As the nation continues to reel back, stunned and bruised, battered and shattered, souls torn apart and trampled into the blood-soaked dust, dreams scorched and drowned and shot and stabbed, forever, I have forgotten the point of this sentence.
The fallout from Australia’s Darkest Day In Sport (ADDIS) continues to fall out. This reporter has been at the forefront of the over-hyped opinion pieces of little value and inflammatory ravings that add nothing of any worth.
Coincidence?
But it’s worse than you think.
Revealed for the first time now are the below empty, vacuous speculations that if proven true, could rock me to the very core of my very core.
• A high profile NRL star was caught on an invasive and creepy Channel Nine dressing room camera self-administering performance-enabling drugs, in clear view of his team mates and coach. In the footage, the player is seen removing the cap of a small, blue, plastic container. He then shakes the object and raises it to his mouth. He seemingly pumps the device with his hand as he visibly inhales the drug. He repeats this process a couple of times before tossing the drug dispensing device into his bag.
• A high profile NRL star was once seen drinking in a particularly trendy inner-city Sydney pub. While he and his mates lorded it up in the front bar they were spotted not being aware that this same pub was possibly frequented by alleged underworld figures at some time in the past or future.
• These imaginary underworld figures may or may not be involved in the sale and distribution of illicit substances. For example, drugs. From there it’s not hard to imagine that these same drug dealing criminals could well have infiltrated the glamorous world of professional rugby league. The NRL had no comment.
• The code makes much of its education programs for players, claiming its messages of civility and the keeping of clean noses does much to help players keep their noses clean. Well, the question must be asked: did the player in question miss this lesson or are the educational programs just not as effective as I’ve claimed the NRL claimed they are?
• Etc (probably more stuff)
“Useless speculation or hyper-sensationalism?”, you may ask yourself.
You may well have a better view of the situation with your head buried in the sand, your feathery rear end pointing comically into the air.
This situation won’t go away just because you want it to. Not while we’re selling papers, it won’t.
Coincidence? Here’s why.
A quick perusal of the list of banned substances at WADA reveals some shocking new evidence that will make ADDIS look like a picnic on a cloud floating above an ocean of honey.
The very first non-approved substance on the WADA banned list reads, in part (abridged):
“Any… substance…is prohibited.”
The rest of the list makes for grim reading for the NRL.
It can finally be revealed the hormone or metabolic modulator “anastrozole” bears a striking resemblance to the name of a high profile NRL star. We won’t name him because he has absolutely nothing to do with anything and it’s a pure coincidence.
However, this won’t stop us making the association and drawing an ephemeral but indestructible link in the minds of our readers between the player and the banned substance.
Coincidence?
Lessons must be learned so the damning allegations I’ve invented above do not continue to not be unreported and unembellished.
Hard lessons, painful lessons. Lessons that must be remembered and not forgotten.
We encourage our children to get involved in sport to benefit their health, give them self-confidence.
However the sad fact is since ADDIS, no child has come up to me in the street and remarked that they’re keen to start playing a sport.
No parent has approached me and said something nice about a high profile player.
In fact, no one has stopped to talk to me at all.
Coincidence?
ADDIS must never happen again until next February when there’s not much sport to talk about.
Stu
Guest
So everyone knows....investigations are under way to discover whether the transfe fee was in $30AUS or $30HK.
Stu
Guest
Apprently the Hong Kong betting entity had to pay a $30 money transfer fee as well. So $40million + $30.
TC
Guest
But heard him also say that this process has been about scaring the dealers away before they infiltrated the clubs, suggesting we haven't reached that point yet, and by the way, he's language was also consistent with what the Minister for Justice has said. If we are talking about vulnerabilities only - then isn't that precisely the wording that should have been used in the report and by the Government from day one? Doesn't that make a lie of the ACC saying the use of banned substances is "widespread" in sport? And if the concern is vulnerabilities only, well, like crime in society generally - doesn't that vulnerability reside forever and a day? If so, are we going to get this beat up on an annual basis now? Newsflash next year: The ACC notes key vulnerabilities in society generally, but in the sporting world in particular. It's possible that someone, somewhere is smoking a joint. Is that fair dinkum Pollyanna???
dognap
Guest
The Liberal NSW Minister for Sport ex NRL ref has been briefed and he says there is credible evidence so watch out with the cynicism
TC
Guest
In fact, we can take this a step further. I saw on Fox the other night vision of a cricketer eating a toasted sandwich while fielding during an actual game. Took it out of his pocket, gobbled up a few bites, and put half of it back into his pocket, clearly for future consumption. Surely to take sustenance during game time is an unfair advantage? The ACC should be looking into that.
TC
Guest
I don't think High Shot qualifies - his writing is far too lucid.
TC
Guest
That's right JayBob. In fact, much of the ACC report focused on precisely that type of scenario, even inventing the new acronymn PIEDs to squeeze in Image Enhancing drugs. It's the political interference that has forced in descriptors like "widespread", and in the process, the Government and the ACC has besmirched everyone, especially within the NRL and AFL. So when the head of ASADA appeared on TV the other day, frothing at the mouth and talking about the increase in importation of some of these products, and she asks who is buying them? Someone should have tapped her on the shoulder and said the report tells you: bodybuilders, anti-aging clinics and amateur sportsmen using those sources either to try and improve themselves to break into professional ranks or for "image" purposes - and thus the acronym: PIEDs.
Arthur Elliott
Guest
As good as this article is, I'm amazed that no recognition has been given to the bubbling scandal hiding in the sporting change-rooms of this nation like an elephant or several. (Mixed metaphors, anyone?) I refer, of course, to the age-old practice of supplying players with shots of ascorbic acid at half-time, through the containers loosely known as "oranges". This heinous practice starts when the player is very young, conditioning the player to the acceptability of consuming such shocking supplements as a natural part of his/her sporting life. Ban them, I say! Let's take the bull by the teeth! Or something.
Arthur Elliott
Guest
+3
Parisien
Guest
4?
sheek
Roar Guru
Yes High Shot, I concer with other comments - you are quite brilliant!
JayBob
Guest
I know of plenty of idiots that take performance enhancing drugs just to go to the gym, just to get bigger. The government using an increase in drugs seized at customs as a reason is beyond pathetic. It's nearly as bad as assuming there is match fixing because criminals are usually the ones supplying illegal drugs :P Great article High Shot, I'm still laughing.
Mark Young
Roar Guru
+2
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
If credibility has anything to do with experience, I would say Johnsy could be considered an expert to speak to regarding drugs.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
I fancied my chances of writing a great article until I read yours... Magnificent!
The High Shot
Roar Pro
Why what do they know?!
Billo
Guest
High Shot, this is definitely a performance enhancing read (PER!). I'm sure the ACC will be on your case!
boes
Roar Pro
The ACC are looking for an author for the next release. They can stop looking now. Brilliant work.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
It's definitely the darkest day in currency exchange.
Fussball's AFL tracking spreadsheet
Guest
Are you serious about the HKD/AUD mix up? If so. that's hilarious, but completely in keeping with coverage of this story to date.