RUGBY LEAGUE
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Manly coach Geoff Toovey has maintained his stance that the NRL club have nothing to worry about over the ASADA investigation, saying he's glad Darren Hibbert has reportedly agreed to be interviewed by the anti-doping body.
Speculation is mounting the NRL could announce sanctions today, with Cronulla's 2011 supplements program the issue most closely examined.
NRL chief executive David Smith has been consulting with ASADA officials in Canberra before today's ARL Commission meeting, after which it's speculated an announcement could be made.
The link between Cronulla and Manly throughout the investigation has been their past connection with sports scientist Stephen Dank and Hibbert, a supplements sales representative associated with Dank.
During the 11-month drugs in sport saga several Manly players have reportedly been interviewed by ASADA.
However, the club has consistently asserted their program has been clean.
Toovey said yesterday he's confident nothing's changed.
"We're all really positive here. We've got great systems in place and we've got great people in place as well, so we haven't got a problem," Toovey said.
"It's gone very quiet actually over the past couple of months. [The game] is keen to get to an outcome which has just been floating around the ether.
"Every rugby league follower and fan wants something to happen.
"I don't really care what he [Hibbert] has to say really. I'm glad he's coming forward and is telling whatever it's he has to tell. I have no problems with that."
Despite the damage the NRL has sustained this year, Toovey is confident the game will bounce back regardless of any findings and punishments announced.
"I think it already has," he said. "I'm a great believer that we've all got a duty to look after the game as a whole and that's all we do here at Manly and we're hoping things work out well for whoever is involved.
"As long as the truth comes out and we can get on with our business."
At training yesterday, Manly star Steve Matai said the playing group were looking forward to the conclusion of the saga.
"We're sick of hearing about it really and I just hope everything gets sorted," he said. AAP