Assistant to sports scientist Stephen Dank named "The Gazelle" key figure in ASADA NRL doping investigation
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/assistant-to-sports-scientist-stephen-dank-named-the-gazelle-key-figure-in-asada-nrl-doping-investigation/story-e6frexnr-1226595923966
A MYSTERY assistant of sports scientist Stephen Dank has emerged as the key figure in ASADA's probe into Cronulla and Manly.
News Limited can reveal that Dank didn't work alone during his six-year tenure at Brookvale. He engaged the help of an alleged supplement expert known among players and coaching staff as "The Gazelle".
Dank has denied ever using performance-enhancing substances in the NRL.
It's also emerged that former Sharks head trainer Trent Elkin, now at Parramatta, has hired ex-ARL chairman and solicitor Colin Love to guide him through the ASADA interviews and potential fallout.
While Cronulla has absorbed the brunt of public scrutiny, Manly officials have also been in recent talks with ASADA investigators.
Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey yesterday reaffirmed his confidence the club would be cleared of any wrongdoing.
But individual players are another question altogether.
A significant portion of ASADA's inquiry has focused on players who maintained private contact with Dank or any of his colleagues. It's believed the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) has used phone taps to identify them.
And they will face punishment for simply purchasing or being in possession of banned substances, should ASADA be able to prove so through credit card or internet records.
Sharks insiders have also been told that Dank used an assistant during his brief stint at the club in 2011.
According to a former Manly player, who yesterday spoke on the condition of anonymity, "The Gazelle" had links to a large national supplement retailer.
It's believed former head coach Des Hasler warned him away from the club before Dank's departure at the end of 2010. But concerns are rife that "The Gazelle" stayed in contact with certain players and Manly could face difficulties should it be established they used, purchased or possessed banned supplements with his assistance.
All six clubs named in the ACC report have also received further information from the NRL's integrity unit.
Illegal peptides CJC-1295, GHRP-6 and beta thymosin have been mentioned in the documentation.
Toovey declined to comment when asked about "The Gazelle's" association with Manly, and Sea Eagles officials did not return calls last night.
But speaking earlier, Toovey expressed his conviction there were no systemic issues at Manly.
"We were one of the clubs named, so we're expecting (it, and) hopefully it will be sooner rather than later," Toovey said. "We've got no problems with our procedures at the club. We're quite confident with things that happened within the club at that time."
Love was spotted at Parramatta yesterday, where the Eels continue to stand behind Elkin. All indications suggest he will work the sidelines in tomorrow night's clash against Canterbury.
