http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/bombers-link-to-nrl-charges-20130829-2stq3.html
Canberra NRL star Sandor Earl - who in May last year had a code-switching try-out for Essendon arranged by controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank - is set to provide ''substantial assistance'' to ASADA after being charged with using and trafficking banned peptides.
Earl was suspended on Thursday for use and trafficking of performance-enhancing drug CJC-1295 and is facing the prospect of a four year-ban for doping offences during his time at Penrith in 2011.
Fairfax Media reported exclusively in late March that Earl was on the cusp of switching to the AFL after participating in a secret try-out for Essendon arranged by Dank. That report revealed Earl was put through a series of kicking, marking and handballing drills in May last year when the Bombers travelled to Sydney for their round-nine clash with Greater Western Sydney. However, it was thought Bomber coach James Hird had gone cold on the idea and scuppered the move.
It was understood that Dank, then employed by Essendon, had drawn up a hit list of up to 20 NRL players he believed had the physique and aptitude to make the switch to Australian rules. Earl, whom Dank knew from the time he spent at Penrith towards the end of 2011, was one of those he had earmarked to make the switch. The former Sydney Rooster reportedly impressed a number of Bombers officials, including recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro, during the one-hour session at Royal Botanic Gardens, just across from the hotel where the team was staying.
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Earl has vehemently denied providing banned substances to other NRL players. ARLC chief executive Dave Smith said the 23-year-old admitted the charges and accepted his punishment.
Earl's lawyer, Tim Unsworth, said his client was treated with the drug by Dr Ijaz Khan, on the referral of Dank, to treat shoulder injuries at a private clinic in Cabramatta called Injury Care. Unsworth said the Penrith Panthers paid the medical bills.
''Dank referred him there,'' Unsworth said. ''Sandor met Dank at the Penrith club because at the time he appeared to be a consultant to the club. He met him in the Penrith gym.''
Unsworth said his client had provided ''reasonable assistance'' to his interrogators, which could see him back on the field in 12 months. He confirmed Earl had provided information on Dank and Khan during his interviews with ASADA, the latest of which was on August 27. ''He has not been in communication with Dank for a long time,'' Unsworth said.
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