Hird asked about using banned substance: Robinson

Essendon's one-time high performance manager Dean Robinson has made another stunning claim about the events that led to the club being investigated by anti-doping authorities.

Robinson says Bombers coach James Hird asked him about using a banned substance.

Robinson was once one of James Hird's most trusted lieutenants.

He claims the coach wanted his players bigger and stronger - and was willing to push the boundaries.

In Channel 7’s exclusive interview, The Inside Man, with Robinson Luke Darcy asked, “Did he ever directly say to you or Stephen Dank or anyone to your knowledge that we should look at substances that are illegal?”

“He raised Hexarelin with us, yes," Robinson replied.

Robinson says he warned Hird and sports scientist Stephen Dank on the dangers of the substance telling them, "as far as a know, Hexarelin has Ghrp-6 in it ... Therefore it is a banned substance.”

“I said ‘we are not touching it, we are not going there' and shut it down.”

Hexarelin has been on the banned list for players since 2004 - but coaches are free to use it.

The drug stimulates the body's production of growth hormones, improving strength, muscle mass and helping with fat loss and recovery.

In another development, Seven News has learned Robinson told ASADA players were injected for several weeks before they signed the much talked about consent forms.

During a 14 hour grilling - he told investigators players raised issues with coaches last January, expressing concerns about what they were being injected with.

Robinson then convened a meeting of the entire list, which led to the consent forms being signed.

As Essendon went into damage control, Dank also promised to talk. Like many in the football world - he's waiting for more bombshells.

"We"ll let Dean get through the interview tonight, mate give Dean the respect of his interview and then we'll have a chat tomorrow. How's that?" Dank said.

THE INSIDE MAN: A SEVEN SPECIAL REPORT airs on Wednesday July 31 on Channel 7.

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