Dopers won't take bait: psychologist

Doping ... Psychologist Patsy Tremayne doubts guilty players will come forward. Source: Supplied

Former AFL Players Association psychologist Patsy Tremayne has termed the Australian Crime Commission's report release a "fishing expedition'' and doubts whether many dopers will take the bait.

Justice Minister Jason Clare said on Sunday some players had already come forward with pertinent information following the ACC's shocking revelations about widespread doping, links to crime and even an apparent case of match-fixing in Australian sport last week.

Clare had been forthright at Thursday's ACC announcement, warning professional sportsmen to not ''underestimate how much we know, and if you are involved in this come forward before you get a knock at the door''.

But Tremayne, an associate professor at University of Western Sydney, believed the stick being waved by Clare and his counterparts would be ineffective in most cases.

''I think they (players involved with doping or match-fixing) would be very torn right now, thinking 'should I come clean or not?' and 'will it get better for me?'.'' Tremayne said of the ACC's Project Aperio findings.

''I'm sure that they'll be weighing up whether they've done much to get caught or not.

''I believe a very small number of people would have come forward so far.

''I dont think there's going to be an avalanche by any means.

''I'm not sure, but I think with a lot of them the feeling would be 'well we can't trust the government' to a large extent.

''Unless they've been fairly blatant and they know that other people know ... or if they have a few enemies who might dob them in.''

Tremayne warned on Monday of the psychological challenges that dopers face.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

''These athletes are essentially living a lie by keeping their doping to themselves and hiding it from their friends and families, and the constant subterfuge would eventually take a toll,'' Tremayne said.

''I just think they're going to be left with a legacy of shame for what they have done.

''When their careers are over and they have children, they will feel deep regret and shame.''

However she was doubtful of just how widespread the issues were.

''In some ways that crime report is really just a fishing expedition it seems. That's my opinion, unless they bring out hard data.''

Tremayne said there was no simple answer to ensuring sports stars resist the temptations of doping, but that bringing them outside the club's bubble was crucial.

''A lot of footballers get into a situation where they don't mix with anyone outside the club.

''I think sports clubs could make a concerted effort to try and encourage them to have external people in their life more and do more external things, instead of having them in the bubble.''

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

T20 withdrawal frustrate Bailey

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Withdrawals ... George Bailey believes the Aussie team can still entertain. Source: Theron Kirkman / News Limited

Frustrated Australia Twenty20 captain George Bailey understands why he will lead a depleted side against West Indies in Brisbane on Wednesday but fears it may compromise their World Cup countdown.

Bailey would have been forgiven for feeling like the last man standing in the T20 side as the 17-strong Australian squad assembled in India for their four-Test tour.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

And his team for the one-off T20 international may be depleted further after Queensland batsman Joe Burns was called in on Monday as cover for Adam Voges (hamstring).

As a result, the finale for Australia's international summer of cricket resembles a fizzer.

"It's frustrating. No doubt Cricket Australia have prioritised the Test series - I don't blame them for that,'' Bailey said.

"But we've got seven or eight games until the T20 World Cup (in Bangladesh in 2014).

"It (preparation) does feel a little compromised.''

And Bailey said if rumours of a change to the 2014 World Cup format were true, world No.7 Australia needed the best preparation available to get out of the "danger zone''.

The number of teams have been expanded from 12 to 16 at the 2014 T20 World Cup but Bailey appeared anxious over how many automatically qualified.

"I have heard they are going to change the format...there will be a certain amount who automatically qualify,'' he said.

"I have heard six and I have heard eight, and we are in that danger zone.

"So every game as a group is important...in terms of trying to maintain some structure and continuity.''

Ticket prices for Wednesday's T20 international ranged from $45 to $105 but Bailey baulked when asked if fans would be short changed.

"It is frustrating. I am sure they (fans) would like to see the best 11 available,'' he said.

"I don't think they will be short changed...but will the best players be there? Not necessarily.''

Burns is in line to make his international debut along with the likes of WA quick Nathan Coulter-Nile and NSW batsman Ben Rohrer on Wednesday after being placed on standby for Voges.

Voges twinged a hamstring during his match-winning 112 not out in Australia's 17-run ODI win over the Windies on Sunday night, completing a five-game sweep.

Bailey - who missed the ODI finale at the MCG - was confident he would overcome his own hamstring complaint.

Meanwhile, quick Ben Cutting denied he had been given a ``cheap cap'' before running out on home ground the Gabba in national colours for the first time.

"I have worked as hard as the other boys,'' he said.

"It's part and parcel of being a fast bowler. It gives you opportunities but it can also take them away with injury and what not.''

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thurston cleared of hand injury

Cowboy ... Johnathan Thurston is clear to play on Saturday. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston has been cleared of a hand injury which threatened his start to the NRL season.

The Queensland and and Australian five-eighth underwent precautionary x-rays and scans on Monday after hurting his right hand in Saturday night's NRL All Stars game.

Thurston's hand was still sore on Monday, but the club confirmed there was no structural damage.

He is now safe to travel to Cairns on Thursday for the club's NRL pre-season trial against St George-Illawarra at Barlow Park on Saturday night.

Fellow co-captain Matthew Scott, Gavin Cooper, Dallas Johnson, Glenn Hall, Ashton Sims and Antonio Winterstein are expected to make their first appearance for the year in the trial.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys believe their latest re-signing Kane Linnett can break into representative football this season.

The 24-year-old centre, who played 24 of the club's 26 games in 2012, extended his contract until 2016 on Monday, much to the delight of coach Neil Henry and club football manager Peter Parr.

