Brisbane's Martin Kennedy set to be next NRL player to recieve ASADA infraction notice
Josh Massoud, James Hooper, Rebecca Wilson
The Daily Telegraph
December 12, 2013 12:00AM
MARTIN Kennedy is poised to become the next NRL player to receive an infraction notice as ASADA considers evidence against the Broncos prop that is more advanced than its case file against 14 past and present Sharks players.
After the ARLC board yesterday received a detailed briefing of the NRL's internal report into Cronulla's 2011 supplement program, The Daily Telegraph learned that ASADA is preparing to swoop on Kennedy for alleged possession of banned substances.
When contacted earlier this week, Kennedy promised to vigorously defend any possible charges, maintaining that he had never possessed or attempted to procure banned substances.
Text messages between Kennedy and other figures central to the inquiry - including banned winger Sandor Earl - are believed to be key to ASADA's case against the former Rooster and Queensland State of Origin 18th man.
The messages include correspondence with long-time friend Ben Darcy, who is also close to Earl and formerly lived in the same Bondi apartment block as Kennedy.
The trio attended top league nursery Matraville High together, and were briefly united in the Roosters junior ranks.
ASADA interviewed Kennedy a week after the grand final, shortly before he moved to Brisbane to begin a new two-year deal with the Broncos.
Sources close to the investigation have confirmed Kennedy was questioned about a series of text exchanges with Darcy.
The 24-year-old expressed deep shock when The Daily Telegraph informed him about ASADA's latest movements, stating that he believed the interview had gone smoothly and the matter was now closed.
A source familiar with the file said the text messages contributed to a compelling case for possession-related charges, which carry a potential maximum two-year ban.
It's understood the texts were taken from mobile phones seized at Sydney Airport, while their owners were returning from Thailand earlier this year.
It's believed that any possible charges against Kennedy will not include use or trafficking, which were both levelled against Earl in late August.
The ex-Raiders winger has admitted guilt to both charges, which carry a maximum four year ban. Earl is attempting to have his suspension reduced to 12 months by providing ASADA with substantial assistance, but his co-operation is aimed at supplying damning evidence against the man who allegedly organised the prohibited treatments - sports scientist Stephen Dank - rather than fellow players. Dank has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Kennedy's fate is set to be announced before that of the 14 players who participated in Cronulla's controversial 2011 supplement program: Paul Gallen, John Morris, Ben Pomeroy, Wade Graham, Nathan Gardner, Nathan Stapleton, Stewart Mills, Jayson Bukuya, Anthony Tupou, Matt Wright, Jeremy Smith, Kade Snowden, Luke Douglas and Albert Kelly.
The NRL sanctions against Cronulla purely relate to code of conduct breaches, with no infraction notices to be handed to any former or current Sharks player this week.
NRL boss Dave Smith yesterday briefed the eight commissioners on his Intergrity Unit report, which has canvassed supplement programs at all 16 clubs. The Sharks board was sweating on an announcement last night, but the NRL said its investigation was continuing.
The latest information suggests a decision will be made on whether to issue infraction notices against Cronulla players early in the New Year.
ASADA has made enormous headway in recent weeks because of new coercive powers that compel persons of interest to attend interviews and submit documents.
As revealed by The Daily Telegraph on Saturday, an information sheet discussing two banned peptides - CJC-1295 and GHRP-6 - that ASADA believes was distributed to players has been obtained.
The sheet carries the nickname and contact details of the supplement salesman, Darren 'The Gazelle' Hibbert, whom an independent club report found injected Sharks players at training sessions in 2011. Hibbert received a notice to appear before ASADA almost a month ago and is expected to speak with investigators this week.
Danny Weidler ‏@Danny_Weidlerhttps://twitter.com/Danny_Weidler/status/410669205311082497
