Gold Coast CEO Travis Auld says he has not been officially told that star AFL player Nathan Bock is being investigated in a major drugs in sport probe.
But Auld confirmed it was only a matter of time before the club held talks with the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).
Instead of soaking up last round’s 60-point thumping of Melbourne, Auld on Monday had to deal with questions about Bock’s alleged use of banned peptides.
A News Limited report said that the AFL and ASADA were investigating Bock’s alleged use of prohibited drug CJC-1295.
The report claimed Bock was injected over several weeks in December 2010 with some allegedly administered at his home.
The sports scientist embroiled in the AFL and NRL drugs scandal – Stephen Dank – was employed by the Suns between November 2010 and February 2011.
Auld knew an investigation was looming for the club after notifying the league of Dank’s employment once the “drugs in sport” controversy broke at rival club Essendon in February.
“We let the AFL know immediately to let them know that (Dank had been employed at the Suns),” Auld told reporters on Monday.
“They indicated at that time that they would want to have a chat to us about a couple of those people.
“No doubt, that will happen fairly soon.
“And once it is concluded, we are happy to be very transparent about it.”
Suns chairman John Witheriff said they would cooperate fully with authorities.
“An ongoing investigation by ASADA and the AFL is underway into the potential use of performance-enhancing drugs in the AFL,” he said in a statement.
“The Gold Coast Football Club confirmed in a media statement on February 5 that certain individuals involved with the Essendon fitness program during the period under investigation briefly worked for the club.
“The Gold Coast Football Club is fully cooperating with the continuing investigation and we look forward to meeting with representatives from ASADA shortly.
“It would be inappropriate for the club to make further comment at this time.”
Suns veteran Campbell Brown said the players were addressed about the allegations on Monday morning.
“But I am not in a position to speak about it,” he said.
“It was addressed earlier but, in terms of information, there is nothing for me to say.
“It is a hard position for me to be in.”
However, Brown believed it would not be a distraction for the Suns who line up against the Western Bulldogs at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
“It’s business as usual for us,” he said.
“The boys have pulled up well and we are firmly focused on Western Bulldogs this week and getting back-to-back wins for the first time for the club.”
