The pharmacist to the stars

The man everybody wants to find: Former Essendon sports scientist Steve Dank in 2005 when with NRL club Manly. Source: The Daily Telegraph

Essendon call in AFL and ASADA to investigate the club's training regime and suppliments given to players.

Victory University Institute of Sport's Simon Outram chats to Fox Sports News about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in light of the Essendon stimulant scandal.

Artwork: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

THEY call Stephen Dank "The Pharmacist". And until late last year he was Essendon's performance scientist.

But don't go looking for his name in the club's staff registry - any trace of him as a Bombers official has now been erased.

Dank quietly left Essendon last year amid the fallout from the club's dramatic slide down the ladder.

Melbourne Football Club has since knocked him back for a job in its own football department - perhaps a rare stroke of fortune for the tanking-accused Demons.

Today, Dank and Bombers bosses have some serious explaining to do about what was going on at Windy Hill last year.

What were the substances being used by Essendon players and why has the club now asked the AFL and the Australian Anti-Doping Authority to investigate?
But Dank's practices are not unknown in Australia.

In 2005, he made headlines while working for the NRL's Manly Sea Eagles.

As the club's physiologist, Dank and the Sea Eagles created a world first in sport by using DNA testing to increase player performance.

It was also reported he had Manly players using a $300-per-litre anti-inflammatory product called Lact-Away, which is made from the bark of French pine and was initially a racehorse treatment. And then there was a product containing calves' blood extract, which helps to heal muscular injuries and increases stamina.

They all raised eyebrows but Dank soon moved on, eventually finding his way to Essendon at the start of last year after doing part-time work with Gold Coast Suns.

The Bombers make their way up the race before a match last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Dank has also had a long association with Essendon high-performance manager Dean Robinson, who calls himself The Weapon.

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 The duo worked closely at the Sea Eagles and have always stayed in touch.

When The Weapon moved to Geelong to help the club claim the 2007 flag, he was in almost daily contact with his mate Dank.

"We discuss ideas and philosophies and a lot of them are common to both the Sea Eagles and the Cats," Robinson boasted in an interview in 2007.

But Dank is less inclined to talk about what he does.

"I don't do media interviews," Dank declared while at Manly in 2008. "What the sports science department does stays in-house."

A Melbourne Football Club spokeswoman yesterday confirmed Dank had applied for a job at the club.

"He applied for a job at the club late last year but he was unsuccessful," she said. "He has never had any direct contact with the players."

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Pies cut leadership group to four

Collingwood reduce their leadership group to four: Nick Maxwell, Scott Pendlebury, Luke Ball and Dayne Beams.

Coach Nathan Buckley, captain Nick Maxwell, vice-captain Scott Pendlebury and deputy vice-captains Dayne Beams and Luke Ball after the announcement of the Magpies' leadership group aboard a Emirates Boeing 380 Airbus yesterday. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD defender Nick Maxwell will continue as the club's captain for a fifth straight season, with Scott Pendlebury to remain vice-captain.

Dayne Beams was a surprise elevation into the club's leadership group for the first time, with last year's senior group of Heath Shaw, Travis Cloke, Dale Thomas and Harry O'Brien all dropped.

Rounding out the four-man leadership team is midfielder Luke Ball, who remains in the role despite sitting out the majority of the 2012 season with a knee injury.

It will also be the fifth season Pendlebury, 25, has held the deputy role.

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The captaincy group was unveiled at Melbourne Airport yesterday morning, with Maxwell saying in a statement that Beams had been rewarded for an improved work ethic over the past two seasons.

"'Beamsy' has made tremendous strides in the last 18 months, setting an example that is particularly powerful to our younger players," Maxwell said.

"He is proof to us all that hard work and dedication can make a profound difference."

Coach Nathan Buckley said he was happy for the solid backman to maintain his role but emphasised it had been down to the players to decide on who was best suited to the job. 

Buckley said the decision on the leadership group had been uncomplicated with all four players standing out as obvious choices among the players. 

"It was a relatively simple process to choose them - it's about influence and getting people to come our way,'' Buckley said. 

"These players will be expected to drive this playing group to great things this season.'' 

Buckley said that Maxwell "stood out" as the obvious leader. 

Maxwell said much of the responsibility would be spread among the senior players. 

"It's about the senior players who will have the responsibility - it doesn't matter what title you've got, it's about them doing the job," Maxwell said. 

Pendlebury showed his commitment to the Pies by signing a four-year contract last March. 

