Dons grill team over drug use

AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis says the roles of club doctors and medical professionals are being diminished sports science.

Essendon coach James Hird asked his players if they took drugs. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: The Advertiser

ESSENDON has interrogated every player on its list about using performance enhancing drugs as it continues to examine every aspect of the drugs scandal.

Coach James Hird, who fronted a Bombers board meeting on Thursday night, and football department boss Danny Corcoran this week summoned each player to individual meetings.

A meeting was also held yesterday in Canberra where Bombers chairman David Evans and chief executive Ian Robson met senior ASADA officials to ascertain the process of the investigation.

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At Essendon, several crisis meetings involving all the playing staff have been held, one of which was headed by Evans.

The players were told at one meeting the club did not know if they had been given banned drugs.

At the Hird meetings, the players were asked: Is there anything you need to tell us? Is there anything the club needs to know?

Each player answered no.

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Although the answer was expected, Hird is understood to have found great comfort from the meetings, further strengthening his belief that his players did not knowingly take performance enhancing drugs.

Sacked sports scientist Stephen Danks has denied he gave the players prohibitive drugs when using injections and intravenous drips when loading players with supplements.

Some of those injections were done off-site, across the road from Windy Hill.

Thursday night's board meeting heard everything from Danks' signing to his departure, his unorthodox practices, the signing of consent forms and why and the expectation ahead of the ASADA investigation.

Directors were told strength and conditioning coach Dean Robinson, who joined the club in 2012, insisted that Danks join him as his sports science sidekick.

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich says their players have been injected with vitamin supplements, but all above board.

Robinson has been suspended pending the ASADA investigation, but he's not expected to to return to the club.

Evans said yesterday it had been an "extremely difficult'' week for the players and their families.

"There's going to be a lot speculaiton, about our players, about our club and possible sanctions but remember not one of our players has not tested positive for any banned substance or performancing drugs,'' he said.

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AFL clubs under scrutiny

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich says their players have been injected with vitamin supplements, but all above board.

Essendon high performance manager Dean Robinson worked at Geelong and Gold Coast, prompting the AFL to investigate those clubs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

A SPECIAL AFL forensic team will investigate the operations of the two clubs who previously employed suspended Essendon high performance manager Dean Robinson.

Geelong and Gold Coast have been told the league's investigators will be putting the microscope over every aspect of their high performance departments.

Robinson, who was stood down by Essendon on Tuesday, joined Geelong in 2007 as its strength and conditioning coach before moving to the Suns at the end of 2010.

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Brisbane is also on the league's hit list after admitting Stephen Dank, the performance scientist who was brought to Essendon by Robinson and is the man at the centre of the scandal, had been briefly employed as a consultant to the Lions.

The AFL is planning to audit all clubs over their use of drugs and supplements with every training practice reviewed.

Geelong has maintained it has nothing to hide about the way it conducted its sports science and fitness departments during its stunning premiership run.

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"Everyone in this organisation is accountable," chief executive Brian Cook said earlier. "That accountability is a high focus within our footy club.

"I'm confident we won't be implicated. The processes we use are pretty sound.

"The doctors are the only ones allowed to give injections, the doctors have to sign off any vitamin purchases made and we have a supplement register."

Geelong Football Club CEO Brian Cook with the 1st Brownlow Medal returned to the club. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: Geelong Advertiser

Despite the latest scandal, Cook said the club would continue to remain on the cutting edge of sports science.

For the past three years the Cats have had their own sports science advisory committee which is made up of elite sports scientists from across the country, including the Australian Institute of Sport.

Cook said while that committee was always looking for the next competitive advantage in the sports science area, it operated in a "very ethical framework'' that complied with Anti-Doping regulations.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire yesterday revealed the Pies had already conducted their own  audit of their sports science procedures including substances used by the club.

AFLPA CEO Matt Finnis says the roles of club doctors and medical professionals are being diminished sports science.

"We have already audited Collingwood two days ago and we are ready to come in with our ideas of what has to happen,'' McGuire said.

