Sports scientist Stephen Dank wants a government inquiry into the AFL’s Essendon supplements scandal.
As Dank awaits his verdict from the AFL anti-doping tribunal, he said there was an attempt to “bastardise” the investigation into what happened at Essendon during the 2012 season.
Dank confirmed he will initiate his own legal action once the tribunal hands down its finding.
He said on Tuesday night that comments from various high-profile figures about the number of injections administered to Essendon players in his supplements program amounted to character assassination.
But in his interview on Sky TV, Dank was not asked for his own estimate on the number of injections.
“From my point of view, I would like to see something in relation to a Senate inquiry,” Dank said of the joint AFL-ASADA investigation.
Dank, who refused to meet with ASADA investigators, said he would have co-operated with authorities in different circumstances.
“They tried to bastardise the process, that’s why we went through what we went through for two and a bit years,” he said.
On March 31, the same AFL anti-doping tribunal that is about to pass judgment on Dank also found 34 current and past Essendon players not guilty of doping offences.
At the time, the tribunal said it would announce a verdict on Dank after Easter.
The key reason for the tribunal finding the players not guilty is that there was no direct evidence of what they were given in the supplements program.
“The appalling part of all that is that you’ve had a number of people … for them to simply, loosely, throw around numbers (of injections), and quote numbers, to me is a blatant disregard to what evidence is there,” he said.
“In some ways, it is direct character assassination – and that’s fine, we’ll meet that head-on in court.
“But the real bottom line from my point of view is they’re simply trying to structure information to obtain the end result they want.”
Dank insists he gave the players Thymomodulin, which is permitted under the anti-doping code, and not the banned Thymosin beta-4.
Dank added detailed paperwork was kept on the supplements program while he was at the club.
“We kept quite a deal of paperwork, for want of a better term, at the football club,” he said.
“That particular paperwork was crucial to the management of the program.
“I left them with Essendon on the day I left the football club … they are the property of Essendon.”
Dank added he also kept computer spreadsheets, documenting the supplements given to players.
“They have obviously somehow disintegrated, because those records were intact and complete,” he said.
And Dank insists that the supplements program had Essendon’s blessing.
“I had plenty of support while I was there,” he said.
“They all knew the processes, they all knew what was happening and suddenly I’m finding out about issues post-February (2013).”
Dank again blasted ASADA, again saying he was never going to co-operate with its investigation.
“In our view, the whole investigation has been highly corrupted and highly contaminated,” he said.
Dank is now waiting to go to court.
“We were always resolute about taking this on in court,” he said.
“We’ve worked out our court action.
“I guess the depth of that court action depends on the (tribunal) finding.”
Pumping Dougie
Guest
The 'independent' AFL tribunal is yet to adjudicate on Dank's guilt (which ASADA are waiting for). Part of this decision is probably about: "Did Danks keep appropriate records?" If not, he is directly guilty (as opposed to the wider guilt on the whole club) of poor governance and professional negligence. So Danks' way out of this is to say, "I did keep records but I left them at EFC", therefore shifting the blame on to the club for the loss of the records, which it has already been punished for. If the club (or Danks, in his role at the club) destroyed the records, the individuals responsible are guilty of a criminal offense; but nobody will ever be able to prove they were destroyed. So it's a smart line to trot out by Danks, regardless of whether its true or false. But if Danks did keep records like he claims and hypothetically he still holds a copy of those records, i may not be in his interests to disclose them if they reflect poorly on him. In any case, a spreadsheet could be conjured up after the event.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
I hope not, for the players' sake. But irrespective of what was in those drugs, the players should not have participated in an injection regime anyway. Hird must have unbelievable charisma to sway so many players and supporters in support of him, in spite of what he promoted internally.
Andrew
Guest
I'm extremely horrified that Hird is still there and are fully supported by the players. Just wonder if the long term effects of TB4 come and haunt the players later in life.
Bobbo7
Guest
Seeing him continue to coach makes me so angry. It's just wrong.
Mikey
Guest
AB - The apologists also don't seem to think Hird should be held to account for his repeated claims that he was certain (modified under oath to "the best of my knowledge") that no illegal substances were administered.If there are no records how could he know? He couldn't - it just sounds good to say it. "To the best of my knowledge" really translates to "No friggin idea" . But Hird ts seem to think that as long as you sound convincing and sincere then you can say anything you like.-and at least some (very gullible)) people will believe you. One thing I have learnt from this - It seems you can get away with just about anything if your are a champion footballer. If Jack the Ripper had been a champion footballer I am now sure there would be a long line of apologists making every excuse as to why the murders were not his fault - or maybe didn't actually happen at all!
AB
Guest
I agree Mikey. The point that seems to escape all the Essendon apologists is that there are only two possible explanations for what's happened: either Hird knowingly oversaw a regime under which his players were injected with unknown substances without even the most basic attempt at record-keeping, in which case he should never coach again; or he's lying, in which case he should never coach again.
