REGARDING “Australia’s blackest day in sport” involving sport supplements in rugby league: I believe Manly Warringah was fortunate that a toothless Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and hesitant National Rugby League were happy to have Cronulla as their scapegoat.
Cronulla were an easy target. They had no chief executive officer and were in general turmoil. When ASADA came knocking, their makeshift administration folded like a deck of cards and threw themselves upon the mercy of the court.
Stephen Dank presided over Manly’s “supplement program” for a five-year period (before his 11-week stint at Cronulla), in which the Sea Eagles won two grand finals and were generally very successful.
Cronulla, lacking a major trophy in their cupboard, probably jumped at the chance to engage Mr Dank and his perceived ‘‘legal’’ supplements program when the opportunity arose.
ASADA never troubled Manly, or if they did, it would appear they were told to go away and come back when they had solid evidence. Which they never did or had. Despite Manly’s internally fractured board of directors, they remained solid against outside forces.
Cronulla could learn much from Manly’s staunch solidarity.
Wayne Moylan, Merewether
