Equine-use-only tag a simple mistake
Date
April 4, 2013
Adrian Proszenko
Chief Rugby League Reporter
A substance marked ''for equine use only'' allegedly provided to Cronulla players by sports scientist Stephen Dank is the same product regularly used by bodybuilders and other athletes.
Sharks officials have taken a photograph of a product that they will consider using as part of their legal defence after Dank initiated defamation action against the club and former chairman Damian Irvine.
In a newspaper interview, Irvine said Dank injected players with ''equine substances''. The fallout ultimately cost Irvine the job, although he will stand at this month's board elections.
It is understood the substance in question is gamma oryzanol, a rice-bran extract. A legal supplement, it is often provided to livestock and athletes involved in strength training. It's understood Dank received half a dozen bottles - which retail today for about $100 - from a supplier called Away Australia. When the shipment arrived, five of the six bottles were labelled for human use, although because of a dispatch error, one of the bottles arrived marked ''for equine use only''. All six bottles contained the same substance, or same formulation, and only the labels difffered.
As a food supplement, it does not require Therapeutic Goods Administration scheduling or listing with the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.
Fairfax Media understands to placate then trainer Trent Elkin, Dank offered to return the bottle labelled ''for equine use only'', even though he assured him it was the same product.
Elkin declined the offer, saying he was happy with the explanation.
It is understood up to half a dozen Cronulla players used the supplement. It was also part of the range of products used by Manly players during Des Hasler's time at that club. On the website of the American supplier, Equiade, it is described as ''Body Builder™ Horse and Dog Supplement'' (pictured) and the benefits are listed as: ''Body Builder is a natural dietary supplement for horses, dogs, humans and livestock animals. Body Builder is one of the most effective dietary supplements used by owners, breeders and trainers of horses and dogs.
''The main ingredient in this product is of pharmaceutical grade, meaning it is in the purist form. Racehorses and dogs that are on our supplement have healthy coats and are beautifully muscled. Many have tried to duplicate this product with inferior results. This is due to our secret formula, superior ingredients and special process in manufacturing Body Builder. See for yourself and you won't be disappointed in the results. Body Builder comes in 8 oz and 32 oz sizes.''
Dank named other defendants, including the Nine Network and News Ltd, as part of the lawsuit. The matter is listed for mention in the NSW Supreme Court on April 26. While defamation proceedings are capped at $339,000, Dank is also seeking unspecified damages and costs.
A successful legal challenge would cripple cash-strapped Cronulla. The Sharks are the only NRL club without a main backer, while other key sponsorship properties, including naming- rights for their home ground, remain unsold. There is also the prospect of the players taking legal action against the club pending the outcome of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's investigations into doping and the integrity of sport.