Penster
Guest
Records kept electronically very difficult to permanently delete if they're backed up to a server. Essendon, they do use computers and the interwebs despite Doc Reid's handwritten note to the board, or is someone employed to rule up lines in an exercise book?
Penster
Guest
You have to go to a great deal of trouble to delete anything permanently from a server. Records in 2015 are not created with a thumbnail dipped in tar.
Mikey
Guest
My recollection is that Dank has claimed repeatedly that he has the records (or copies of) and was going to reveal them at the appropriate time (which I assume was going to be in court). I also recollect that he claimed that he would help the players with the information he has at the appropriate time. (The players did get off - but with no help from Dank). However now he is claiming that he doesn't have records at all - the only records in existence are/were at the EFC - apparently. I was initially staggered that Dank's contradictory admission that he doesn't actually have any records wasn't challenged in the interview - but then I realised the interviewer was Alan Jones and that explains why. The really disturbing aspect of this is that either Dank or the EFC are lying. The EFC clearly don't have the records so they either never had them or they were destroyed. If the EFC are telling the truth and never had the records - then Dank is lying. So why?Either way it is a damning indictment on everyone involved in this complete shambles and reinforces my belief why everyone involved in implementing the programme - including Dank and Hird - should never be allowed to work at an AFL club again. . It really is a sad blight on our game that Hird is still coach.
Knoxy
Guest
This guy just keeps changing his story. Utter sleaze.
Nicko
Guest
Worse Pumping Dougie, the Tribunal was satisfied that TB4 was ordered in China; they were satisfied that it was mixed in Melbourne; they were satisfied that it was delivered to Danks...but were not convinced that it was given to the players...so what happened to all this TB4? Lets face it, it was a home ground decision by the AFL knowing full well that it would be difficult for ASADA to prove otherwise in the absence off the documents... The whole saga stinks...but then I guess the AFL needs to protect its image...
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Natalie I'll admit the way I structured my comments to Casper went from fact to opinion with lack of distinction between the two resulting in ****house reading. Point taken and I will make sure I am more clear in future.
Natalie Swansfan
Guest
Rick, settle down champ. "I 100 per cent know you can’t do this – go check the law on it if you like!". I actually didn't say you were wrong, and know this myself. It is when you start saying things like: "precisely because they burnt the records!" that you appear to, or profess to, know things that you clearly cannot prove. Otherwise.....we wouldn't be having this conversation/reading this article. Your analysis of certain situations is often very thorough and is always enjoyable to read but you can also sometimes make some fairly outrageous statements without any basis......which is mostly what you preach to us not to do.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Spot on Nicko. Either of those conclusions are valid and no other conclusion can sensibly be reached. The Players lawyers defense has been, "we don't know so how could you know". Despite invoice trails implying TB4 was purchased, the judges in their wisdom concluded there was no proof that was what was actually delivered, or injected, given that there was no stock left and the players didn't test positive. They didn't bother requiring the players to demonstrate what else it could have been, despite the injection schedule matching TB4 not TB. The lawyers argued successfully, it's not up to the players to speculate what it might have been, because their line of defense is, "we don't know". The onus then fell upon ASADA to prove what was injected, individual-by-individual. Which in the absence of records to inspect, makes it a pretty good reason and decision to have destroyed the evidence. Scenario 1 is a possibility but you'd think Scenario 2, given the invoice trail and injection schedule matching TB4, is the more likely.
Nicko
Guest
So Dank never gave the payers TB4 and all this was noted down in detailed records, and the records were given to EFC, whip promptly destroyed the records...so EFC destroyed records that would prove that they were innocent??...and could have saved them two years of pain...am I missing something here? The only logical conclusion you can come to is: 1) there were no records, in which case the club has already been punished for inept governance 2) there are records of exactly what was given to the players...and it is not pretty
Casper
Guest
We'll it's good that we find humour in each other's posts. I'm still laughing at you wanting ASADA and WADA to fill the gaps in in their evidence loop. I guess two years was not enough time then.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Natalie - I was making reference to Casper's reason as to where he thinks the medical records went. I 100 per cent know you can't do this - go check the law on it if you like! As such, he won't be able to explain this as a reason, because if he does use it then he is admitting to the EFC acting in an illegal manner. We can't have that of Casper now can we Natalie? And yes, my little fictional skit is of course my opinion of what probably happened. I'm sorry if you couldn't see past the humour there, despite you sounding like you agree with it.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Casper, you clown, I'll give you credit for being a defiant, unapologetic, flagbearer on this site for the EFC defence. Your posts don't exactly exhibit intelligence though. But that in itself brings humour.
Natalie Swansfan
Guest
"I think it would be best you just be silent on the issue and be thankful your boys got off – precisely because they burnt the records!" Rick, unless you actually know that, you are specuclating......just like everyone else. Your summary is a great fictional view of what has gone on and I have similar fantasies to yours. But don't make those sorts of general statements that you can't prove.....you are starting to sound like ASADA.
Bobbo7
Guest
Spot on