'Disgraceful': RLPA head shocked by Gordon claims
Date
July 31, 2013
Brad Walter, Michael Chammas
Rugby League Players Association boss David Garnsey has described suggestions former Cronulla winger Isaac Gordon was treated as a ''guinea pig'' and has suffered side effects from substances he was given by the club as ''appalling'' and ''disgraceful''.
Garnsey, who said he was pleased Gordon had obtained legal advice about his treatment, also expressed concern that other players may have similar stories to the one outlined by the 23-year-old and his lawyer in Tuesday's Herald.
Gordon is considering suing the Sharks after suffering a mysterious blood-thinning disorder that left him with severe bruising from his ankle to the groin of one leg that was tested for cancer, and prompted club doctor David Givney to warn him his blood was ''so thin that if I had copped a knock to the head I could've died''.
''I can only say that I am appalled by that and if it is something that has been brought about by the administration of substances by someone other than a club doctor, then that is something that is a huge concern - and if it is causing him long-term health issues then, again, that is just disgraceful,'' Garnsey said.
''None of it has been brought to the attention of the RLPA before so it is news to me, but I am pleased that he is seeking appropriate legal advice and I will certainly be in touch with his lawyer very soon to ascertain what I can.
''It is a very disturbing story that has been described and I would like to know more about it because if it happened to Isaac it could have happened to someone else.''
Garnsey also noted that the Australian Crime Commission report handed down in February mentioned players being used as ''guinea pigs''.
''That is what was written in the ACC report and I at that stage did not know that was something that happened in rugby league as the sport wasn't identified, but if there is a suggestion a player has been treated as a human guinea pig that is appalling and something we need to look into,'' he said.
The NRL also made contact with Gordon's lawyer after the revelation he planned to seek compensation for the ''physical and emotional'' suffering caused by substances he was given at the Sharks during the 11-week period in 2011 under investigation by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.
NSW general manager of Shine Lawyers James Chrara is representing Gordon and believes his client is within his rights to take action against the Sharks for alleged negligence in relation to their supplements program ran by controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank.
''We haven't spoken with Cronulla but we will be making contact with the club in the next few weeks,'' Chrara said.
Sharks chief operating officer Steve Noyce said it was premature to comment on Gordon's potential case without knowing all of the details.
''I think we've shown as a club we look at issues and address them with the appropriate and proper information,'' Noyce said.
''At this stage I don't have any information about it. I haven't heard anything besides what was in the newspaper.''
While the outcome of the ASADA investigation is likely to affect Gordon's case, Chrara is wary of allowing his own planning to drag on.
''Isaac technically has three years from the date of the time he consumed or was involved in the supplement program to bring a claim without the leave of the court,'' Chrara said.
''That will expire early next year. That's a factor. One of the areas you need leave is people were unaware of their legal rights or were unaware.''
It is understood Gordon was led to believe the old Cronulla board discouraged players from taking legal action against the club with any attempt to prove futile because the club would be forced to file for bankruptcy.
However, Sharks chairman Damian Keogh refused to comment on what the previous board advised in relation to legal action. ''I don't have a view on that and it's not for me to comment on,'' he said.
The Sharks have insurance in place in case they are involved in a legal battle, but Keogh was reluctant to delve into the details.