Maxwell is out of contract at the end of this season but said he thought last season was one of his best. 

"According to the coach and my reviews, last year was one of the best years I've had as a player," he said. 

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Crows deny rumours of Power spy

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson. The club denies his plans have been leaked to Port Adelaide by a trainer. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE is dismissing suggestions there has been a security breach of coach Brenton Sanderson's planning at West Lakes, after the removal of a back-room official.

The Crows last month replaced a trainer, saying he could no longer combine the increasing time demands at a professional sporting club and a full-time job.

But the sudden reaction and speculation this week - including claims of inside information being passed to AFL rival Port Adelaide - has shocked Adelaide officials, as highlighted by acting football operations chief David Noble saying yesterday: "How this has grown to what it has is beyond me.

"We have not sacked anyone (as claimed on Adelaide radio on Monday).

"And the innuendo (of information being leaked to the Power) has become stressful to the trainer."

Port is denying it has become the beneficiary of "disgruntled" or "loose-lipped" official from Adelaide, which on Friday will keep the cloak of secrecy on its off-season planning by locking the gates before an internal trial at AAMI Stadium.

The search for a competitive edge - the much-treasured "intellectual property" that defines how an AFL team prepares and plays - is one of the game's dilemmas.

Every AFL club has its full-time contracts with confidentiality clauses. Volunteers agree to a code of conduct that includes a demand of confidentiality.

The problem of protecting inside information at an AFL club is when coaches are sacked, players are traded and staff move on.

"We make it clear they cannot take our plans with them," said Port football chief Peter Rohde.

"The challenge is when high-profile staff feel they developed and own that intellectual property and not the club."

In the past two decades there have been three notable cases of a club official being labelled with "leaking" to rivals - two at Alberton.

Inaugural Power coach John Cahill, after being replaced by Mark Williams at the end of 1998, was accused but not proven to have detailed strengths and weaknesses of the Port players to rival clubs and coaches.

Late last season, Port sacked assistant midfield coach Ryan McMillan for allegedly speaking "gossip" of internal happenings at Alberton to rival clubs.

It did not accuse McMillan of leaking the Power's secrets.

Geelong was not as prudent with its sacked fitness coach Loris Bertolacci, who in 2007 was taken to court accused of breaching copyright by allegedly outlining the Cats' game plan in documents to rival clubs.

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Demetriou says no excuses

Essendon call in AFL and ASADA to investigate the club's training regime and suppliments given to players.

Victory University Institute of Sport's Simon Outram chats to Fox Sports News about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in light of the Essendon stimulant scandal.

The Bombers make their way up the race before a match last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Artwork: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON players and officials can be penalised under the AFL's Anti-Doping Code even if they were not aware banned substances were being used.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said last night: "There are no excuses."

The football world was rocked yesterday by a confession from Essendon that it had called on the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority to investigate possible inappropriate use of supplements by players.

The club last night stood down high performance manager Dean "The Weapon" Robinson, pending the outcome of investigations.

Editorial: Drugs menace is a great game

Performance scientist Stephen Dank, known as "The Pharmacist", worked with Robinson at Gold Coast Suns.

He advised Robinson when Robinson was at Geelong, but left Essendon last year after dissatisfaction with his performance.

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 Robinson was recruited to the Bombers on the recommendation of assistant coach Mark Thompson. The pair had worked together in the Cats' premierships years of 2007 and 2009, Thompson as coach.

The Bombers denied knowledge of the use of banned performance-enhancing substances, but Demetriou stressed that would not save them if found guilty.

It emerged players had been given injections last year away from the club's Windy Hill headquarters.

Some players allegedly were asked to sign waiver forms surrounding the use of supplements.

The pharmacist to the stars

 Demetriou first discussed the revelations with Essendon on Monday before club chairman David Evans and chief executive Ian Robson met AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier and league No.2 Gillon McLachlan yesterday.

"This is a minefield ... we've received information that's concerned us," Evans said.Calling for calm on a potentially disastrous day for the Bombers and the AFL, Demetriou said rules were strict.

The Bombers make their way up the race before a match last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority regulations mirror the World Anti-Doping Authority standard - players and officials can face up to a two-year ban for a first offence.

"Under the ASADA rules, whether you knew or not it's no excuse ... they are the WADA rules," Demetriou said. "Under the rules, the way they are structured at the moment, which all world sport has to follow, they apply to officials and under our rules they can apply to a club.

