Jack Trengove training with the Demons last month has been named in an alleged text between Stephen Dank and the club doctor. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: Herald Sun
ASADA will expand its investigations into drug use in the AFL to include Melbourne following revelations last night of a series of alleged text messages between sports scientist Stephen Dank and Demons doctor Dan Bates.
The ABC's 7.30 broadcast details of the texts, which appear to outline a supplements program last pre-season.
Several Demon players were named in the messages, as was former Adelaide coach Neil Craig, who started work with Melbourne at the end of 2011 as its director of sports performance.
In February, when the news broke about Essendon's mystery supplements regime, the Demons denied rumours they had employed Dank over the summer. On February 5, a spokeswoman for Melbourne said: "He applied for a job at the club late last year but he was unsuccessful. He has never had any direct contact with the players."
Dank has denied any wrongdoing over his use of supplements.
The AFL last night released a statement saying: "As part of its initial inquiries in February, the AFL approached the Melbourne Football Club to ascertain the club's involvement with Stephen Dank.
"Melbourne provided the AFL with an explanation; however, the matter has remained open as part of the AFL's broader investigation into Mr Dank's activities with AFL clubs. The AFL was not previously aware of the claims broadcast tonight by the ABC and these will form part of ongoing investigations by ASADA and the AFL.
"The AFL is urgently seeking a further explanation from Melbourne Football Club about the veracity of the claims and how they can be reconciled with previous statements from the club."
Bates began working with Melbourne last year after stints with North Melbourne and Sydney. He was doctor to the Australian team at the 2010 world athletics championships and has worked at the elite level in soccer and basketball.
The ABC revealed what it said was a series of text messages spanning more than six months between Dank and Bates, beginning in mid-2012 when Dank offered his services to Bates. The first player mentioned is Demons co-captain Jack Trengove, who at the time had a foot stress fracture.
In alleged texts between the two; Bates to Dank: "Sorry you still up? Trengove is not going to Darwin so I don't need the thymomodulin for tomorrow."
Dank to Bates: "Should we consider AOD cream for Jack Trengove's navicular?"
Bates to Dank: "Yep."
Dank to Bates: "When we will start Jack Trengove on the AOD?"
Bates to Dank: "Tomorrow."
Bates to Dank: "Where can I get him to pick it up from?"
Dank to Bates: "The pharmacy. Tell him to ring me and he can meet me there."
The pharmacy referred to is believed to be the Como Compounding Pharmacy in South Yarra where Dank sourced his supplements.
It is not clear from the texts which supplements were to be injected. Another player referred to in the texts is star ruckman Mark Jamar. Dank to Bates: "Did you get on to Mark Jamar?"
Bates to Dank: "Yep." About this time, Dank also told Bates he had consulted ASADA.
Dank to Bates: "Sorry mate. In a meeting. Spoke to ASADA. No problems. They will confirm by email. No issues their end."
Bates to Dank: "Excellent."
The texts appear to show Dank and Bates discussed a wide range of substances, including AOD-9604, cerebrolysin and thymomodulin. None of these substances is specifically banned by ASADA, but the regulator is currently considering banning AOD9604 after WADA recently advised it could be prohibited.
Dank and Bates also discussed using LDN (low-dose naltrexone), the controversial drug used to treat alcohol and opioid addiction. Not one of these substances is prohibited by WADA.
Dank to Bates: "I am going to send you some papers on low-dose naltrexone. We can nebulise naltrexone as well. Great pregame."
By the end of January, some players were beginning to request his treatments.
Bates to Dank: "Lynden Dunn would like an injection on Thursday if possible (good about Dunny asking, as he is doing it because the other guys have said they feel good). Dan."
Dank to Bates: "Great. I will book him in."
The next day a timetable for injections was set out for seven players.
Dank to Bates: "I just wanted to thank you for all the support and the belief over the last five months. That is so important when the knockers line up."
Bates to Dank: "Mate, you have some amazing knowledge that has always stacked up with evidence from external sources. I am frustrated that we are not further along at Melbourne but you can see from the list for tomorrow they are all getting on board. Dan."
The texts continued until February 5, when Dank was preparing to meet Bates. Bates to Dank: "Press conference on now apparently." He was referring to Essendon's press conference to reveal it had asked the AFL to investigate the use of supplements in 2012.
It is understood the Melbourne board held an emergency meeting last night. It released a statement saying: "Steve Dank has never been employed by the Melbourne Football Club. 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."
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