ASADA set to interview Hird

Devoted ... Hird is thankful for the support shown to him by his players. Source: Alex Coppel / News Limited

ASADA officials will interview James Hird on Tuesday over the Essendon drugs scandal and the intravenous injections program that could see him banned from football.

An Essendon side that was basking in the afterglow of an extraordinary win over Fremantle could soon be jolted back into reality.

The embattled coach was understood to be standing up well to the intense pressure.

AFL commissioner and bomber supporter Bill Kelty visited Hird at his Toorak home to support the coach and discuss the club's problems.

The ASADA officials will likely be joined by the AFL's own integrity department on Tuesday and will question his knowledge of the intravenous injections which are banned under the AFL's drug code.

Hird's interview is likely to last several days. Players have been told their ASADA interviews could start the next week, which coincides with Anzac Day preparations.

The Essendon champion says he will fight to clear his name and has stated he approved a program which is World Anti-Doping Agency compliant.

But the mention of intravenous injections or drips in the text messages with Stephen Dank raised red flags this week.

The WADA code prohibits the use of intravenous injections - no matter the substance used - if the doses are more than 50 millilitres, or are administered more than once in a six-hour period.

The sanctions for using "banned methods" are as lengthy as those for banned substances - up to two years for players and the same for coaches administering substances using those techniques.

There is no suggestion Hird administered substances, but if ASADA can prove knowledge of those banned methods as senior coach he can come under significant heat.

He was adamant on Friday night the truth would come out and put him in a "very, very good position".

The league's stance on Hird's position as coach seemed to have softened on Saturday, as former teammates Mark McVeigh and Scott Lucas urged him to continue coaching.

The AFL said that despite misgivings about Hird's role in the supplements saga it would not strip him of his role or apply pressure to Essendon to do so.

Former ASADA boss Richard Ings told the Sunday Herald Sun ASADA would definitely ask questions about the techniques used by Hird.

"The fact the text messages made reference to intravenous injections would be of great interest to ASADA as they seek to determine whether that form of administering of substances was in itself a banned method."

While the investigation might challenge Hird's position at the club, his players' devotion to their senior coach is not in question.

But Essendon captain Jobe Watson gave a greater insight into the club's unbeaten run when he said the club's performance was the only thing the players could control amid the maelstrom of allegations and claims.

"(Hird) is obviously someone we care about immensely and there is no hiding the fact it's been a very difficult time for him personally and the footy club," Watson said.

"Through adversity people who care about you come close.''

Hird revealed the players were so determined to smother him with care they barely left his side this week.

"They have been amazing. They won't leave me alone. They won't leave me for a second to have my own thoughts ... the support they have given me is outstanding," he said.

Bombers midfielder Heath Hocking rejected calls for Hird to stand aside as coach, saying he had the support "of every single player on our list."

"We’re there behind him every step of the way," he said.

Hocking said Hird was handling the pressure of allegations he injected banned substances last season as well as he could.

"He’s got a great character," he said.

"It’s been pretty tough on him but he’s put it aside and he’s focused on us as players and the club."

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ASADA to interview Manly coaches

Geoff Toovey ... set to be interviewed by ASADA. Source: AAP

Manly's coaching staff have been called into ASADA's NRL inquiries after receiving interview notices this week.

Sea Eagles head coach Geoff Toovey and veteran trainer Don Singe have joined 41 current and former players on the list of NRL identities that ASADA wishes to speak with as part of its investigation. It's also believed former Sea Eagles doctor, Paul Bloomfield, has been told he's wanted for interview.

All worked together at Manly while sports scientist Steve Dank - one of the investigation's central figures - was co-ordinating the club's supplement program.

Former Manly head coach Des Hasler oversaw Dank's work and is also expected to be interviewed, along with other former Sea Eagles staff that have since joined him at Canterbury.

Hasler said he was yet to receive a notice on Tuesday night, while Toovey declined to comment. Hasler and Toovey have previously denied any wrongdoing at Brookvale during Dank's tenure between 2005 and 2010.