"In relation to WADA, when it comes to rules, and the rules are pretty specific, and other people have abused them ... but these guys get educated every year and they know before they ingest anything or take anything, and if you have any doubt, you ring the hotline or ring your doctor."

Demetriou would not speculate on possible bans.

"People should not jump to conclusions," he said.

"They have just started the investigation. They don't know what they have taken or alleged to have taken. They don't know the composition, and they don't even know if they have broken any WADA rules.

"They have come forward, so I think they are entitled to the benefit of the doubt."

The AFL Players' Association last night backed the AFL-ASADA inquiry.

"Clubs providing players with supplements and directions as to their players' training requirements have a significant responsibility and, in our view, any concerns regarding the nature of such directions ought to be treated with the utmost seriousness," chief executive Matt Finnis said.

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Hawks compo riddle

Hawthorn could be left with a mid-20s draft pick if Lance Franklin leaves the club at th end of the year. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL has confirmed it is yet to set the compensation criteria for free agency this year, which could result in Hawthorn being handed only a mid-20s draft pick if Lance "Buddy" Franklin leaves at the end of the year.

The game's most exciting player is assessing the market, and under last year's formula Hawthorn would attract a mid-first round pick as compensation.

Hawthorn has conceded privately that Franklin is effectively an unrestricted free agent because it does not have the salary cap room to match an offer of more than $1 million.

But if he does leave, there is no certainty about whether the Hawks would get even the pick No.13 that St Kilda received for Brendon Goddard.

Just as the Saints did not match Essendon's offer for Goddard, the Hawks cannot hope to match about $1.2 million a year for Franklin.

In coming weeks the AFL will ask clubs for feedback on last year's first free agency period, and comprehensive changes are possible.

That includes the length of the period, the overlap between free agency and the trade period, and potentially the compensation formula.

Some clubs already have lobbied the AFL for a system under which the maximum compensation for a free agent would be a pick at the end of the first round.

Others believe there should be no compensation for free agents, or only for restricted free agents.

Hawthorn might feel aggrieved that the compensation formula could change with the year already under way and the NAB Cup only nine days away.

It was frustrated last year to receive only pick No.68 when Clinton Young left for Collingwood, and nothing when Tom Murphy landed on the Gold Coast.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday said several issues had to be decided before the free agency period in October.

"In the next month or so we will write to all clubs for feedback and have a decision early in the season," Keane said.

"We have a formula at the moment that applied to restricted and unrestricted free agency, so we will ask clubs for feedback about that, the same as we do with the tribunal and the laws of the game. After we receive the feedback we will have a decision."

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Blues in bid to make MCG home

Carlton star Marc Murphy models the Blues new clash strip. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON wants to make the MCG its primary home ground as part of a bold bid to re-establish itself as an on and off-field power.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Blues are intent on signing a deal to play up to eight games a year at the AFL mecca when their contract with Etihad Stadium expires at the end of 2014.

Carlton today will unveil its new clash jumper, incorporating a more traditional navy blue and white look, at the club's first intra-club practice match of 2013 at Visy Park from 10am.

The new strip - which ditches the controversial pale blue design - co-incides with the announcement of a three-year sponsorship extension with confectionary giant Mars.

The Blues' plan to become a tenant club of the MCG - at the end of its 150th year celebration next season - could depend on the strength of its membership base when venue talks heat up mid-year.

Carlton has more than 33,000 members but could need more than 50,000 to play the bulk of its home matches at the MCG from 2015.

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Chief executive Greg Swann said the club's ability to convert its supporters into members this season was crucial to the MCG deal.

"In comparison to some of the other clubs, it's a bit of a stone in our shoe, because we think we have got hundreds of thousands of supporters out there," Swann told the Herald Sun.

"We think if we can push it and head towards 60,000 (members) like some of the other clubs it just gives us a bigger bargaining chip when we sit down with Etihad and the AFL and everybody else for that matter about getting more home games at the 'G.

"So it's a big year for us."

Swann said increased exposure to blockbuster games with near capacity crowds at the MCG would benefit the team and the club's bottom line.

"Etihad has been fantastic. But if we want to get back up the ladder and playing deep into finals, the MCG is the place where all those big games are and the big crowds are, and we want to be part of it as often as we can," he said.

"When we play big blockbusters we nearly fill the place (MCG), so to get there more regularly will help us with membership and sponsorship and everything else that comes with it. Financially it's a better equation for us."

 Swan said MCG powerbrokers were supportive of the Blues' pitch.

