http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...jecting-peptides/story-fni3fbgz-1226707886285
Selected Cronulla Sharks players accused of self-injecting peptides
Selected Cronulla Sharks players accused of self-injecting peptides
JOSH MASSOUD, JAMES HOOPER, REBECCA WILSON THE DAILY TELEGRAPH AUGUST 31, 2013 12:00AM
SELECTED Sharks players are alleged to have been instructed how to self-inject peptides as part of the club’s 2011 supplements program, one witness has told ASADA.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal ASADA officers have asked Sharks players about the claim during this months interviews. All of them have strenuously denied the claim.
Its understood the supplements in question, which the independent report compiled by Dr Tricia Kavanagh found were banned peptides CJC-1295 and GHRP-6, were kept in an esky that was brought to training by a sales rep.
The development comes as NRL chief executive Dave Smith defended the decision to allow Cronulla to play in the finals this season, irrespective of the findings of the Kavanagh report being handed to the games governing body three months ago.
"ASADA have had the Kavanagh report for many, many months so its in the mix of information theyre using to conduct their investigation," Smith said.
"Quite clearly we have a copy. Its part and parcel of that development.
"ASADA havent been able to issue infraction notices on the back of the Kavanagh report.
"I'm not undermining it. I know its an important piece of information.
"Nonetheless its one bit of information theyve had for many months.
Former deputy chair of the Australian Sports Anti-Drug Agency (ASADA) Tricia Kavanagh speaks to the media at Shark Park on March 8, 2013 in Sydney, Australia.
"I'm not going to act on the basis of something thats not factual or could not be substantiated.
"It's something that of course we would look at as part and parcel of the whole investigation, but it's not complete yet.
"We've said it needs to complete."
In another key development into the clubs 11-week systematic regimen of banned supplements from two years ago, it can be revealed the architect of the program Stephen Dank, Darren Hibbert and some NRL contracted players allegedly administered the Cronulla injections.
All have denied any wrongdoing.
The Daily Telegraph also understands another party might have been involved in the regime, with at least one player stating that neither Dank nor Hibbert administered his treatments.
The players were shown photographs before their interviews, but the player stated that an unidentified man was responsible for treating him.
A total of 27 players were involved in the 2011 program, but only 10 remain with the club.
ASADA posed the claim of self-injection to a number of those players, all of whom are understood to have strenuously denied it.
According to the witness, the injections took place in two corporate boxes at Cronullas home ground, with Dank operating in one box and an offsider in a separate box.
The offsider is alleged to have shown ex-head conditioner Trent Elkin how to open packets of needles, administer injections and it is understood the pair took the surprise option of showing and allowing some players to inject themselves.
A key ASADA witness has also claimed Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan was present during at least one round of injections, but Flanagan has strenuously denied the allegation.
There is also divided opinion over whether Flanagan was the member of the Cronulla coaching staff who initially gathered the players together at Remondis Stadium to deliver the early-season debrief about the club's "new, top secret" supplements program.
The Daily Telegraph understands some players maintain Flanagan was responsible for outlining the program "strictly for the top 17 playing squad only", while others suggest it was Elkin who explained the clubs plan to utilise the services of Dank.
It has also been claimed Cronullas senior playing group was consulted and informed about the controversial supplements program on more than one occasion.
Dank allegedly also addressed the players about the upcoming program and assured them all the supplements were legal, gaining the majority of players support for the regimen of injections, tablets and creams.
The Daily Telegraph understands some players were individually consulted about the prospective program by Elkin, who also tested the substances on himself and had his blood tested.
After doing so, the current Parramatta Eels head conditioner told the Sharks playing group he had undergone blood tests and the results were "all fine".
The ASADA investigation into Cronulla is continuing.
