Scandal ...again

[Guest]

I have made comments on here before about Manly and the Bulldogs.

Most of their players have the big barrel chest yet still seem quick and fit.

I don't know if they are cheating but like I said before I would like to know how Des does it.

[The Brain]

UPDATE: The Australian Crime Commission released the findings of a 12-month investigation into the integrity of Australian sport and the relationship between professional sporting bodies, prohibited substances and organised crime.

Crime Commission Report:

Download The PDF

It said the links may have resulted in match-fixing and fraudulent manipulation of betting markets.

The key findings of the investigation identified widespread use of prohibited substances including peptides, hormones and illicit drugs in professional sport.

It said that in some cases players were being administered with substances that have not yet been approved for human use.

The ACC also identified organised crime identities and groups that are involved in the distribution of PIEDS (Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs), to athletes and professional sports stars.

The ACC report noted increasing evidence of personal relationships of concern between professional athletes and organised criminal identities and groups.

"The ACC has found that professional sport in Australia is highly vulnerable to infiltration by organised crime. Multiple athletes from a number of clubs in major Australian sporting codes are suspected of currently using or having used peptides," Justice Minister Jason Clare said in a statement.

The report concluded that some coaches, sports scientists and support staff of elite athletes have orchestrated and/or condoned the use of prohibited substances.

Some sports scientists have indicated a willingness to administer substances to elite athletes which are untested or not yet approved for human use.

NRL STATEMENT: The National Rugby League has today joined all major sports, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), the Australian Crime Commission, and the Federal Government in supporting a far reaching investigation into doping and integrity issues in sport.

The National Rugby League has also appointed former Federal Court Judge, The Hon. Tony Whitlam QC to assist in the investigation process and to establish a permanent NRL Integrity Unit.

The NRL has today committed to:

- The establishment of a fully resourced NRL Integrity Unit;

- Conduct an audit and establish a register of personnel supplying performance services to players and or NRL Clubs;

- Sanctioning any Club or player found to have concealed information in relation to a breach of the NRL Anti-Doping Policy;

- Requiring team doctors to review any instance where supplements, substances or other procedures may have been administered without the prior approval of the team doctor;

- Introducing centralised testing for illicit substances to complement existing club programs.

NRL CEO, Mr Dave Smith said Rugby League would be strong in meeting emerging threats in world sport:

"As sports we have to get this right and we will. We are committed to working with ASADA and the Government in dealing with these threats and in addition to that will strengthen our own investigative capability," he said.

"Regardless of the outcome of those investigations, there is an opportunity here to take the initiative in terms of the integrity of in sport. Our fans and the absolute majority of our players deserve nothing less."

The information that the Australian Crime Commission has supplied to the NRL is governed by strict legal conditions which prohibits further comment.

EARLIER: The Australian Crime Commission will hold a press conference 10am at Parliament House in Canberra with Minister For Sport, Kate Lundy, and Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare.

Triple M Footy's Damian Barrett is tipping it will heavily involve both the AFL and NRL.

Cricket Australia CEO, James Sutherland, will appear at the Crime Commission presser as the "Chair of the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports" (representing all major sporting codes).

Barrett, who broke the story regarding the supplement scandal which has rocked the AFL world and in particular, Essendon, said he thinks a big name from the world of NRL may be embroiled when the latest developments emerge.

Barrett says the news out of the media conference will be huge.

"I think the code that is going to be most alarmed when all is said is the NRL," said Barrett on Triple M's Hot Breakfast.

Mark Geyer reckons this major announcement could blow the NRL apart.

"If this is all true this is gonna be bigger than the Storm salary cap breach," said MG on Triple M's Grill Team.

Matty Johns agreed saying after the Lance Armstrong episode people have had a gutfull of drugs in sport.

"The reason the NRL is being dragged into this is Stephen Dank's involvement with other NRL teams."