Collingwood, Melbourne, Hawthorn and Richmond are the MCG's tenant clubs.

The Blues have a 10-year agreement to play six games a season at Etihad.

Swan yesterday welcomed the Mars extension, which secures its place on the front of the Carlton jumper for away games and the back for home games.

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Doping expert's scrutiny warning

Essendon call in AFL and ASADA to investigate the club's training regime and suppliments given to players.

Victory University Institute of Sport's Simon Outram chats to Fox Sports News about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in light of the Essendon stimulant scandal.

Essendon bosses Ian Robson, David Evans and James Hird fronted the media yesterday. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

THE great unknown of what is actually in supplements is the biggest danger to professional athletes.

A leading anti-doping expert has warned that because supplements aren't produced in a controlled environment, like medication, there are risks involved.

"The main problem is that because it's not controlled like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) controls medications, you don't know 100 per cent what is in them," former World Anti-Doping Agency director Nicki Vance said.

The pharmacist to the stars

"If you look at the WADA website and ASADA (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority) website, all the anti-doping organisations will have a blanket statement that you use supplements at your own risk.

"That's the general rule of thumb from all anti-doping organisations."

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Vance said some major sports, including cycling teams, worked closely with organisations - including leading university laboratories - to prepare appropriate supplements.

"That way they know they have got nothing banned in them," she said.

"You look at what happened with the BALCO stuff in the US, where in Salt Lake City there were a lot of drug manufacturers there making supplements.

"They might make one batch of supplements which are perfectly all right but they don't have to be so controlled so the next batch happens to be done after a batch of anabolic steroids (has just been produced) for example."

Vance said it was debatable how useful supplements would be for AFL footballers.

Bombers players make their way off the MCG in 2012. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"You talk to one nutritionist and they might say it is a very expensive urine," she said. "If you don't need something generally it is just a waste product and will go straight through.

"But you will find others who will say if you are working at a very hard level, like in Aussie rules, they may have an iron deficiency so there might be some very legitimate use of medication done in the appropriate way."

ASADA CEO Aurora Andruska spoke with the Essendon Football Club yesterday and immediately appealed for people involved to come forward.

"Every bit of information, no matter how little, could be a piece of a puzzle that uncovers doping in sport," an ASADA spokesman said.

"It would be premature to speculate about what action will be taken before the investigation is concluded."

The standard ban, according to the WADA code for using performance-enhancing drugs, is two years, though that can vary.

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Players face two-year bans

Essendon call in AFL and ASADA to investigate the club's training regime and suppliments given to players.

Victory University Institute of Sport's Simon Outram chats to Fox Sports News about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in light of the Essendon stimulant scandal.

Essendon players could face lengthy bans if found guilty of doping. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: HWT Image Library

ESSENDON must be casting a rueful eye across its 2013 membership slogan: "We are doing whatever it takes."

If several Bombers players are found to have used a substance that breaches the anti-doping code, they face the prospect of at least one and possibly two years out of the game.

The standard contract of a player spells out they must comply with the code, which is "integral to the AFL's integrity". The players' association spells it out on its literature about the code: "Using a performance-enhancing drug or method to improve athletic performance is cheating."

The standard sanction for using substances that are performance-enhancing, or which "violate the spirit of the sport" is a two-year ban.

Should the players admit to violating the code, however, "and that admission is the only reliable evidence of the violation at the time of the admission", the penalty can be reduced by half.

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It is believed the Essendon players were asked to sign waiver forms regarding treatment they received, and that several had grave reservations. But neither that, nor ignorance, would absolve them of any responsibility for using banned substances.

The terms of the AFL's investigation of Essendon are yet to be established.

As the acting head of football operations, Gillon McLachlan will oversee the league's involvement, and integrity officer Brett Clothier will work closely with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

Under the AFL's rules any player, official or administrator must co-operate with the investigation, which Essendon has flagged its intention to do.

Essendon coach James Hird, along with chief executive Ian Robson and chairman David Evans, talk to the media about inappropriate use of supplements by some players at the club during the 2012 season. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

A spokesman for ASADA said it was "premature to speculate about what action will be taken before the investigation is concluded".

Apart from individual sanctions, the AFL has broad powers under its rules to penalise a club should it be deemed to have brought the game into disrepute.

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Dons injected at secret locations

Essendon call in AFL and ASADA to investigate the club's training regime and suppliments given to players.

Victory University Institute of Sport's Simon Outram chats to Fox Sports News about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in light of the Essendon stimulant scandal.

