'Shattered' Flanagan suspended as crisis grows

Given the original comment has been removed, this website clearly agrees with "ESPN Me sticks his head in the sand and doesn't say anything". http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8904906/daring-ask-ped-question

All very sad. While cheating cannot be condoned, these are serious allegations and there needs to be a transparent process and clear evidence produced before charges an be leveled. There is no evidence of either yet. Maybe this will come, but in the meantime, I cannot help but feel that the Sharks have been picked on because they are weak. Let us see if other clubs are targeted. And let us not be churlish about Cronulla. They have been good for the game. Sure they have not won a premiership, but other clubs have not won one since the Sharks' entry into the comp either. And what great players they produced. Steve Rogers, Greg Pearce, Gavin Miller, Paul Gallen. They brought out the great Brits Cliff Watson and Roger Millward. They had a crack and let us hope they will survive this. As for their Board. Spineless and self-serving. I hope the players hold the line and defend the charges if they come.

Outstanding.....spot on.

Hi, agree with a lot of what has been said here and if all this is politically driven re whose d*ck is bigger it is more of a disgrace than it appears now. Wayneo I have heard with the Shsrks it was Danks & Elkin giving substances to the players without any involvement of club Doctor Givney...protocol required Doctor be involved in this but Danks in particular went directly to the players WITHOUT advising or clearing it with Givney. When Givney found out about it he initiated Danks removal from the Club.....he has since been dismissed by club board for mis-management issues....I think he heeds a medal. As he said in todays paper this whole debacle has bought into question his integrity not to mention livelihood. Flanagan knows all this and that is why he is so strong in his defence of support staff and the players. Look out Penrith, you may be next.

I've heard a number of former players, some now respected media commentators, so obviously not stupid, say that they did indeed take stuff they had no idea about. So what do you base these bold statements of yours on, Clynt?

Agree 100%. Since the drugs in sport press conference, ASADA have done nothing but make allegations, which is fine if they have evidence. In my opinion, there probably is substance to the allegations made by ASADA. But whether there is substance to these allegations or not is irrelevant at the moment, because ASADA have failed to produce any concrete evidence relating to specific people, and in the process, they have tarnished the whole of Australian sport, then the whole NRL, and now the entire Cronulla club. I don't think ASADA could have possibly done a worse job handling this issue. It's been said before, but to call a press conference to say "we know who's cheating, we have evidence, but we just can't divulge details of any kind," is utter madness. If they can prove their allegations, if they can prove that players knowingly took these banned substances, then fine, ban them all. Ban any guilty party involved in this. As it stands, they (for whatever reason) cannot prove who the cheats are, which means they shouldn't have said anything at all. If nothing comes from this, the NRL should supply the Sharks with the money to sue the pants off ASADA for defamation.

The Poms would find that subject absolutely fascinating.

This is totally different to Melbourne and Canterbury salary cap scandals. The players are not paid to know what supplements they take. That is why clubs employ sports scientists. The players are simply there to play footy. Why should the players question guys who have spent 5+ years at uni to become doctors? The doctors get paid so that the players don't have to worry about that stuff. And even if the players are questioning the doctors, do you think the doctors would say "actually no, these aren't legal, don't tell anyone though". Now, if it is proven that players have taken these things knowingly (and ASADA may well be able to prove it) then by all means ban them. But firstly, I seriously doubt that they did know, and secondly, we live in a society where you are innocent until proven guilty, and until ASADA come out with some CONCRETE EVIDENCE then no one should be sacked, suspended or stood down.

Billo The ACC releases reports on key issues all the time, for example they released a report on sex abuse in aboriginal communities, personally I think that is more serious issue than a couple of meatheads taking illegal supplements - but I bet 99% of Australians wouldn't even know about it.

It would be crazy if the guilty parties get no punishment and the innocent victims (players and fans) get punished. I know why there is no ability to plead ignorance with ASADA but in this case it's highly likely that they were completely ignorant about what they were being given.

Have a read of this.....absolutely disgraceful if Elkin and Dank are allowed to get away scot free. https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=10151565201912193&set=a.10150154833772193.331480.559687192&type=1&theater

id love to know how essendon found out about the investigations before the press conference. seems there early evidence along with that eel has bought them some partiality.

Has anyone heard any further developments re Essendon. It seems to have got very quiet down there in recent weeks.

nothing to worry about, people from the shire love getting there backs up about something local. cronulla sharks will be the new ned kelly by the end of the season.

Armstrong was part of a Team. US Postal. Cyclists very much ride to the benefit of the team. So I don;t get your point there. I think both those calling this a witch hunt with no substance and those saying it is serious and the world will end have to wait until evidence is madew public. The terrible thing here is that ASADA and the Cronulla board have acted before evidence is made public, which is ridiculous

OK, i do feel for the fans of the sharks, but relocating the team will keep the brand alive. This club cant survive in Sydney, let's make no mistake here and think a change of CEO will make everything good again. Bruno has been called in to help relocate the club to Brisbane. They have 2 areas ready to form a team and join the comp, with Sponsers already to go. The Brisbane Sharks would become a powerhouse of the comp. The Cronulla supporters can either stick solid, turn up to games in Sydney or take up surfing. This is a serious business that needs a serious response. The Sgarkies ahve been on life support forever, no building development will get them out of the fix they are in, that money will be spent on lawyers. Let Bruno do his job, get behind him and think yourself lucky someone cares.

I must say the product of rugby league will always stay strong but i can't help but feel this season is going to be overshadowed by this whole mess which is destined to continue for at least the next few months.

Sharks have no sponsers, Bruno has been called in to help them relocate to Brisbane. Read between the lines.

Scott- have you seen the recent movie The Life Of Pi ? I wouldn't want to plagiarise - but you should get my DRIFT. Let's see how it pans out first, before proceeding with another chapter.

Cronulla should get in touch with Beyond Blue about front of shirt sponsorship....