial drug AOD-9604 and other substances linked to the Essendon doping saga.
Stephen Dank remains a controversial figure in the AFL. Source: Getty Images
MELBOURNE has escaped AFL sanctions, despite controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank’s involvement at the club in 2012.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is investigating the possible use of banned substances at Melbourne, but the AFL’s investigation has found the Demons did not bring the game into disrepute, a charge that helped deliver savage penalties for Essendon.
The Demons failed to inform the AFL about Dank’s relationship with former club doctor Dan Bates at the end of the 2012 season.
And six months of text messages between the pair outlined a possible off-site injection program and the potential use of AOD-9604.
But the AFL has determined the club did not put the players’ health at risk and Bates’ relationship with Dank did not constitute governance failings, according to the AFL.
An AFL spokesman said: “The AFL has conducted a thorough investigation in relation to Stephen Dank’s involvement at Melbourne FC, including interviews and examination of documentation.
“Based on the evidence before it, no action has been taken to date, but the matter remains open due to ASADA’s ongoing inquiries.’’
Stephen Dank is a central figure in Essendon’s supplement saga. Source: News Limited
Melbourne would not comment because of the ASADA investigation.
ASADA said it was assessing evidence from investigations into Essendon, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, where Dank worked for three months in 2010-11.
“ASADA has previously confirmed that its formal investigation has concluded and has progressed to the next phase of the process, including the assessment of evidence,’’ an ASADA spokesman said.
“These operational matters are ongoing so ASADA will not speculate about clubs or players.’’
Former Melbourne skipper Jack Trengove was named in text messages between Dank and Bates. Dank tells Bates, Trengove should go to the “pharmacy’’, which is understood to be the Como Compounding Pharmacy in South Yarra.
Trengove was not interviewed by ASADA.
Bates was stood down by the Demons a day after the text messages were revealed last April on ABC.
The messages between Dank and Bates included:
Dank: “Should we consider AOD cream for Jack Trengove’s navicular?”
Bates: “Yep.”
Dank: “When we will start Jack Trengove on the AOD?”
Bates: “Tomorrow.”
Bates: “Where can I get him to pick it up from?”
Dank: “The pharmacy. Tell him to ring me and he can meet me there.”
Another exchange included:
Bates: “When can we book guys for the injections. We will need to give them times. Dan.”
Dank: “Saturday is fine. Organise him to meet me at the pharmacy. Yes we can book the guys ... we will do the guys Sunday …”
The Demons angered the AFL after distancing themselves from Dank when the club was questioned by league officials in February last year.
The Demons said Dank had applied for job in late 2012, but was unsuccessful and that he “never had any direct contact with the players”.
“All medical procedures involving the administration of supplements and medical substances have been and will continue to be under the supervision, direction and authority of the club doctor, Dan Bates,” the stated at the time.
As the Essendon supplements saga erupted, the AFL was furious with Melbourne’s lack of transparency.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said in April last year: “I don’t want to speculate on that (possible Melbourne sanctions) other than to say you’ll have heard me say countless times that this issue of ethics and trust in our code ... is something that you can’t play ping-pong with.
“If anybody hasn’t got the message that they must be absolutely truthful and be absolutely honest and upfront with the AFL, then there will be consequences.”
Essendon was handed the heaviest penalties in the game’s history for bring the game into disrepute.
Bombers chairman Paul Little yesterday declined to comment on Melbourne’s situation..
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