Demons linked to Dank, says report

The ABC's 7.30 program on Thursday night reported that it had obtained a series of text messages between Dank and Melbourne's club doctor Dan Bates.

The program said the messages showed that Dank was heavily involved in a supplement program for some Demons players last year, which included the use of injections.

Melbourne has previously denied its players had any direct contact with Dank.

But some of the text messages revealed by 7.30 purportedly show there had been contact between Dank and Melbourne players, including the following alleged message sent from Bates to Dank: ".... Lynden Dunn would like an injection on Thursday if possible (good about Dunny asking, as he is doing it because the other guys have said they feel good)."

The AFL responded to the report on Thursday night by saying it was urgently seeking an explanation from Melbourne about how the claims reconcile with previous statements from the club.

"As part of its initial inquiries in February, the AFL approached the Melbourne Football Club to ascertain the club's involvement with Stephen Dank.

"Melbourne provided the AFL with an explanation, however the matter has remained open as part of the AFL's broader investigation into Mr Dank's activities with AFL clubs.

"The AFL was not previously aware of the claims broadcast tonight by the ABC and these will form part of ongoing investigations by ASADA and the AFL.

"The AFL is urgently seeking a further explanation from Melbourne Football Club about the veracity of the claims and how they can be reconciled with previous statements from the club."

Late on Thursday night Melbourne released a statement saying the club had launched an internal review immediately following the announcement of the investigation into the Essendon Football Club.

''The review found no evidence that the supplements program at the Club contravened any ASADA or WADA guidelines and no evidence that any player at the Melbourne Football Club had been administered a banned substance at any time,'' the statement said.

''The 7.30 report referred to injections. These injections were prescribed by Dr Bates and comprised vitamin B, C and Glutathione (an antioxidant) injections to some players.

''These injections were administered by a registered nurse at a medical clinic recommended by Dank. The Club has received confirmation from the medical clinic that the injections administered were as prescribed.

''The program also made reference to a cream which is not prohibited under ASADA and WADA guidelines.

''The program made reference to Thymomodulin, Cerebrolysin, Naltrexone, Tribulus and Oxytocin. None of these substances were prescribed by Dr Bates for players at the Melbourne Football Club.''

The statement said that Dank had applied for a position at the club in 2012 but was not successful.

''He was known to the Club via this process and to the Club Doctor, Dr Dan Bates,'' the statement said.

The club said that all staff were instructed to, and did, ''sever all ties'' with Stephen Dank once the investigation into Essendon was launched.

It also detailed its protocol and governance in relation to treatment of players: ''only the Club Doctor can prescribe and approve treatment to players. This system meant that at no time was Dank able to directly treat players.''

''Dank and Dr Bates communicated via email, phone and text, regarding supplements (prior to the investigation). Our processes require Dr Bates to consider the appropriateness of any treatment and make a determination as to its suitability at all times, to ensure that the welfare of our players is always maintained

''Every supplement included in the Club's supplement regime is approved by the Club Doctor and is in accordance with all ASADA and WADA guidelines.

Melbourne said it will ''continue to co-operate with the AFL and its ongoing investigation''.

Melbourne is believed to have held an emergency board meeting at the MCG on Thursday night.

The 7.30 report said it had copies of text messages between Bates and Dank stretching back to mid-2012. Several Demons players were named in the messages, including Dunn and Jack Trengove.

Essendon is being investigated by ASADA and AFL integrity officers over revelations involving Dank's use of supplements at the Bombers.

Dank last week claimed that Essendon assistant coaches Simon Goodwin and James Byrne were the coaches Dank has claimed took drugs that the World Anti-Doping Agency forbids athletes from using.

Last Saturday, the ABC reported text messages they had obtained, allegedly between Goodwin and Dank last year, with the assistant coach repeatedly asking the sports scientist to keep him personally supplied with "the good stuff".

A text message allegedly sent by Goodwin to Dank at the end of June 2012, said: "Don't forget the good gear today buddy."

Then on July 5, Goodwin again wrote to Dank: "Don't forget the good gear mate."