"After what happened in the last couple of days, we wanted to make sure everything is right and ship-shape at our club, to make sure we have the protocols in place.

"If there is anything to uncover I welcome it. One of the things that has been lost in translation is that we don't want to win a premiership by cheating. So we stand for sportsmanship. You have to stand up for that.''

Hawthorn has also conducted an audit which found players were only taking multivitamins and protein powder.

Brisbane coach Michael Voss said he was "not concerned at all'' about the club's links to Dank given the very "limited involvement'' the club had with him.

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Watters confident Saints are clean

St Kilda coach Scott Watters, left, and captain Nick Riewoldt. Picture: Dustin Bradford. Source: Getty Images

St Kilda coach Scott Watters yesterday admitted the shock and scale of the Australian Crime Commission's explosive report made it difficult to avoid distracting the players.

Watters said the club had addressed the players and staff on their responsibilities to the AFL and the game in general.

"I think initially players need to be informed and we've done that internally. We certainly want our players to be educated and have an understanding of their role and their place within everything that has been discussed," the Saints coach said after the first intraclub practice match at Seaford.

"At the same time, they're here to play footy. That's what they love doing and that's our core business. So, really it is business as usual for us. The footy's a fantastic distraction for a lot of things that happen.

"As a coach, we're very focused on what we do. So, it's about limiting the distractions to our players. Because of the enormity of the stories that are out there, that's a challenge because we're all affected by it.

"Having said that, players want to play, individuals want to get better, coaches want their sides to improve and we'll remain focused on the here and now and ultimately try and make every second count.

"It's a time when the game's being challenged and we need to sit back and have a real close look at it."

Watters said, like everyone, he was shocked by the Australian Crime Commission report that uncovered links between organised crime and performance-enhancing drugs being used by elite athletes.

And the Saints are another AFL club that immediately conducted an internal audit of all daily procedures.

"There has been an enormous amount of opinion and comment on what's gone on. Everyone in the industry, it has caused us to reflect. You wouldn't be human if that's not the case," he said.

"You do look at your internal processes. We're really comfortable and really reassured where we sit, the importance of our doctor being the ultimate filter on anything that happens here, medically. That's something that we've always had, but it certainly brings that into focus.

"It also causes you to look at your staff and we've got staff here that I have full confidence in the ethics they bring to the football club.

"Whilst you always have to be vigilant, we're really comfortable from a process and staff point of view. But it's a testing time for everyone and we're part of that.

"It (ACC report) was certainly some interesting reading. Obviously, we'll all sit back and wait to see where it all goes."

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Now is the time for all good men

ALL SET: Luke Shuey is looking to take his game to an even higher level in 2013. Picture: Will Russell Source: PerthNow

THAT was then. This is now.

Then, Luke Shuey was little more than a promising name on West Coast's list; he was drafted in 2008, didn't play at all the following season due to injury and split his six games in 2010 to bookend the wooden-spoon campaign.

Now, Shuey is one of the most crucial cogs in the Eagles' future; successor to Daniel Kerr as West Coast's midfield marshal and proving increasingly capable of tearing games apart.

And, having then been a fresh-faced teenager, hoping to one day be a leader at the club, he is now part of a "brotherhood"; a leadership group forged in the wreckage of 2010 and one that bonds his side together. It was a sense of family that helped the 22-year-old last December to sign for a further two years at the club, when he could have returned home to Victoria.

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It made him stay in WA after the death of his sister, Melanie, in 2009. And it inspired him and Scott Selwood to go to Geelong last April for the funeral of John Schofield - father of teammate Will - who died from a heart attack.

"That meant a hell of a lot to me," Schofield told The Sunday Times last year.

"I think it just says a lot about them as people and why I look to a lot of the people at West Coast and see them as my family."

That trip defined Shuey's emerging leadership qualities.

The pair travelled east on a Monday for the funeral, came back to Perth for training, before returning to Melbourne on the Friday to play Richmond on the Sunday.

Shuey denies the support he showed was leadership - "leadership didn't have anything to do with it" - but it was a selfless act that would have taken tremendous emotional strength, given the year marked what would have been Melanie's 21st.