Linnett carried off the club's Most Improved award last season following a breakout year which included 12 tries to the former Rooster.

"We couldn't have been any happier with how Kane performed in his first season with the Cowboys,'' Parr said on Monday.

"He settled in straight away, had an excellent season in both attack and defence and we think there's still more development there in his game.

"He should come into contention for representative football in the near-future and it's a big positive for our club that he's committed long-term to the Cowboys.''

Linnett, who is three games shy of 50 NRL games, said he enjoyed the North Queensland lifestyle.

"Both the area and the club suit me. I already have some great mates here and you can tell we have a team capable of winning a premiership,'' he said.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

NSW ends Tassie Ryobi Cup hopes

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Opener ... David Dawson's maiden Ryobi Cup century helps NSW win. Source: Richard Jupe / News Limited

A five-wicket haul from teenage NSW quick Gurinder Sandhu has ended Tasmania's slim chance of sneaking into the domestic one-day final in a 37-run victory at Bellerive.

Sandhu, who claimed figures of 5-35 in just his second match, removed dangerman Tim Paine (30 from 44) and ripped through the Tigers tail after in-form opener David Dawson had struck a maiden one-day century in the Blues' 4-246.

Spin twins Luke Doran (3-64) and Adam Zampa (1-44) had orchestrated a Tigers' collapse with the home side needing a bonus point win to remain a mathematical chance of playing in the February 27 decider.

ODD - Blundstone Arena

11 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Tasmania 1st Innings

E. Gulbis	45	54	4	0	83.33
A. Fekete	0	6	0	0	0
G. Sandhu	9.3	1	35	5	3.68

Doran bowled Tasmanian opener Jonathan Wells for a duck in the second over before removing Alex Doolan (21 from 19) and Jason Krejza (7 from 9).

It was leg-spinner Zampa, though, that snared the big one when he had Ricky Ponting caught behind after the former Australian skipper had looked ominous, cracking five fours in his 28 from 29 balls.

For Tasmania, only Jordan Silk (54 from 71) and Evan Gulbis (45 from 54) offered much resistance.

Tasmania stay fifth with the loss and NSW sixth despite their first one-day victory since September 16 last year.

The Tigers made a bright start, reaching 50 off just 61 balls despite the loss of Wells at 1-6.

Ponting departed at 2-58 and Paine without a run being added, caught behind off the impressive bowling of 19-year-old Sandhu.

Any chance of a bonus point looked gone when Doolan went at 4-101, and it was 5-119 when Daniel Hughes took an unusual catch that had ricocheted off the bowler's hands to dismiss Matt Johnston (8 from 20).

Sandhu took the last four wickets, including Silk's, to mop up the tail, the Tigers all out for 209.
Earlier, Dawson continued to torment his former state with an unbeaten 124 from 139 balls.
The 30-year-old put on 93 with Tim Cruickshank (61 from 85) for the second wicket to set up NSW's total after they had won the toss.
He made 75 in the first innings of last week's drawn Sheffield Shield match but his unbeaten 19 in the second was just as important as he saw off the final over of the tense draw.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Hird had input into supplement use'

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Denial ... Stephen Dank speaks for the first time on the ABC's 7.30. Source: ABC / Supplied

Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank says Essendon club coaches and management were well aware of the fully legal supplement program that he oversaw.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Speaking on the ABC's 7.30, Dank said head coach James Hird and high-performance manager Dean Robinson even had input into the program.

While he denied players were on illegal substances, Dank made the startling allegation that there were coaches and support staff on supplements that would not be allowed under the WADA code.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

As the code only applies to players, the coaches and staff had not breached it.

He also revealed he had been interviewed by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and told he had done nothing wrong.

Investigations into drug use are currently being carried out by the AFL, ACC and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA).

Another of the allegations levelled at Dank was that players were given performance-enhancing supplements without their knowledge, which he denied, saying players signed consent forms and were briefed on the supplements given to them.

"There was a collective involvement, it wasn't just Stephen Dank, there was certainly input from other people into structuring the program," he said.

"Dean Robnson, James Hird, club doctor Bruce Reid, they were the main people involved in the knowledge of the program."

A program that Dank maintains was completely above board.

"I guess from our point of view - we were introducing a pretty broad range type program - we wanted them to be informed of what was to be undertaken during that program.

"Often times, especially in the early stages, we reaffirmed with the players that they knew what they were taking.

"I'm certainly very surprised (they've said they didn't know what they were taking) given how much time we spent discussing it with them."

---

Essendon kick off their NAB Cup campaign on Friday night against Collingwood and Western Bulldogs, which can be seen live and exclusive on Fox Footy.

---

Essendon sparked the debate into drugs in sport when they announced they had asked the AFL and ASADA to investigate their fitness regime in 2012.

"We want to get this investigation started. We want to get it done. We want to come out with a clean bill of health," Hird said last week.

"We want to move on with the footy season."

"I'm very disappointed - shocked is probably the best word.

"I believe we followed processes, we put in place the right sort of processes. My understanding is we worked within the framework given to us by the AFL and WADA."

Dank said players were introveniasly injected with vitamin B and vitamin C only, not the alleged illegal peptides.

During his time at Manly, Dank confirmed he had used calves' blood but said nothing illegal was given to players.

"We used a lot of supplements to be honest, but nothing different to other clubs," he said.

"We did use a little bit of calves blood there at one stage but that was no different to what was appropriate in the world of sport at the time.

"Any elite system pushes towards the boundary and it would be foolish to think Essendon are the only ones pushing the line and looking at these sorts of programs."

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More