Stephen Dank wants Essendon players cleared, Jobe Watson to get Brownlow Medal back

UPDATE: BANNED sports scientist Stephen faces bankruptcy but has declared that his AFL Tribunal appeal will see Jobe Watson regain his Brownlow Medal.

Stephen Dank leaves the Supreme Court.

BANNED sports scientist Stephen Dank has three days to prove the “life-threatening” condition of a family member and keep his appeal against a life ban alive as he faces bankruptcy over a huge bank debt allegedly related to a failed Ponzi scheme.

Dank’s former lawyer on Sunday sent an eleventh-hour email to the AFL appeals board, AFL and ASADA counsels indicating that his ex-client would not be attending the AFL House hearing due to the “urgent admission of a family member to hospital” that had left him “distraught” and “required to be by her side”.

ASADA wanted the appeal dismissed by the board amid claims the mastermind of Essendon’s 2012 doping program has had “umpteen chances”.

MISSED HEARING: DANK MUST PROVIDE MEDICAL PROOF

AFL TRIBUNAL: DANK CAN CALL WITNESSES IN APPEAL

GIVEN BACK: JOBE’S SHADOW LOOMS LARGE OVER MEDAL

Dank was given until 5pm this Friday, November 26 to provide further detailed evidence “including the hospital and date of admission of the relative and a report from the treating doctor, verifying the nature of the seriousness of the condition of that patient”.

Dank could not be contacted by the Herald Sun on Monday, but took to Adelaide radio to declare he will “be doing my best to clear everyone’s name”.

“My most desired outcome is for everyone to be cleared,” he said on FiveAA.

Stephen Dank talks with Mike Sheahan. Picture: Michael Klein

“By the time we finish this hearing, Jobe (Watson) will have his Brownlow back.”

After missing the tribunal hearing, Dank staunchly rejected the notion that he is “stalling” the proceedings.

“We ran this on our timetable,” he said. “That’s your view (that we are holding things up).”

Essendon star Dyson Heppell says the players have “closure” and are tired of hearing about the saga following the latest Dank developments.

He played a straight bat when asked about Dank’s latest claims of clearing the players.

“I’m pretty sick and tired of the whole saga to be honest,” Heppell told SEN. “We’ve pretty well got a lot of closure now and we’re ready to move forward and not really have to worry about that to be honest.”

The Herald Sun can reveal that a bank subsidiary has moved to send Dank bankrupt over a $90,000 loan he has failed to repay.

Brilliant. Stephen Dank is going to get Jobe Watsons Brownlow medal back . What a wonderful person. Kb

— Kevin Bartlett (@KevinBartlett29) November 21, 2016

ABL Custodial Services, a subsidiary of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, last month won its civil case against Dank when the banned sports scientist failed to respond to its formal demands that he repay them $87,000. Dank did not respond to the court action.

The County Court on October 4 issued a default judgment against him, which means he has to fork out the cash.

The Herald Sun understands he is the subject of formal efforts to bankrupt him over that debt. A trustee will be appointed to chase him down for the small fortune he owes.

Dank, whose troubles extend beyond the courtroom, survived a drive-by shooting at his Ascot Vale townhouse earlier this year.

Stephen Dank is fighting to clear his name. Picture: Michael Klein

Dank is serving a life ban from all sports that are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code.

Dank defended his absence from Monday’s hearing, saying that a close relative suffering from renal cancer was hospitalised last Wednesday and needed him present in Sydney.

Dank also:

CONFIRMED that he will have the required paperwork to the AFL appeals board by his deadline, set for 5pm this Friday.

EXPRESSED disappointment that the reason for his request that his hearing be adjourned was made public by the AFL appeals board.

MAINTAINED that he has a “strong list of witnesses” to front the hearing.

DISAGREED with the suggestion that he has had “countless” opportunities to clear the 34 past and present Essendon players that were banned for their role in the club’s 2012 doping program that he masterminded.

REJECTED the suggestion that he has form in stringing out such hearings, saying that he has had “robust” discussions with the AFL tribunal system.

CLAIMED that he has made “numerous attempts” to enter discussions with the players and coach that were at the Bombers at the time, and that he has witnesses that can attest as such.