"Schoey's one of mine and Scooter's (Selwood) best mates at the club," Shuey said.

"A few years ago, I had Glassy (captain Darren Glass), Coxy (Dean Cox) and Adam Selwood come over for my sister's funeral and I remember feeling so appreciative for the effort they put in.

"It was a pretty emotional day; you get there and you can relate to what they're going through and how hard it is for them.

"But when I was sitting there, I didn't want to feel too sorry for myself, because it was a day to remember John and everything he gave the Geelong community.

"It was a great service. Will and his two other brothers were in great spirits and had the crowd in stitches."

That was then. This is now.

Now, Shuey has officially been installed in the Eagles' leadership group, recognised for outstanding traits both off-field and on-field as one of two additions to the clique for 2013, alongside Eric Mackenzie.

It marks a recognition after years marred with personal trials, with Shuey having overcome osteitis pubis, two hernia operations, a broken leg and glandular fever, in addition to dealing with Melanie's passing, all in a little more than 12 months at the Eagles.

After all that, football was easy.

The tyro installed himself inside the Eagles' top-six ball winners in both 2011 and 2012, nipping on the heels of revered names at the club such as Priddis, Kerr and Rosa.

"Everything I went through in the first few years gave me a really good outlook on football," Shuey said. "It was a good wake-up call that footy's not the be-all and end-all for me.

"Now, looking back on the injuries and stuff, I'm just blessed to be able to run out every training session, every game, and not be injured.

"I look at guys going through rehab now and just feel sorry for them, but I've said it before, if you're going to go through a successful career, there are going to be times when you do it tough.

"I certainly feel ready to be recognised as a leader, but I don't think much is going to change (for me) around the club."

One aspect of Shuey's game that he knows he must change is his discipline.
He missed three games last year due to suspension for what he labelled "brain explosions"; striking charges on Fremantle's Paul Duffield in Round 9 and North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas in Round 15.

Then, he was just another foot soldier, but Shuey understands his role now as a leader requires him to rein in that behaviour.

"My two suspensions last year were, I'd like to think, out of the ordinary for me," he said. "I'm not a dirty player, they were just two things that came up and were a bit of a brain explosion.

"But I'm certainly confident it won't happen again and where I want to be as a leader, it's something I'll have to get out of my game."

Shuey described the feeling of preparing for his fifth season as "scary", but what is scary is his potential.

So, too, that of the brigade that surrounds him.

He said it was time for the rising stars of now to repay the superstars of then.

"It's scary thinking I'm going into my fifth season now, I've really only played two full seasons of football," he said. "We went through the hard roads to get to where we are and had to cop the wooden spoon on the chin.

"Now we're starting to be pretty successful and that, along with the brotherhood feel around the club, was a major reason why I signed on (for two more years).

"I think we're in for a really successful era over the next few years, but I couldn't tell you when, exactly.

"We're going to see guys like Glassy, Coxy, Embers, Kerr-y, depart within the next four or five years, guys who have been absolute superstars for the footy club and we're so blessed to be taught by these guys, who are masters of their trade.

"Hopefully we can win another premiership for those guys, I'm sure they want it as much as we do."

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Warnock desperate to make impact

Robbie Warnock in action. He faces stiff competition for a spot in the side this season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

WHEN he gets his hand on the ball, Robbie Warnock makes things happen. The problem is he doesn't make them happen enough.

Warnock, 26, has only played more than 12 games in a season once (20 in 2011) since first playing with Fremantle in 2007.

A career that has promised so much is in danger of delivering little and the 206cm left-footer knows it. And it won't be easy as he enters 2013 in a desperate race for a rucking spot given Matthew Kreuzer and Shaun Hampson are at the club.

Kreuzer, fit and well, will presumably take the number one role leaving Warnock head to head with Hampson, given coach Mick Malthouse is prepared to play two ruckmen if their form and hardness at the contest warrants it.

At 206cm the former Brighton Grammarian is one of the tallest in the game (Aaron Sandilands is number one at 2011cm) but height alone won't put him in front of Kreuzer or Hampson.