The media conference follows the revelation earlier this week the Australian Sports Anti Doping Agency (ASADA) and the AFL are investigating Essendon over what could be the use of illegal supplements in 2012 under a fitness program run by 'sports scientist', Stephen Dank.

[Cockadoodledoo]

Who the hell is Damian Barrett?

[The Brain]

Melbourne Journo

[Cockadoodledoo]

Melbourne Journo

no wonder he thinks the NRL have most to worry about... They think their shit doesn't smell down there.

[stsae]

no wonder he thinks the NRL have most to worry about... They think their shit doesn't smell down there.

They will be dying to link this to RL somehow, if only to take some of the heat away, and of course the TelluCrapp will comply.

Not saying we aren't involved, I'm sure our game is.

Notice all this comes out just after NewsFilth relinquishes control. Always seems to be the way, they get out at just the right moment. The investigation has been going on for more than a year now and more than a year ago we are all wondering why the IC hasn't started then bang it just happens like magic.

But I'm sure it's just my paranoia playing up again.

[Guest]

Rugby League Week @LeagueWeek
NRL CEO David Smith says there are a number of clubs and players involved in the investigation into doping and/or match fixing claims.

[Guest]

Barrett, who broke the story regarding the supplement scandal which has rocked the AFL world and in particular, Essendon, said he thinks a big name from the world of NRL may be embroiled when the latest developments emerge.

"The reason the NRL is being dragged into this is Stephen Dank's involvement with other NRL teams."

OK so putting the pieces together & in the end having a massive guess, which should save me from threat of legal action, I reckon the big name from NRL would come from one of the teams that Danks had involvement with i.e. Manly, Sharks & I think I heard he did some stuff with Wests, so (did I mention this is pure guesswork & in no way is meant to cast any aspersions on any player's character) Watmough has always been mentioned as a roid rager, the Stewarts have always struck me as a bit sus, Gallen also could be a contender, but if you were to look elsewhere & ignore the Danks connection, in regards to the match fixing/organised crime connection the assertion is that the PIEDS are bought from the org crime member, which then places the player or players in a vulnerable position with the crim then able to ask for favours, Ryan Tandy style favours that is! Which makes me very nervous about our association with a certain Ibrahim clan, remember that game a couple of years ago when we tanked in the second half rumours were abounding about us throwing the game, it's not a good look people, our team's hands may not be squeaky clean in these matters. What with the incidents with TCarney & Friend being caught with non prescribed something(valium was it?), whatever they had it was illegal & goes to show that there may have been a culture, why was that sprint trainer Roger Fabri sacked again, just saying. Look I know nothing & I'm just surmising, but it sure as hell will be interesting to see how all of this unfolds, I just really, really hope that Easts have had no involvement in any of it.

[Thirteen]

I just want to see Souths go down!

[DirtyHarry]

I just hope this don't drag it on forever.

[bondi paul]

I just want to see Souths go down!

And to never return

[elo]

I have made comments on here before about Manly and the Bulldogs.

Most of their players have the big barrel chest yet still seem quick and fit.

I don't know if they are cheating but like I said before I would like to know how Des does it.

Could have sworn Manly had a bit of a crisis with soft tissue injuries a couple of seasons ago as well, has human growth hormone written all over it.

[Muffdaddy]

I am surprised that our coach hasn't been linked, through his brother, to all of this.
Also suprised that there isn't a link between Robbo working here in 2010 and our form turn-around and GF appearance....

[Guest]

Could have sworn Manly had a bit of a crisis with soft tissue injuries a couple of seasons ago as well, has human growth hormone written all over it.

Yes they did.

As I said before I don't know if they are cheating but I would like to know how Des does it.

There are times when I watch his teams and they are physically so much better than other teams.

Seriously that 2008 GF I have never seen a team "peak" for a big game like that. Especially against a team like Melbourne it was men v boys.

[elo]

Manly are officially under investigation, ARLC have just appointing Deloittes to audit their Sports Science unit.