"Cronulla captain Paul Gallen is one of 10 current NRL players to accept an ASADA deal which would result in a 12-month ban, back-dated to November 2013 for their involvement in the supplements program at the club in 2011.
"The players, who are set to be immediately stood down by the NRL, agreed to the deal on Friday morning after receiving assurances from the World Anti-Doping Agency that the terms would not be appealed by the international body."
Read more:
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...oping-bans-20140822-10728y.html#ixzz3B5DwoCT3
Meanwhile on the AFL side of things:
"ASADA has tabled with AFL chief executive, Gillon McLachlan, a six-month sanction for Essendon players, on the condition they accept they took performance-enhancing substances in 2011-12.
"If Essendon wait until the Federal Court's Justice John Middleton brings down his decision in the club's case that a joint AFL/ASADA investigation was unlawful, the offer will be withdrawn.
"ASADA is willing to accept Essendon players were doped and duped and therefore qualify for a WADA "no significant fault" discount, taking the standard two-year ban for use of prohibited substances down to 12 months."
Read more:
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...month-bans-20140821-106qv2.html#ixzz3B5ElrrjA
The differences seem to be that whereas the NRL & Cronulla (the Club as opposed to the players who stalled for all they were worth right up until yesterday) pretty much went along with ASADA, Essendon chose to challenge the legality of ASADA's investigation; and that Essendon's offending was both more extensive & prolonged, several months v a few weeks in the case of Cronulla.