Essendon players training at Windy Hill in 2012. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Artwork: David Mcarthur Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON players were taken away from the club and injected with unknown substances by sports science staff last season.

The Herald Sun can reveal the off-site injections will form part of an investigation by the AFL and Australia's anti-doping watchdog into inappropriate use of supplements at the club in 2012.

Sources allege organised crime gangs also have been linked to the scandal.

It is alleged the alarm was raised at Windy Hill midway through last season about the activities of the club's performance scientist, Stephen Dank, who has since left the club.

BELOW: Possible sanctions that could be imposed by WADA and the AFL

Expense forms totalling more than $10,000, including the cost of a registered nurse to perform injections, were regularly submitted by Dank to the club.

Essendon late last night stood down club high performance manager Dean Robinson, pending the outcome of the investigation.

The substances, which have not been identified, were taken orally, by injection and intravenously.

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Essendon players were asked to sign waivers, supposedly exonerating the club of wrongdoing in the taking of the mystery substances.

It is understood an Essendon official spoke to an organised crime investigative body about his knowledge of performance-enhancing drugs in football last November.

The AFL is aware that its sport is being targeted by peddlers of illegal substances.

The Herald Sun last night submitted questions to the Australian Crime Commission, a leading law enforcement body in the fight against organised crime. In response, it said: "The Australian Crime Commission does not confirm who it is or isn't investigating."

Essendon coach James Hird, along with chief executive Ian Robson and chairman David Evans, talk to the media about inappropriate use of supplements by some players at the club during the 2012 season. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

BELOW: See timeline of club's past three years and snapshot of the Bombers' 2012 season

Sources last night warned at least one more club could be implicated over misuse of supplements.

It is known Essendon's highly respected club doctor, Bruce Reid, became frustrated by elements of Dank's work with the players last year.

But Bombers chiefs yesterday claimed they had become aware of "concerning information" only in the past two days. 

Who is Stephen Dank?

 Axed former Essendon star Kyle Reimers told Channel 9 last night: "They (Essendon) admitted to us that it was right on the edge.

"Speaking to blokes from other clubs, I don't think anyone has ever thought about signing it or doing the stuff we were doing.

"After a couple of months away from it, it does seem pretty odd that, the type of stuff we were taking."

Editorial: Drugs menace is a great game

Essendon yesterday stressed the recent departures of football boss Paul Hamilton and chief operating officer Dom Cato were not related to the scandal.

The Herald Sun contacted a number of senior Essendon officials about the allegations on Monday and they strongly denied any wrongdoing by the club last year.

They now fear, however, banned drugs may have been given to their players without the knowledge of senior officials.

The club had late night meetings on Monday and again yesterday before coming forward to the AFL.

Players face two-year bans

Bombers chairman David Evans said: "The integrity at the club is critical, and that's why we've moved quickly to contact the AFL.

"The info we gathered over the last 24 or 48 hours is slightly concerning, and we want to dig a bit deeper but we want the AFL to help us."

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has long made known his dislike for the growing influence of sports scientists in the game.

Last night he said: "They (Essendon) have just started the investigation. They don't know what they have taken or alleged to have taken, they don't know the composition, and they don't even know if they have broken any WADA rules.

"They have come forward so I think they are entitled to the benefit of the doubt."

Dejected Essendon players depart the MCG after another loss late in the season last year. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S 2012 IN A SNAPSHOT

- The Bombers soared to an 8-1 win-loss record and are second on the table heading into June. Their premiership odds are crunched as Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton and Dustin Fletcher lead the charge.

- The Dons' opening nine weeks eventuated despite a spate of early-season injuries and included a stunning 30-point win against Carlton, which is the flag favourite at the time.

- A shock loss to straggler Melbourne in Round 10 lights the fuse for Essendon's dramatic demise in the second half of the season. The Dons are the first side to lose to the Dees under Mark Neeld.

- Dons chairman David Evans is forced to publicly defend high-performance manager Dean Robinson ("The Weapon") for the injury curse in August. Essendon's soft-tissue epidemic claims about a dozen stars, including Michael Hurley, David Zaharakis, Brent Stanton, Paddy Ryder, David Hille and Stewie Crameri.

- Essendon peters out to finish with an 11-11 record, dropping 10 of the final 13 matches to finish 11th on the ladder.

- The Dons record embarrassing losses to Richmond (45 points) and Carlton (96) in the final month of the season.

