Cronulla Sharks captain Paul Gallen. Picture: Mark Evans Source: DailyTelegraph
AT least eight Cronulla Sharks players, including NSW State of Origin captain Paul Gallen, were in negotiations to cut a deal over alleged anti-doping violations in March, according to documents obtained by The Daily Telegraph.
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The documents show that the Sharks players felt they were let down by the club on the basis that Cronulla staff directed them to use certain supplements, now believed to be prohibited peptides, and were advised the products had been cleared by ASADA.
The deal was being brokered at the same time as the NRL became aware the AFL had a favourable private deal with the government, meaning Essendon players could possibly escape the drugs-in-sport investigation with no sanctions.
In a separate document exclusively published by The Daily Telegraph on Monday, the government indicated ASADA would explain to the Essendon players that these are exceptional circumstances and the defence of no fault or negligence may be available, meaning they might not have to serve a ban at all.
In contrast, Cronulla and the NRL were only offered the lesser "no significant fault" defence that reduces bans to a minimum of six months.
A list of conditions in return for players accepting a six-month "no significant fault" suspension for alleged use of "prohibited substances" included contracts being honoured for the period of any sanction, Cronulla guaranteeing not to sack any players, a percentage of the salary cap increase for 2014 and one-year contract extensions for off-contract players.
Sharks captain Gallen is believed to have requested three State of Origin match payments of $30,000 each and an Anzac Test payment of $20,000 be included as part of his package, along with more than $100,000 worth of sponsorships, two Toyota vehicles and a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Cronulla Sharks winger Beau Ryan admits the ongoing ASADA investigation is having a negative impact on the club.
In total, Gallen's list of demands was worth about $200,000, the two vehicles and the motorcycle.
In exchange for the financial benefits, the Sharks players indicated they may be prepared to agree to waive all future rights against the club. They were also prepared to abide by a "gag order", keeping them silent about the 2011 supplement program, which was overseen by sports scientist Steven Dank and trainer Trent Elkin.
The eight Sharks players prepared to consider the no fault plea bargain included Gallen, Wade Graham, Nathan Gardner, Nathan Stapleton, Matthew Wright, Stewart Mills and Jayson Bukuya.
In a surprise twist, prop Bryce Gibbs was also named as one of the players mulling over the deal even though Gibbs was still playing at Wests Tigers in 2011.
The deal was being negotiated by Cronulla Sharks' previous board of directors in response to an ASADA "offer".
The documents show the players maintained they were innocent victims in the affair and that they were advised that the products had been cleared and were safe to use; both health-wise and ASADA-wise.
The players argued that the club effectively forced them to use the supplements through the club officials that were involved in the substance program.
The players indicated they have strong grounds of action against the club but they were prepared to waive such action against Cronulla if the club would agree to certain concessions.
These included:
* CONTRACTS being honoured during the sanction period;
* THE Sharks guaranteeing not to sack any player for breach of contract during the six-month bans;
* ONCE they serve the suspension, they will immediately be considered available for selection;
* A PERCENTAGE of the new salary cap increases for 2014;
* PLAYERS who were out of contract at the end of 2013 being given one-year extensions; and
* PLAYERS with bonus clauses or on match payments have those elements of their contracts honoured.
Sharks captain Gallen, Graham, Gibbs and Stapleton all sought to have representative bonuses and payments covered, while the remainder of the Sharks players named are all on match payments and sought the equivalent value of 23 games in a season be covered.
Gallen also sought reimbursement for other off-field earnings and was concerned that he would lose sponsors or media deals. He requested that in the event that a contract was terminated because of an anti-doping sanction, the club reimburse the lost amount.
Gallen's sponsors and media partners are: Blades; 2KY; Triple M; Pain Away; Toyota, which provides him with a Hilux (in addition to the car provided by the club); Harley Davidson; and The Sunday Telegraph.
The NRL was granted permission to forensically audit the Sharks' computer system in February, when the game's governing body sent Deloitte in to examine the club's records.
It's understood that when the Sharks players learned of the AFL's deal with the federal government, they stopped considering the ASADA "offer" and ceased negotiating.
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