What pisses me of is that he gave essendon better stuff than gave us.

No matter what you do skills32 you cannot turn a sows ear into a silk purse

You (MFC) just don't get it. Treat supporters and everyone else like absolute idiots.

You the board just make me sick to the guts

If contact with dank stopped the moment the investigation started, and we didn't use anything illegal, the only thing we are guilty of doing is saying that the players had no direct contact with dank, which may well be true.

Either way, if they had have come out with this in the first place good chance it would be over and done with.

If contact with dank stopped the moment the investigation started, and we didn't use anything illegal, the only thing we are guilty of doing is saying that the players had no direct contact with dank, which may well be true.

Either way, if they had have come out with this in the first place good chance it would be over and done with.

The issue here is transperancy - the AFL approached all clubs and asked if anyone has been in contact with him. Clearly we have, and we said no.

Also with substances its not whats illegal or illegal its:

- Approved

- Not approved

- Yet to be approved

If its not approved or yet to be approved then dont touch it...

Putting aside the obvious poor decision not to follow Essendon and be up front about Dank's involvement at the club, our supplements regime appears to be above board and less pervasive than Essendon's. I can understand the AFL being [censored] off but this isn't perjury on our behalf as we were never under investigation. The media perception is very bad, but I can't see us being unduly punished given the AFL will have to still have deal with Essendon first...

No matter what you do skills32 you cannot turn a sows ear into a silk purse

They tried to do that in 96 with a merger and even then one of the Clúb's Directors was accused of signing up his employees so he could influence the "yes" vote. I guess we've been on the edge of shady practice for quite a while now.

Putting aside the obvious poor decision not to follow Essendon and be up front about Dank's involvement at the club, our supplements regime appears to be above board and less pervasive than Essendon's. I can understand the AFL being [censored] off but this isn't perjury on our behalf as we were never under investigation. The media perception is very bad, but I can't see us being unduly punished given the AFL will have to still have deal with Essendon first...

Nice. Genius avatar by the way.

New development: The AFL has called in Bates, and any other relevant officials, to HQ this morning for a "please explain". Deleteriou said that it appears there have been "inconsistencies" between current reports and what the AFL was previously told.

Source:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-19/afl-to-question-melbourne-football-club-doctor/4638838?section=sport

Demetriou:

"As of this morning we will be calling in the doctor, the Melbourne Football Club doctor, together with any other relevant officials based on things that we have been told previously... and there appears to be, if the report is correct, some inconsistencies."

"They'd maintained a position, which they maintained publicly, even through the media, that they never employed Stephen Dank"

"This issue of ethics and trust in our code which are values that are held very dearly, particularly by our supporters, is something that you can't play pingpong with”

"And if anybody hasn't got the message that they must be absolutely truthful and they must be absolutely honest and upfront with the AFL, then there will be consequences"

"If there was an association, regardless of whether there was an employement agreement, then I think that would've been relevant in our briefings"

Doesn't bode well.

Watching ABC News Breakfast -

Reporter 1: "We would just like to stress that none of them have broken an Australian or World anti-doping guidelines, but these discussions do appear to contradict some of the things Melbourne's has said publicly and that the club previously denied that the players have had no direct contact with Dank".

Demetriou: "they mave maintained a position publicly and through the media that they have never employed Stephen Dank"

Reporter 2: "Employing him and seeking advice from him are clearly different..."

Demetriou: "That will remain to be seen because if there is an association then that is inconsistant with what we have been told"

My AFL Player Rule 1.6 spidy senses are tingling...

Given our statement this morning we have not done an Essendon.

In fact I'd be certain we have done everything by the book.

Nothing to see here

Ok so that club statement makes me feel a little better but why in the hell did we lie to the AFL. Seriously this is a professional sporting club not kids lying to there parents. The truth was always going to come out.

This should have been put to bed months ago.

Ok so that club statement makes me feel a little better but why in the hell did we lie to the AFL. Seriously this is a professional sporting club not kids lying to there parents. The truth was always going to come out.

This should have been put to bed months ago.

Listening to Vlad on 3AW at the moment, that's his big thing, and if he finds out that we have, we're screwed.

