Essendon hold their first training session since announcing they have gone to the AFL over concerns about supplements supplied last year.
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Victory University Institute of Sport's Simon Outram chats to Fox Sports News about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in light of the Essendon stimulant scandal.
Essendon coach James Hird appears to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he throws a football in a wheely bin at the end of a training session at Tullamarine on Wednesday morning. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun
Essendon players training at Windy Hill in 2012. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun
Artwork: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun
ESSENDON coach James Hird has today expressed support for suspended high performance manager Dean Robinson.
The morning after the Bombers announced they had stood down the club's fitness guru, Hird said he was "still shocked" by the drugs scandal rocking the club.
"I have confidence in Dean Robinson," Hird said upon arriving at Windy Hilly this morning.
"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 he would let the club's senior officials speak about the impending the investigation.
"I'm not too fussed about it, the boys upstairs will deal with it," he said.
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"Hirdy (coach James Hird), Evo (club chairman David Evans) and Robbo (CEO Ian Robson) will deal with it, we'll just keep training and doing our best."
Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton swore to stick by the club when he arrived at Windy Hill.
"(I'll) continue to support the football club and we're just getting on with our business," he said.
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On Nova radio this morning, former Lion and Bulldog Jason Akermanis said he thought there would be large fallout from the investigation.
"It ain't going to wash this one, there will be a lot of guys who are going to be in a lot of trouble," he said.
The embattled club's home turf at Windy Hill remains a hive of activity, with players and senior officials believed to be holding crisis talks behind closed doors.
Motorists in the area are slowing down along Napier St to have a closer look at the club which has been thrown into turmoil over the past 48 hours.
Drivers are winding down their windows as they pass Windy Hill Oval, shouting choruses of "drug cheats"; while the Bombers' faithful have expressed their disappointment at the drug scandal allegations.
Craigeburn resident Joseph Fisher, 65, said he had followed the Dons for more than 20 years and this scandal wouldn't put him off barracking for the red and black.
"It's a sad time for the club," he said outside Windy Hill this morning.
"I am surprised that this could be happening at the club in this day and age.
"I'll continue to support them... But let's just say, drugs and football don't mix."
Earlier, Essendon players completed a high-security training session at Tullamarine following a club meeting which was off limits to the public and media.
SEE PICTURES FROM TRAINING HERE
The footballers and training staff were ushered into the under-construction Melbourne Airport Club training ground between 7-8am by security and club staff.
Media and fans were denied entry to the venue, which is usually open to the public.
A barbed wire fence encircled the facility.
Essendon coach James Hird appears to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he throws a football in a wheely bin at the end of a training session at Tullamarine onWednesday morning. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun
Several fans were relegated to watch the training session beyond the barbed wire fence and speculate on the scandal.
Bombers supporter Robert Glenn said the revelations were "a bloody shame".
"Hird and Thompson are very negligent in their jobs if they don't know what their players have taken," Mr Glenn said.
"It's a bloody shame because they've been training so well."
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A security guard instructed those driving out of the ground to wind up their windows as he escorted them to the roadside, shielding them from the media contingent.
Media have also positioned themselves at Windy Hill, the football club's headquarters.
Security guards and club staff manned the gates of the Melbourne Airport training facility where Essendon Football Club players and officials met early this morning.
It comes after yesterday's day of high drama in which it was announced the AFL would investigate the Bombers.
The Herald Sun revealed players were taken away from the club and injected with unknown substances by sports science staff last season.
The Herald Sun can also 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 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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Sports physician Dr Peter Larkins said Essendon players could be facing up to a two-year ban if found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Dr Larkins told 3AW this morning it was rumoured the drug used was a peptide.
"I've been given a lot of hints over the last 12 hours form the various people connected to this story and I've come up with three," he said.
"Best guess is that they're using a stimulator substance that produces your own increase of your natural hormones. So they're not taking an external drug that is routinely detectable," Dr Larkins claimed.
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.
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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."
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Essendon yesterday stressed the recent departures of football boss Paul Hamilton and chief operating officer Dom Cato were not related to the scandal.
The Herald Sun contacted a number of senior Essendon officials about the allegations on Monday and they strongly denied any wrongdoing by the club last year.
They now fear, however, banned drugs may have been given to their players without the knowledge of senior officials.
The club had late night meetings on Monday and again yesterday before coming forward to the AFL.
Players face two-year bans
Bombers chairman David Evans said: "The integrity at the club is critical, and that's why we've moved quickly to contact the AFL.
"The info we gathered over the last 24 or 48 hours is slightly concerning, and we want to dig a bit deeper but we want the AFL to help us."
AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has long made known his dislike for the growing influence of sports scientists in the game.
Last night he said: "They (Essendon) have just started the investigation. They don't know what they have taken or alleged to have taken, they don't know the composition, and they don't even know if they have broken any WADA rules.
"They have come forward so I think they are entitled to the benefit of the doubt."
Bombers legend Tim Watson believes the players' trust has been abused.
"Players by nature are trusting individuals who think OK, if these people have been accepted into our football club, then we as players, we're not scientists, we don't know the make-up of this supplement," Watson told SEN.
Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd also said the blame couldn't be placed on the players, who he says would have been following medical advice.
"You're told by a fitness coach or a sports scientist that you'll get a greater advantage and recover well, be fitter, stronger, and everything is done legally ... yeah you'd just jump onboard and do it," he told 3AW.
Meanwhile, Brownlow medallist and footy commentator Gerard Healy said he made the AFL aware of doping concerns 12 months ago after the issue was raised by an Essendon official at a sports medicine conference, 3AW reported.
- Reporting by Mark Robinson, Michael Warner, Mark Buttler, Erin Marie and Angus Thompson
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.
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