People who thought the drugs in the NRL story was a beat-up must surely be thinking differently now.
The revelations of massive drama at Cronulla, where, it has been reported, as many as 14 players have been encouraged to accept six-month bans for the use of performance-enhancing drugs following an investigation, might be just the start of it.
You would think the Sharks and/or the NRL will hold a media conference today in an attempt to give the league world at least some sort of understanding of what is going on, since the competition kicks off tonight and Cronulla are due to play their first game on Sunday.
When the report of the Australian Crime Commission’s investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in football codes and links to organised crime was released last month, it never meant there was going to be a quick outcome to investigations.
These things take time, but because there were no names named and no-one’s head was on a plate after a week or two, some people thought it was safe to start rubbishing it.
We are not going to realise the full impact and learn most of the outcomes of the various investigations for a while, but developments at Cronulla, where former ASADA senior counsel Richard Redman was hired to advise the club, show it is all very real.
The heads of all the football codes have been fully briefed on the ongoing investigations by ASADA and the ACC, and we haven’t heard any of them downplay the importance of the whole thing.
NSW Sport Minister Graham Annesley was quoted saying the briefing he received from the ACC painted a picture that was “serious” and “scary”.
ASADA is obviously investigating the possible use of performance-enhancing drugs, and the ACC is investigating possible links between organised crime and sport. Such investigations cover a lot of ground and take a lot of time, and the people conducting the investigations don’t provide blow-by-blow descriptions for the benefit of us.
Anyway, it was made clear from the start that names couldn’t be named because of legal reasons. Obviously, if players are banned or people are charged, we will have names then.
When there isn’t evidence via positive drug tests of competitors having used performance-enhancing drugs, investigators go down other paths, and ASADA is able to use discounts on suspensions as a sort of bargaining tool for information.
If you have used performance-enhancing drugs and you help with the investigation, you might get a six-month ban instead of two years.
It’s the sort of option that can break up a group and convince individuals to look after themselves.
Or you can admit to nothing and roll the dice on whether you will be caught or not.
Suggestions that players could take legal action against their clubs, if they were banned for using performance-enhancing drugs they consider were taken inadvertently under supposedly legal club programs, don’t appear to carry any weight.
It is accepted that competitors are ultimately responsible for whatever they put into their body.
We obviously don’t know the extent of the evidence ASADA and the ACC have got, but we do know they have been out there collecting it for a while now. Police used phone taps when they were investigating the NRL betting scandal, so you have got to assume they have done the same thing here.
And there are always people out there who have seen and know things, and might want to get the information off their chest for whatever reason. Whistle-blowers have proven to be the mortal enemy of cheats in rugby league over the years.
But it wouldn’t be rugby league if there wasn’t some sort of drama enveloping the game. On one hand you’ve got the Roosters-Rabbitohs blockbuster on tonight, with the return of Sonny Bill Williams, and on the other hand you’ve got this.
It really is the game that keeps giving.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Saving what skin, he wasn't even at Cronulla anymore. And he wasn't the administrator, so what exactly would he have been saving? If he has squealed it is either a conscience or a vendetta thing and I don't recall hearing that he left the club in any kind of turbulent manner.
Scott Minto
Guest
If the Sharks have 14 players suspended, they it is not worth them playing in 2013. Due to the TV rights deal you would need to keep 16 teams in the comp. IF this happens (and hopefully it doesnt happen) could the NRL splashes some cash and gets an expats team from the UK Superleague? Call them the Mercenary’s or something and have them move around rural Australia to boost exposure in grass roots areas or trial them in a potential expansion site.
Big Time
Guest
There has been attempts to get Body Building into the Olympics and it has been defined as a sport. Maybe not a good example I do admit. There are plenty of other sports that could be targeted, but it is the high profile ones they have chosen. Worlds Strongest Man??? I stand by my belief this is political grandstanding at its best. I am yet to see any evidence at all about anything. Has anyone?? At the moment I see everyone on here making summations as to what they believe, just as I am doing. At this stage that is all any of us can do. Just because you do not agree with me means f*ck all really DOOZEL! We are all experts aren't we. Very funny by the way, Obama born in Indo and fathered by a still living Elvis in Kuta. Brilliant. You are wasting your time on The Roar my friend. Oh how witty.
Kasey
Guest
I thought one of my cycling friends described it best..don’t worry the NSW Premier has just explained that even if they did take illegal substaces, they didn’t mean to…well that clears it up then. Time to move on;) As long as the same standard is applied to the next doping story in the pro peleton.
Blaze
Guest
Not getting caught up with anything Andymack, but don't you find it the slightest bit doubtful the way his story and reasonings came from nowhere, and even caught his team mates off guard? There is more to this... And Greenberg is a professional making things smell rosey...
AndyMack
Guest
well said Matt S. +1
AndyMack
Guest
NSW mayor. seriously oikee, you need to read a book. and not one full of pictures of naked ladies.... u r kidding.
AndyMack
Guest
yep, seems some clubs are treated differently to others....
AndyMack
Guest
how about we boot your team??? have u followed a team all your life?? want them booted??? Lets not forget that 5 other clubs were named in all this mess, only the sharks are victimised out of this. i guess they are the low hanging fruit, easy to pick off. go and crawl back under ur rock, saying such an awful thing. terrible.
AndyMack
Guest
lets get get caught up in Oikees speculation. has been known to make sweeping statements in the past.
AndyMack
Guest
u are a wonder oikee. in case u want to check the facts, aust avoided a recession in spite of the GFC.... but i guess facts are not your strong point. read a book mate.... might help.
AndyMack
Guest
louser......
AndyMack
Guest
once again, way off the mark. they went around to ask wtf??? he was in charge of dealing this stuff to the players, was trusted by the players. i would be knocking on his door askin what is going on as well. as would all of you im sure. if it was a "godfather" situation, u think the media would know about it. give me a break... lets not let facts get in way here....
Bluebag
Guest
How is it the fault of Sydney? Or is it just the inferiority complex from another Qlder? Sydney is the birthplace of the game in this country and still it's strongest citadel. Take a chillaxitive, bro.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It certainly is making the news. The thing that should concern most is the reaction from the bookies. They smell something.
Matt_S
Guest
No its going to a bloke who betrayed the players without their knowledge then trying to save his own skin by turning whistleblower, the worst type of scumbag. We still do have some semblence of manhood in this country i hope.
Matt_S
Guest
It's called not rushing out a statement just to please the Daily Telegraph
dishes
Guest
The Titans have said that their 2 players that played with the Sharks in 2011 haven't been contacted- seems like an absolute media beat up or a witchhunt or both
oikee
Guest
It is good to get this off your chest. Love the drama of the NRL, and this will be another chapter to add to our illustrous game. The possitives, things will change, the game will introduce measures to make sure it wont happen again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, until at least next time.
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Followed by gynecomastia...known colloquially as man boobies. :)