Essendon coach James Hird was interviewed by ASADA last week. In the process, Hird was allowed to be accompanied by his legal counsel in the interview room. Although Hird was not obliged to answer questions, he was warned that any answers he did provide will be used as part of the ongoing investigation that is likely to unfold over a number of months, including the cross-reference of evidence.
ASADA and AFL investigators went into the interview with all the relevant ACC transcripts and documentation, including the consent forms signed by the Essendon players, medical records and other information. If Hird’s signature is on any documents, he will also be asked to verify it and explain his actions. Recent text messages between former club sports scientist Stephen Dank and the Bombers coach last year are also likely to be put under the microscope.
Essendon club doctors Bruce Reid and Brendan De Morton have already been interviewed by ASADA investigators. Reid has provided ASADA with details of serious concerns and warnings he gave club executives about the supplements program undertaken by Dank last year.
Dank alleged that he gave Hird the banned peptide Hexarelin and also administered banned substances to assistant coaches Simon Goodwin and James Byrne. While it is illegal for players to take Hexarelin, it is not for coaching staff, however the AFL may take the stand that taking the drug would bring the game into disrepute and eventually issue personal penalties accordingly.
ASADA will also delve deeper into a corporate presentation given last year by the banned peptide drug’s maker to James Hird and club chairman David Evans, as they build evidence against Essendon over its alleged use of anti-obesity drug AOD9604. It is expected by ASADA to recall James Hird for further interviews in the near future.