Can someone answer this? Why did the ABC name our players in the texts and hide the names of Essendon players in texts?

Bombers are being investigated by ACC and we are not is my only guess.

Bombers are being investigated by ACC and we are not is my only guess.

Yet

Given our statement this morning we have not done an Essendon.

In fact I'd be certain we have done everything by the book.

Nothing to see here

That's not the issue...

Watching ABC News Breakfast -

Reporter 1: "We would just like to stress that none of them have broken an Australian or World anti-doping guidelines, but these discussions do appear to contradict some of the things Melbourne's has said publicly and that the club previously denied that the players have had no direct contact with Dank".

Demetriou: "they mave maintained a position publicly and through the media that they have never employed Stephen Dank"

Reporter 2: "Employing him and seeking advice from him are clearly different..."

Demetriou: "That will remain to be seen because if there is an association then that is inconsistant with what we have been told"

According to reports no player has taken anything illegal.

The only issue is we didnt tell the whole truth.

Technically we didnt lie, Dank has not been employed by the MFC allot like AD technically didnt call for James Hird to stand down. Sound very similar to me but only different cause it aint AD saying it.

We will be fine, more exposure for our sponsors.

According to reports no player has taken anything illegal.

The only issue is we didnt tell the whole truth.

Technically we didnt lie, Dank has not been employed by the MFC allot like AD technically didnt call for James Hird to stand down. Sound very similar to me but only different cause it aint AD saying it.

We will be fine, more exposure for our sponsors.

Haha guess thats one way to find a silver lining lol

You're right in the sense that no player has taken anything illegal (not approved) but from what I can understand is that crap like A... whatever is "yet to be approved"... the club doctor shouldnt have touched it with a 10 ft pole

AD seems hung up on that we didnt disclose our enitre conduct with Dank... I think he has been used to clubs coming to the AFL whenever they think they have done something wrong (Adelaide/Essendon)

Haha guess thats one way to find a silver lining lol

You're right in the sense that no player has taken anything illegal (not approved) but from what I can understand is that crap like A... whatever is "yet to be approved"... the club doctor shouldnt have touched it with a 10 ft pole

AD seems hung up on that we didnt disclose our enitre conduct with Dank... I think he has been used to clubs coming to the AFL whenever they think they have done something wrong (Adelaide/Essendon)

Has everyone forgotten how Adelaide and Essendon fell on their swords to the AFL. Adelaide - well a deal was done -" look boys it would look much better for you if it seems that you have fessed up and then we can give you a far lenient fine". Essendon - "look boys you have been warned about the head honchos in Canberra so you had better make an appearance at HQ before the Media Scrum in Sydney. Fall on your sword etc etc lets save hirdy"

Our problem now is we had an opportunity in Feb to make the statement that we made last night. We didnt and we dont know for what reason. Can't we wait to find that out before there is mass hysteria. Greg Denham couldnt hide his absolute joy this morning when a Melbourne supporter rang in and agreed with him. Why do I still listen to him and KB - both are on the same level.

Not sure if anyones said this before but this statement was already prepared. The MFC knew this would happen and have been preparing for it. Yes Essendon's investigation may have scared the MFC into lying about links to Dank but if they found they were innocent they should have gone to the AFL and told them - they would have been happy to keep it out of the press. Maybe that's what happened - maybe the AFL already knows but did not want the AFL's reputation to be further damaged?

In any case if the MFC is innocent then I hope they give the AFL every shred of evidence now and make this the quickest investigation possible. Who knows this could be the massive dark cloud that is being lifted off our playing group (if you are really optimistic).

My view on it is that neither our doctor or Mission would take the risk of using illegal drugs on players unless under orders from Neeld (maybe Craig). I know Neeld is a man of integrity and would not allow illegal drugs. As for the doctor/mission why would they bother taking the risk and jeopardizing their careers/reputation ?