"We've all had our time in the sun as number one ruckman at different stages. We haven't all been fit at the same time so it will be interesting to see what they do. If we are all up and playing well then it's out of our hands," said Warnock from Carlton's community camp in Bendigo.

Last year he played just five matches, averaging 32 hit-outs to place him fifth in the competition. But the key to Warnock was his number one ranking on the hit-outs to advantage table.

It's why his midfielders like roving to him, plus Warnock isn't out of the contest once the aerial work has ended judging by his four clearances per game (2nd best of the top 10 hit-out winners).

He also won 74 per cent of his possessions in a contest, second only to the predictable figure of Nic Natainui. But none of the above will guarantee a game under a new coach named Michael Malthouse.

Warnock, who is a clear thinker, wasn't totally sure what to expect when Malthouse arrived although he knew he was a winner.

"I find him a great communicator. He actually keeps things pretty basic and as much as that might sound not smart, I think it is (smart) to a degree. He just doesn't over-complicate it," said Warnock.

"And his record speaks for itself. He took the Bulldogs a long way in the 1980s (3rd in 1985), the Eagles to finals every year (10 seasons) including two premierships from three Grand Finals and then Collingwood from 15th to 9th to a Grand Final.

"He has the runs on the board and is very clear on what he wants.When you speak to him it is obvious he knows what has to be done."

What Malthouse desires at Carlton is for at least two of Warnock, Kreuzer and Hampson to play in the same team, with Levi Casboult a chance to play as a forward who can go into the ruck. Sam Rowe and Luke Mitchell will have the chance to secure a key forward spot which would allow Jarrad Waite to use to his aerobic ability rather than being constantly bashed in pack marking situations.

Warnock knows he is third in the pecking order when it comes to being effective up forward, although he figures if he's rucking well enough it won't matter as much.

"Ruck is my preferred position. You do have to go forward these days the way the game is going but if you are number one ruckman then you will play 70 per cent of the time," he said.

"My season last year was slow to start after double shoulder surgery, then I came back and did my hammy, played a couple then hurt my shoulder again. I knew I was unprepared."

Last season his three year contract with the Blues had finished prompting speculation he could find a third AFL club over summer with up to four teams showing interest. Warnock decided to end speculation by re-signing during the year.

It was an act of faith in a place he believes is going places, claiming expectations this season are "limitless".

"The facilities are great, our playing list is really talented. If things click I really believe we can have some success and I want to be part of it. Our staff, medical, assistant coaches are all very good. We have no limitations on where we can finish," said Warnock.

"But you don't know what can happen so all you can worry about is week to week. When you see blokes play consistently, be injury free, then you will improve. You have to be on the track session after session, you can't do it in the weights room."

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Jay ready for a breakout season

Port Adelaide Power footballer Jay Schulz is fit and ready to make an impact. Picture: Tait Schmaal Source: adelaidenow

JAY Schulz has been Port Adelaide's leading goalkicker twice in three years, is among the AFL's most accurate full forwards and acts as the obvious centrepiece of the Power's attack.

This will be his 11th season, having been at Punt Rd before being traded to his home state of South Australia at the end of 2009. There have been hauls of seven goals three times in his time with Port.

Yet if his career finished today - and it has come close because of his horror run with injuries - he would give himself a fail mark. Schulz has yet to play finals; in his decade in the AFL, the closest was a ninth-placed finish with the Tigers in 2006 and 2008.

"Every team wants to play finals and we're no different; we're desperate to play finals," Schulz said.

"It's a really big desire for me and the main thing that keeps driving me. Until I get there I'm not going to feel like I've passed (as a footballer)."

Over the years, Schulz has spent as much time on the sidelines as he has in the team.

His list of injuries includes broken ankles, ribs and collisions that have seen him miss matches for a gouged eye and internal bleeding.

The last one, which came after a collision with teammate Justin Westhoff, was a sickening clash that left him in hospital with banged-up kidneys and a sizeable blood clot.

But it's never been an issue for Schulz, who has taken a pragmatic approach to injuries; in his position, and the way he plays, they will be endured.

