http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/dr-david-givneys-statement/story-fni2flhh-1226645993731
Doctor David Givneys statement dated 13/2/2013:
"This is a brief recollection, as best I can remember, of the events that took place early in NRL season 2011 regarding the use of supplements and our association with Steve Dank.
"I first should note that for some years my disinterest in various supplements and alternate therapies had become a sore point between myself and Trent Elkin.
"He felt that we needed to embrace the new technologies more to be sure we weren't at any disadvantage compared to other clubs.
"During the early rounds I noticed a new face in the dressing room background. It was mentioned that he was assisting Trent with the new GPS system that the club was introducing.
"Over the next few rounds it was clear that this man, who I was told was a `sports scientist' was also assisting in the preparation of the pre and post game hydration preparations and supplements.
"I was never actually introduced to the man but was told it was Steve Dank. I was told he was just assisting and was not a paid employee of the Sharks.
"About this time Tony Bagnall informed me that Dank was preparing his `own' supplements for the players, so he was asked, through Trent, to provide an exact list of ingredients. This arrived via physio Konrad Schultz a week or two later and showed no substances on the ASADA banned list.
"When we played Manly at home I was approached after the game by the Manly medico Dr Paul Bloomfield who told he had previous dealings with Dank. His advice was to `get rid of him' as soon as possible.
"I attempted to do a bit of investigating of my own and found that Dank had worked at a number of clubs and had seemed to have been asked to leave many of them. I had a number of conversations with Craig Catterick (Parramatta trainer) and Dr Martin Raftery (ex St George) who both expressed their concerns. I told Shane Flanagan of these early concerns and he said he would follow up himself with friends at those clubs.
"Not long after Isaac Gordon presented with significant bruising after no trauma. (I took photos and still have these in my possession).
"I was most concerned and said we needed to do some blood tests. ``Not more needles!'' he said. (!!!) When I inquired as to which needles he was talking about he said that a number of players had been injected with `supplements' by a colleague of Dank's.
"This information was conveyed to Darren Mooney and Shane who informed Trent that no more injections were to be done and a meeting was organised to discuss the situation.
"The meeting was held at the Leagues Club and attended by myself, Darren, Konrad, Trent and Steve Dank. This was the first occasion that I was actually introduced to him. The meeting was not overly helpful _ I requested that all injections and `homemade' supplements be stopped but Trent became quite aggressive, stating that he "needed a doctor who was on the cutting edge, not just someone who turned up on game day.
"At the end of the meeting I tendered my resignation to Darren because I wasn't prepared to have someone who was totally unaccountable provide substances to our players without my knowledge. I was later contacted by Shane who said it was agreed the supplements would cease.
"Over the following week it was reported to me by Konrad that the players were given more of Dank's needles and supplements and when I quizzed some players, they said they were told `not to tell Doc'. It was at this time that Isaac Gordon showed me a photo of a supplement he'd been given which clearly stated `FOR EQUINE USE ONLY'. Obviously I hit the roof and informed Shane, who agreed that this was the last straw, and Dank's services ceased the next morning.
"Since that time I have been told by Trent that he thought Dank was keeping me informed at all stages. In fact I had no contact with him at all.
"It was my thought that this was the end of the drama, but have since discovered that some players, notably (NAME REDACTED) and (NAME REDACTED) continued to privately have contact with Steve Dank and had subsequently used his various supplements on occasions.
It is worth noting that at no stage has any player produced a positive result to any banned substance from the multitude of ASADA tests that we've done."
