Brendan Bunyan is an amateur rugby player who plays for his beloved Burdekin Canetoads and loves his footy. He has never been paid and is no Paul Gallen.
But ‘Bunny’ works hard at his game, especially in the gym to ensure he can keep the weight on to compete in the front row.
While on an overseas holiday, Bunny saw some ‘supplements’ he thought would assist him. He was told they were legal, so he bought them.
In his Schapelle Corby moment, his bags were searched by customs and his supplements seized. He admitted to customs officers he had bought them to help him with his rugby union training. It was later deemed that the items were not WADA compliant.
Bunny hadn’t even opened his parcel, yet because he mentioned his sporting pursuits, ASADA was informed. He was later charged and issued with a two-year ban in August 2011.
It was finals time and Burdekin were top of the table for the first time in a decade. Bunny didn’t get the chance to play finals footy, informed that he could appeal but would need to pay a $10,000 fee and his own legal costs.
Bunny played for Queensland Country on and off over the years, but rugby is a passion not a job. He reluctantly copped it on the chin, did his time and focused on his work.
Paul Gallen and his Sharks teammates have admitted to taking banned substances. A deal was made with ASADA which saw them banned for 12 months, 11 months of which were backdated. Most involved will miss just three largely irrelevant matches.
Of course we are comparing apples and oranges here. These cases are involve complex legal matters, but can someone please explain to Bunny how that is fair?
Many have said that the NRL players were lucky to have the support of their club, the NRL and some would say ASADA to water down their sentences. No one has spoken of the harsh sentences issued to others like Bunny though.
ASADA are ruthless to the amateur sportsperson. “Rules are rules” they say.
Unfortunately no-one has talked to Brendan Bunyan. He is not an Origin player, just a bloke in North Queensland who loves his footy.
Unfortunately he missed his chance at a premiership with the Canetoads.
Paul Gallen gets his chance again next year… But unfortunately for him he is playing with the Sharks.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
The thing is, the point about being Johns' drugs not being performance enhancing is patently and utterly false. Anyoe who has played the game knows that confidence contributes about 99% to your performance. Johns himself has said on a number of occasions that when he partook, he felt invincible. So if that isn't perfromance enhancing, then I'm not writing writing a blog response on the Roar right at this moment. It's an incredibly disingenuous argument used by Johns' defenders that should be called out for what it is: complete bollocks. And yes, then there is the whole moral aspect to the Immortal thing. But this in and of itself casts enough grave aspersions credibility-wise as it is.
Kel Bunyan Bunnys Dad
Guest
Well all i can say is rules for one level and not the other. I just sent him the link of this. I did write to Asada on the week end
Alvin Purple
Guest
The problem with the offer is that it was too good to refuse. If was a player I would be thinking I have to take the offer as I am not sure what was in these supplements and even though I asked all the right questions and was given assurances I could find myself out for a longer period. The alternative was for ASADA to say you are banned for two years. This may have meant a long court case and who knows what real evidence they had.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
Gallen is the only player currently in the cronulla sharks squad who is good enough to play for any of the teams in the NRL that aren't the Tigers or the Raiders. Excuse us for not really caring about the scrubs.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
They aren't the only sports in the US I would say it makes them less corrupt. At least they don't pretend they aren't cheating.
peeeko
Roar Guru
yet again Paul Gallen gets all the mentions, there were another 16 players.
peeeko
Roar Guru
it wasnt the ARU it was ASADA
Jake
Guest
Fun fact, NFL and MLB aren't under the WADA/USADA code? So it's as corrupt as possible
Jake
Guest
It will be a joy and very interesting. How will Gallen, Flanagen and co. react if Essendon manage to avoid bans? If it is proven that there was a breach in ASADA protocol? Will that justify Gallen and co. to appeal their bans?
Matthew Edwards
Guest
It isn't the NRL Commission's fault. It was ASADA being terrible at their job. They didn't want a legal battle with an NRL club. They happily crucify someone who can't afford to fight the charges. But they will never go after people that can afford the legal battle. It is the same in the US
Silver Sovereign
Guest
Wendell sailor got 2 years for using some coke. What a joke. I wonder what ban he would have got if we still playing league. I will say this for union, they actually have some guts to hand out proper punishments in games with the refereeing and with drug taking
S.L. Craven
Guest
Lets also be realistic about why small time amateurs are targeted. Its because they don't have the resources or the commercial vested interest to fight back. Its easy for the big kids at school to bully someone who can't fight back. Of course, in the Courts in Melbourne at the moment, ASADA does has someone who is their own size and with a top shelf and expensive legal team who is fighting back against them. It will be a joy to see how it plays out.
Matthew Edwards
Guest
There are many supplements that don't fall under the banner of PEDs
Matthew Edwards
Guest
The roosters referred themselves to asada. No further actions were taken... Even if they had it really only accentuates the point. If roosters players were banned I would probably be still watching for mini. My point here was the double standard that these athletes in the NRL have obviously been given. Meanwhile people in minor and unprofessional sports get absolutely crucified for the same or similar offenses. If the Roosters were cheating and get caught and were given the same punishment as the Sharks, which logic would dictate they would, I would be just as disillusioned as I am now.
Tiger
Guest
What do you expect from the NRL when the biggest drug user of them all became an Immortal..A. Johns! Don't kid yourself that so called 'recreational' drugs don't boost your performance..they make you feel invincible..just perfect for a hard sport like League.So this slap on the wrist is no suprise! Ps An Immortal should not just be defined by what you do on the field but how you represent the code off the field as well..leave the Hall of Fame for those who perform well on the field..
HarryT
Guest
Yes Zedman. The word supplement should be banished and replaced with 'drugs' at all times.
HarryT
Guest
Actually Matthew, a bigger joke was the non action of the NRL to the alleged high HGH results of 5 Roosters.
Gr8rWeStr
Guest
As your story highlights, there does appear to be an inconsistent imposition of the ASADA/WADA band for illegal supplement use. I have no problem with Bunny getting a 2 year ban, even if he had actually never taken any of the supplements, but so should those Cronulla players who have admitted their use. Plea bargaining appears to have once again raised it ugly, unjust head. How can anyone take a 12 month ban where those banned actually continued to play nearly a full season as anything but a farce?
Ronnie
Guest
These bans were a complete disgrace and damage us all. ASADA's credibility is now shot and the message going out to amateurs and youngsters is do what you like. Surely WADA have to step in and put this right. ASADA talks of this being a 12 month ban. How on earth can they justify that ? Do they not understand English ?, a ban means that you are prevented from doing something and to be prevented from doing something it must be going forward. This penalty is a complete cop out and disgraces us all.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Brendan was holidaying overseas and just happened to see some drugs that would help him play better footy ,this is where your article pooped itself. If this story is bona fide you're not doing Brendan any favours repeating it on the Roar.