His attack on the ball is also what makes him as a player, what keeps him involved in matches - and new coach Ken Hinkley has had to tell him to ease up when he's been at his most aggressive over summer.

As laid back as he is off the field, he can be a fiery bastard on it.

But he's patched up again, and one of the reasons his confidence hasn't been rocked by the hits and their repercussions is because part of him expects them to come.

"I had a scan in January this year and that's all clear, (the) blood clot's gone and the kidneys are working back to normal," he said. "I've done close to a full pre-season and had a really good summer.

"Sometimes the way I play I do that in training as well and I have to try to not kill myself at times. But if I don't train that way I don't think I'll play that way either.

"I haven't really thought about it (the injuries) that much. Injuries are injuries   ...  and the way I've played my whole career and the position I've played, mainly tall, key forward or back, that's what happens in those roles.

"There are always big contests, whether they are in the air or on the ground, and I just accept that."

FOR all of that, he's feeling every one of his 27 years (28 in April), and there is a new level of urgency of reaching the top eight before he exits the game.

"With such a young team, I do rock up feeling old," Schulz said. "But at the same time, having all those kids around makes you feel younger, because they're always up and about. They seem to joke a lot more and are good fun to have around. And they keep you on your toes, as an older fellow, especially when you do competitive work.

"They say it's supposed to get easier as you get older but I think it's probably the other way around. It gets harder and harder because the game just gets harder and harder, with the speed of the game.

"But it's also been a very enjoyable pre-season. We've had a lot of guys who have come back from surgery and we think we're in pretty good nick. But I know everybody does this time of year."

It's a different feel around Port Adelaide this summer.

The drills at training have taken on a different look, there are new voices and ideas from the coaches and fitness men.

Schulz corrects himself from time to time, laughing at the fact that all clubs are brimful with optimism this time of year, but he said it does feel like a fresh beginning at Alberton.

"Every coach coaches differently and Kenny (Hinkley) has his own little bits that he brings to the team, and that's great," Schulz said. "The old saying goes `a change is as good as a holiday' and that really goes with footy.

"Any time something new and fresh comes in, blokes get excited about it and want to learn as fast as they can and try it out.

"Kenny's been great, along with Richo (senior assistant Alan Richardson) and Burgo (fitness coach Darren Burgess).

"All the boys have bought into what they brought."

A couple of things have stood out already.

Hinkley has noted how Port had to scrap for their goals last year only for the opposition to respond with a cheap goal.

Part of it was because of poor decision-making, part of it from turnovers that came through lack of technique in congested situations.

"We've been doing a fair bit of work on things like ball security - not fumbling the footy when you're tackled but hold on and give a handball off - tackling as well and move the ball with speed," Schulz said. "We're just trying to score more quickly and easier; we seemed to have to do a lot of work for our goals last year and a lot of teams seemed to get easy goals."

Schulz reckoned Angus Monfries' crossing from Essendon would make his life easier.

With Justin Westhoff and Brett Ebert struggling for consistent form last season, Schulz was minded closely by opposition clubs but he is hopeful some of the attention will be diverted by Monfries and Westhoff, who has enjoyed an impressive and injury-free summer.

"Gus (Monfries) has been fantastic, both up the ground and in the midfield," Schulz said. "He's a really smart footballer and he's really good in the air for his size.

"I look forward to having him there and Westie's done the whole pre-season and he's looking forward to taking his game to another level and have a really consistent season."

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Veteran Milne in the thick of it

Stephen Milne starred in St Kilda's first intraclub practice match of the year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CONSIDERING age and experience, Stephen Milne should have joined skipper Nick Riewoldt and best and fairest winner Lenny Hayes on the sidelines for St Kilda's first intraclub practice match yesterday.

Instead, the ageless little goalsneak was right in the thick of it at Seaford, as a standout performer setting a high bar for another productive AFL season.

Milne booted four goals and set up at least another three with his renowned crumbing work in tandem with "apprentices" Terry Milera and Ahmed Saad.

The form of the 258-games veteran was high on coach Scott Watters' list of encouraging signs from the workout that lasted nearly two hours.