Manly have also been given the all-clear over any concerns surrounding systematic doping, with the spotlight fixed on past and present Sea Eagles players who might have privately sourced additional supplements.

Dank has also denied ever using performance-enhancing substances in the NRL.

Toovey refused to speak about ASADA's investigation into the club, where it's believed at least three current Sea Eagles players are also wanted for interview.

While Hasler has cited budgetary constraints for Dank's departure in 2010, it's understood Bloomfield and other football staff held private concerns about some of his methods.

There were similar views within the club about Dank's associate, Darren Hibbert, AKA "The Gazelle".

Hibbert has confirmed that he sold permitted supplements directly to players from various clubs, including Manly.

And it was also revealed that Dank used a private clinic in Bankstown to treat players away from their clubs. ASADA has attempted to interview Dank and Hibbert, who have both denied any wrongdoing.

The NRL has vowed not to identify the players of interest. But it's already known that 14 are currently at Cronulla, while at least three are with Manly.

There are another eight former Sharks, who are either retired or playing elsewhere, in the sights of investigators.

While the players of interest are compelled to provide "reasonable assistance" to ASADA under the NRL rules, it remains to be seen what level of co-operation coaching staff will be expected to supply.

Legal representatives for the players are liaising with lawyers for the NRL to specifically define the players' rights. 

Should they not be satisfied with the NRL's interpretation, the players could seek an injunction from the NSW Supreme Court to have a judge define their responsibilities.

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Jose nails United job interview

Old sparring partners ... is Jose auditioning for Fergie's post? Source: Andrew Yates / AFP

The ref saw something most of us didn't.

From that moment on, Jose Mourinho didn’t miss a beat, and no, it has nothing to do with the football.

At Old Trafford on Wednesday morning (EDT), the Special One formally submitted his CV to be next manager of Manchester United.

The home side was apoplectic, he was apologetic.

Amongst the outrage, the vitriol and sarcastic clapping, he was humble, almost embarrassed.

Twice he whispered to his rival Sir Alex Ferguson before full-time. It means sweet nothings in the grand scheme for the enraged Scot, but still, humility in the extreme from a man known to coerce confrontation.

Yes, he has great respect for Ferguson, but to walk off the pitch, stop for a microphone in the tunnel only to say “the best team lost” then keep walking?!

Comparing this to his 2004 slide celebration in this competition with Porto is like comparing the heat in Death Valley to Mawson Base.

Why. Why, why, why.

Call it maturity - which doesn’t just have to happen once a male exits his teenage years - combined with a cunning plan.

Should Nani have been sent-off v Real Madrid?

Word is that the higher powers at Old Trafford (grandmaster Ferguson aside) aren’t particularly taken with Jose’s rap sheet, highlighted by several run-ins with his mortal enemy, Barcelona.

Why hire a man who seems to enjoy creating a ruckus? He who can be so unpleasant, mischievous …

Said United director/legend Sir Bobby Charlton in December: "He pontificates too much". 

For those who see Ferguson’s flaws, yes, this is a bit rich. The ultimate irony, perhaps. 

Real Madrid’s hierarchy are said to hold similar views, and mixed with Mourinho’s detest at certain sections of the Spanish press, his time there is running out. Trophies or no trophies.

He doesn’t have the press problem in England, with most in love with the fact nothing is boring with Jose around.

Mourinho has made it clear, he will return to the Premier League one day.

His options are limited, of course, to the big clubs.

Liverpool: never say never, but his friend Brendan Rodgers would have to see his project go horribly awry quickly.

Arsenal: only if the rumour of an Arab Consortium taking over happens. Jose working at a selling club?

Chelsea: possible, but once you get the sack, surely, you never go back.

Man City: possible, but given the love he showed this morning for the figurehead for what Blues in Manchester cannot stand… how?

Jose Mourinho would love to manage Manchester United. It has history, it has money, it has grandeur.

He also knew before this second leg, telling MUTV he has little chance of taking over once Ferguson eventually abdicates.

Things change and actions, not words, are more effective for change.

This morning his actions spoke loudly.

With a bit of help from the ref, he played it perfectly.

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