- Jobe Watson becomes the first player since Shane Crawford in 1999 to win the Brownlow Medal from a non-finalist, polling 30 votes.

- Essendon parts company with sports science guru Stephen Dank in the fallout from their wretched collapse last season.

- Football manager Paul Hamilton reportedly walks out in September, with Danny Corcoran taking charge at Windy Hill.

Essendon's big guns (from left), chief executive Ian Robson, chairman David Evans and coach James Hird, front the media yesterday. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

What they said
"I am very disappointed. Shocked, is probably the best word ... I believe we followed processes; we put in place the right kind of processes. My understanding is we worked within the framework that was given to us by the AFL and I am shocked to be sitting here really.'' - Essendon coach James Hird

"I think the investigation takes its course from here and we learn more, as I said earlier I don't have all the answers but as you would agree this is a minefield. It takes experts, we have contacted experts today and we will use them to help us with the findings.'' - Essendon chairman David Evans

"David Evans has briefed the AFL about the matter and we support his actions. The AFL's Integrity Unit already works closely with ASADA and will assist with the investigation.'' - Acting AFL Football Operations Manager Gillon McLachlan

TIMELINE
End of 2010
- Geelong premiership coach Mark Thompson quits the Cats to join Essendon as James Hird's senior assistant. He says the Bombers must get bigger.

End of 2011
- Former Geelong and Gold Coast fitness guru Dean ``The Weapon'' Robinson joins Essendon and says his pre-season program for the under-sized Bombers will be ``intense''.

Start of 2012
- Robinson recruits long-time collaborator sports scientist Stephen Dank. Known as "The Pharmacist'', Dank worked at NRL club Manly and Gold Coast Suns in the AFL with Robinson.

End of season 2012
- Robinson has his role downgraded as former Athletics Australia chief executive Danny Corcoran takes on more responsibility.

- Jobe Watson win the Brownlow medal, polling 30 votes.

- Football manager Paul Hamilton quits the club.

- Dank parted company with the club amid concern over the sports science program.

Yesterday
- Essendon chairman David Evans says "over the last 48 hours the Essendon Football Club has received information about supplements that have been given to our players as part of the fitness program of 2012". ADL and ASADA launch investigations.

Last night
- Essendon stands down Robinson pending the outcome of the inquiries.

A young fan flies an Essendon flag during a match at Etihad Stadium last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Possible sanctions

WADA
- World Anti-Doping Code penalties for using performance-enhancing drugs: First violation - two years ineligibility; Second violation: lifetime ineligibility.

However, the Athlete or other Person shall have the opportunity in each case, before a period of Ineligibility is imposed, to establish the basis for eliminating or reducing this sanction

AFL
- The AFL has broad powers under its rules to penalise clubs and players it deems have brought the game into disrepute - clubs could face hefty fines and exclusion from the national draft.

REPLAY our chat of the press conference coverage below

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Wary Blues to rest stars

Carlton star Chris Judd will sit out tomorrow's intra-club hit out at Visy Park. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FORMER skipper Chris Judd and key forward Jarrad Waite will not be risked in Carlton's intraclub practice match at Visy Park today.

Judd (hamstring) and Waite (calf) were among eight senior players ordered to rest for coach Mick Malthouse's first full-scale rehearsal with the Blues.

Marc Murphy, Kade Simpson, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson, Matthew Kreuzer and Heath Scotland will also sit out the shortened match.

Malthouse will oversee the game. Rob Wiley, director of coaching and development, and Luke Webster, coach of VFL affiliate Northern Blues, will take charge of the two teams.

Judd, who has stood down as captain, Waite, draftee Troy Menzel (hip) and defender Andrew McInnes (knee reconstruction) are the only players forced out by injuries.

It's a far healthier player list than last year when the depleted Blues lost all of their NAB Cup matches, to Port Adelaide, Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs, and a practice match to North Melbourne.

Football operations manager Andrew McKay said Judd, Waite and Menzel would have game time in NAB Cup matches.

"Troy is just adjusting to training loads," McKay said. "Obviously, it's a big change compared to what he's used to and we're just monitoring him. He has a little bit of hip aggravation and we don't want him to go too hard too early."

AFL field and boundary umpires will control the game, which will be the first to trial the deliberate out of bounds rule under which a player hands possession to the opposition if he is the last to kick, handball or run the ball over the line.

On player experiments, McKay said: "There will be a few thrown around in different positions. (Jeff) Garlett, (Chris) Yarran and (Bryce) Gibbs and those boys will have a go onball at different times."

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