Watters said Milne was on a modified training program early in the pre-season to protect a minor knee problem. But the 32-year-old stepped up his work when players resumed after the Christmas break.

"He won't play every NAB Cup game, but he is a player who thrives on hard work and has his whole career. He was pretty lively out there today," Watters said.

Milne looked sharp and keen and the coach continued to marvel at his leadership and example for younger teammates. He set up two of Milera's three goals while Saad chimed in with two.

Beau Maister, formerly Wilkes, was impressive among the tall targets with three goals, while young ruckman Tom Hickey, midfielders Jack Steven and David Armitage and defenders Farren Ray and James Gwilt looked in good touch.

Rhys Stanley, Sean Dempster and Adam Schneider were the other notable absentees from the opening practice match.

"Rhys has had some durability concerns over his career, so he's on a program that will have him prepared possibly for next week, but certainly over the next couple of weeks. He has been training fully and he's in good shape. It's all about having them ready for round 1," Watters said.

"We've come off with a few bumps and bruises, but no injuries which is the main thing this time of the year. I thought the ball movement was pretty clean and we can build on that."

A full complement of field, boundary and goal umpires supervised the modified game that gave players short breaks every 10 to 15 minutes in the heat for onfield drinks in groups.

Ruckman Ben McEvoy jogged to the dressing rooms with a trainer midway through the match and didn't return. But Watters said he was rested to manage his heavy workloads this season.

St Kilda starts its NAB Cup campaign against Adelaide and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium next Sunday.

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Prized Giants safe from rivals

GWS Giants' 2011 No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton has committed to the club. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

GREATER Western Sydney is on the verge of re-contracting some of its most prized young players, helping safeguard its glittering list from a poaching raid.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal three of its top-four picks from the 2011 national draft, including top selection Jon Patton, 19, have agreed to re-sign with the Giants.

The man Richmond made a big play for last year, inside midfielder Dom Tyson (No.3), line-breaking wingman Will Hoskin-Elliott (No.4) and versatile big man Aidan Corr (No.14, 2012 draft) have all made commitments to stay. 

The club, which made welcome progress on the deals on Friday, want to make an announcement about the youngsters' agreements in the coming weeks.

But a deal for last year's No. 1 pick Lachie Whitfield has not yet been finalised. The Giants are confident of extending terms before the end of the year.

The commitments are a major coup for the club, as it strives to keep its batch of youngsters safe from rival advances.

It is believed the youngsters either will or have signed for another two years, tying them to the club until 2015.

It is known the Giants fledgling young stars have raved about their relationship with GWS's new senior assistant coach Leon Cameron, who replaced Mark Williams late last year.

A source said Cameron's impact on GWS's first to third year players in particular has been "significant".

The Tigers, where Williams is now a development coach, made a major bid to snare the highly-rated Tyson, 19, last year, offering their first round draft pick for the prolific ball-winner.

Tyson has been laid low by a posterior ligament injury, but has been carefully managed by the Giants to help the Oakleigh prodigy return about mid-season.

Patton, the hulking key forward, has also been widely hunted but is set to stay at the Giants, helping make one of the formidable burgeoning big man partnerships with Jeremy Cameron.

Patton has been linked to Hawthorn, as a potential replacement option for Lance Franklin, if the out-of-contract All-Australian leaves Waverley.

The new contract agreements are a major accomplishment for Giants bosses, led by CEO David Matthews, list manager Steve Silvagni and veteran football manager Graeme Allan.

Despite the interest of Victorian clubs, the Giants have made an excellent start to keeping their list together.

A GWS spokesman said the club was happy with its list management progress as the club approached its second AFL season.

"Developing and retaining our best talent is a key priority for the GIANTS," the spokesman said.

"Last year we re-signed 13 players, including seven of our eight NAB Rising Star nominations, to long term agreements.

"We are not in a position to comment on any other players because nothing has been finalised at this stage but it will remain a key priority for the club as the year progresses."

