THE Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is in possession of hundreds of text messages between controversial sports scientist Steve Dank and individual NRL players, including NSW Origin captain Paul Gallen and Canberra Raider Sandor Earl. ASADA has gained lawful receipt of the texts in the past week from crime enforcement agencies.
The Sunday Telegraph understands a number of messages show continued contact between NSW captain Gallen and Dank after he left Cronulla in 2011.
A Fairfax newspaper report on May 19 quoted Dank saying he enjoyed a "strong friendship" with NSW Origin and Sharks skipper Paul Gallen and that the pair "remained mates despite everything that has happened".
The revelation comes as ASADA edges closer to gaining unprecedented new powers that compel all persons of interest to fully co-operate with their inquiry - or face massive fines.
PANTHERS CONDUCT PEPTIDE PROBE
Currently before the Senate, the proposed law orders interviewees to hand over any items that might assist ASADA's investigators, including bank records, phone records and computer hard drives. Persons of interest would also be made to attend an interview, although their right against self-incrimination is preserved.
However, for each day they resist co-operation a $5000 fine will be imposed.
ASADA hopes the new law will enable it to interview Dank whose links to NRL clubs and individual players has been under close watch.
Dank has denied that he ever treated players with banned substances.
In total,
The Sunday Telegraph understands there were thousands of text messages lawfully intercepted from Dank's phone, some of which contain specific requests from some NRL players.
The Fairfax report about the friendship between Dank and Gallen quoted Dank assuring Cronulla they have nothing to fear about involvement at the club during the first half of 2011, the period it is alleged some players were given banned peptides via injections and later tablets and creams.
Dank's brief tenure at Penrith later that season is also under renewed scrutiny in the wake of revelations that former Panthers winger Sandor Earl is part of the ASADA probe.
Earl, now at Canberra, issued a statement on Friday denying any wrongdoing and indicating he was considering his legal options.