Dank linked to Cats in AFL

Banned sports scientist Stephen Dank apparently provided services to Geelong during the AFL club’s 2007-11 premiership era.

Evidence in Essendon’s AFL anti-doping tribunal case appears to directly link Dank to the Cats through Dean Robinson, who was their high performance manager from 2007-10.

The Herald Sun has quoted from the tribunal documents, which have not been made public.

“While at Geelong, Mr Robinson used the services of Mr Dank,” the tribunal judgment said.

Transcripts from the Essendon hearing quote a March, 2010 email from Neil Balme, who was then Geelong’s football manager and now has the same role at Collingwood.

Balme’s email to a Geelong employee mentions Dank and Robinson.

“I’ve spoken to Dean … and he will fix this,” Balme is quoted as saying.

“If you need to talk to the creditor, tell them that their man Steve Dank knows all about what should be charged, etc.”

The anti-doping tribunal was told that Balme was referring to an invoice from a company controlled by Dr Ijaz Khan, an associate of Dank.

ASADA lawyer Malcolm Holmes QC told the tribunal that Robinson worked with Dank at several AFL and NRL clubs.

The pair’s work at Essendon in 2012 led to the supplements saga that continues to plague the club.

The AFL anti-doping tribunal ruled in favour of 34 current and past Essendon players, but WADA is appealing that finding.

Dank is also appealing against his life ban from the same tribunal.

Mark Thompson, who coached Geelong to the 2007 and `09 flags and was interim coach at Essendon last year, said on Saturday that the Bombers are “drowning” because of the ongoing saga.

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