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Chris McDermott: Fall on sword Hird

The buck stops with Essendon coach James Hird. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MAKE absolutely no mistake - you will be caught. That's the promise from AFL headquarters after the Australian Crime Commission's explosive revelations regarding drug cheats in Australian sport.

Problem is we've heard it all before. And despite boasting world's best practice in the fight against drugs, the reality is the AFL has anything but.

Its Integrity Unit established in 2008 to protect the game has proven to be insipid at best, an abject failure at worst.

The AFL has not fumbled the ball, it has lost sight of it. The game of Australian rules at the highest level has rarely been in worse shape.

It beggars belief that the practices revealed at Essendon Football Club this week by the Melbourne media could have gone unnoticed by everyone at AFL House. This is surely a case of gross negligence by trusted members of the game's governing body and those heads must be held accountable as much as those involved with the administering of substances legal or otherwise.

The AFL says ignorance is no defence for players choosing to put unknown substances in their body. It can be no defence for them either.

Sadly the first head to roll might have to be one the biggest in the game.

James Hird, coach of Essendon, must be held to account for his role in the debacle at Windy Hill even if the substances involved are found to be legal. That he has allowed his players, almost to a man, to be used like guinea pigs without comprehension of what he was asking them to do is the worst football decision he will make and it could be a career changer.

It was not long ago the Brisbane Lions were banned from intravenously rehydrating their players under medical supervision because it wasn't a good look for the game.

Off-site injecting rooms have far greater implications and cannot go unpunished.

Despite suggestions injections were not forced on players, mob mentality is strong inside a football change room and young players would have felt obliged to participate in the practice after their coach condoned it.

It is abuse of his position at the very least - and the sight of Essendon's press conference with chairman, CEO and coach minus any Bomber logos, colours or sponsors was clear indication their issue is far greater than suspect supplements.

The AFL has pleaded for voluntary confessions rather than forced ones, so Hird may well be best served falling on his sword and admitting misuse of his powers in the hope of returning to the game in some fashion in the not-too-distant future.

By Hird's own admission as coach the buck stops with him. The 253-game dual-premiership player, Brownlow medallist, Norm Smith medallist, five-time All-Australian, AFL hall of famer and former club captain might have to make one more sacrifice for his team in the hope others follow suit.

Australians are by nature a forgiving mob to those that admit fault and in time Hird will be welcomed back with open arms, but choose the Lance Armstrong method of deny, deny, deny and in the public's eye a life sentence could await.

As powerful as the ACC's findings were, talk is cheap and villains must be identified and, where appropriate, arrests must follow.

The sporting public of Australia is currently left with more questions than answers. Quick action by the law enforcers is needed to protect the innocent as much as to catch the guilty.

Thursday February 7, 2013, has been labelled the blackest day in Australian sport history.

A nation so proud of its sports heroes has been left to question every one of them and every team they cheer.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou pleaded with fans yesterday "not to lose faith in the sport".

Too late, she cried, for some.

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Rich puts hand up for co-captaincy

Captaincy material? Midfielder Daniel Rich goes through his paces as the Brisbane Lions train at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE midfielder Daniel Rich says it would be a "huge honour" to be appointed Lions co-captain.

Rich, along with Tom Rockliff, Daniel Merrett, Jed Adcock and Joel Patfull, is a leading contender for the post created by Jonathan Brown stepping down from the sole captaincy to help usher in a new generation of leadership.

The 22-year-old said he would relish the opportunity to work alongside Brown if given the chance.

"To be able to learn from Brownie would be huge because it is not like you are being thrown in the deep end," Rich said.

"It is a massive responsibility for whoever gets the job but also a huge honour." Adcock, who has filled in for Brown when the skipper has been unavailable in recent years, says he still has plenty to offer.

"If the position came up for me, I'd love to do it but in saying that there is a really good crop of players that could take that role," he said. "I'm only 27, I hope I'm not too old."

The Lions are expected to name the co-captain before their first NAB Cup fixture on February 23.

Meanwhile utility Brent Staker has had a hiccup with his comeback from a knee reconstruction. He will undergo a precautionary arthriscope procedure tomorrow on the knee that was not reconstructed.

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