Melbourne Football Club statement

By melbournefc.com.au11:52pm AEST Thursday, April 18, 2013

In response to the 7.30 Report on ABC television the Melbourne Football Club makes the following statement:

• Immediately following the announcement of the investigation into Essendon Football Club, the Melbourne Football Club launched an internal review into its own supplements program

• The review found no evidence that the supplements program at the Club contravened any ASADA or WADA guidelines and no evidence that any player at the Melbourne Football Club had been administered a banned substance at any time

• As previously stated, Stephen Dank did apply for a position at the Melbourne Football Club in 2012 but was not successful. He was known to the Club via this process and to the Club Doctor, Dr Dan Bates

• The 7.30 Report referred to injections. These injections were prescribed by Dr Bates and comprised vitamin B, C and Glutathione (an anti oxidant) injections to some players. These injections were administered by a registered nurse at a medical clinic recommended by Dank. The Club has received confirmation from the medical clinic that the injections administered were as prescribed

• The program also made reference to a cream which is not prohibited under ASADA and WADA guidelines

• The 7.30 Report program made reference to Thymomodulin, Cerebrolysin, Naltrexone, Tribulus and Oxytocin. None of these substances were prescribed by Dr Bates for players at the Melbourne Football Club

• As soon as the investigation was launched into the Essendon Football Club, the Melbourne Football Club instructed all staff including Dr Bates to sever all ties with Stephen Dank which occurred

• The Club’s protocol and governance in relation to all treatment of players is that only the Club Doctor can prescribe and approve treatment to players. This system meant that at no time was Dank able to directly treat players

• Dank and Dr Bates communicated via email, phone and text, regarding supplements (prior to the investigation). Our processes require Dr Bates to consider the appropriateness of any treatment and make a determination as to its suitability at all times, to ensure that the welfare of our players is always maintained

• Every supplement included in the Club’s supplement regime is approved by the Club Doctor and is in accordance with all ASADA and WADA guidelines

• The Club will continue to co-operate with the AFL and its ongoing investigation

Has everyone forgotten how Adelaide and Essendon fell on their swords to the AFL. Adelaide - well a deal was done -" look boys it would look much better for you if it seems that you have fessed up and then we can give you a far lenient fine". Essendon - "look boys you have been warned about the head honchos in Canberra so you had better make an appearance at HQ before the Media Scrum in Sydney. Fall on your sword etc etc lets save hirdy"

Our problem now is we had an opportunity in Feb to make the statement that we made last night. We didnt and we dont know for what reason. Can't we wait to find that out before there is mass hysteria. Greg Denham couldnt hide his absolute joy this morning when a Melbourne supporter rang in and agreed with him. Why do I still listen to him and KB - both are on the same level.

Greg has been very negative about the how the club has been managed and he really p...me off at times but he is right, the club is a basket case. It is an absolute shambles.

Not sure if anyones said this before but this statement was already prepared. The MFC knew this would happen and have been preparing for it.

What makes you say that? The statement was put out about 4 hours after the report on ABC...

The board and the coach must be sacked and a whole new administration must move in. We need an extraordinary meeting of members and a leader with integrity to lead the spill of the fwits that have ruined this great club.

I have reread the club statement for the third time.

If accurate, Dank was never employed by the club. Dank may have discussed supplements with the club Doctor. Dank never personally gave anything to a player. The Doctor supervised the program and after checking, approved all supplements given. There is no allegation of any banned substance being given to an MFC player. The Clinic has confirmed any supplements given were as ordered by the Doctor and given by a registered Nurse. Any connection/discussion with Dank was severed when his position was challenged in the Essendon announcement. There are no no hidden contracts with players. There are no stomach injections alleged. There is no suggestion of any Coaches being injected with banned substances. Everything went through the club Doctor as is now prescribed by the AFL.

The conclusion by many on here is that the club has lied to the AFL when it said that Dank was never employed by the club, or administered substances to players, or prescribed substances to players.

At worst a Doctor has discussed substances with Dank, that he later checked and found were not illegal or banned and in some instances prescribed their use under his supervision.

This is nothing like the Bombers situation,where they can't even say what drugs were injected into player's stomachs 12 months later, let alone secret contracts and Dank heading the program and bypassing the club Doctor..

Where is the LIE in what has been revealed?