Geelong_Indy_2013-02-08

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Geelong

Friday, 8 February, 2013

Connecting people and communities

GROUPS HAVE OUR REEFS IN STITCHES – P3

HALF CENTURY OF LIFE SAVING AT ‘BANNY’ – P8

Champ returns in fine Fettell to defend title By MICHELLE HERBISON URBAN Geelong Long Course 2012 champion Clayton Fettell is training hard in preparation to defend his title at this weekend’s Geelong Multisport Festival. Fettell performed ruthless swim and bike legs in last year’s competition to take the title ahead of Leon Griffin and Tim Berkel. Fettell said he would need to be on the top of his game this year to again contend with both strong athletes. The challenging course includes a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycle and a 21.1km run at Geelong’s picturesque waterfront. “The race is in the middle of my Ironman block, so to defend is going to be very tough against this stacked field this early in a very long season,” Fettell said. Sunday’s Geelong event would also serve as preparation for an Ironman Asia Pacific Championship that Fettell plans to complete at Melbourne in March. “I’m looking at just being the fittest person I can be. My run volumes are high and I’m feeling good for Geelong.” Geelong Multisport Festival event organisers USM Events expect nearly 4000 participants in this year’s weekend-long festival. USM Events’ Courtney Akrigg said festival entries would be open until sold out. “There’s an enormous demand, with local accommodation houses at capacity,” she said. Geelong Multisport Festival features a range of events for all ages and abilities, including a Geelong Independent Superkidz Triathlon and a Target Enticer Triathlon supporting Give Where You Live. More information and entries are available at www.geelongmultisport.com.au.

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Costa: ‘GFC’s clean’ By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Clayton Fettell crosses the line to win last year’s Urban Geelong Long Course championship.

GEELONG Football Club has nothing to fear from a drug investigation engulfing Essendon, according to former Cats president Frank Costa. Mr Costa, who was president when the Cats employed a fitness trainer now embroiled in the investigation, declared Geelong “squeaky clean”. The former Cats trainer, Dean Robinson, is one of two Essendon fitness and conditioning staff at the centre of the AFL and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation into the Bombers. Essendon suspended Robinson after the scandal broke on Wednesday. He was employed at Geelong as strength and rehabilitation manager when Mark Thompson was senior coach. Thompson left Geelong to work at Essendon in controversial circumstances and brought Robinson to the Bombers. Mr Costa said the Cats’ leadership would have prevented any drug issues. “I’m not concerned at all. “The club was strongly run with leaders like Brian Cook and Neil Balme who had a handle on

absolutely everything,” he said. “The place is squeaky clean and that’s the value of the strength of the leadership provided by Brian and Neil.” Essendon this week said its players unknowingly took substances that could be illegal. Players face potential bans of more than two years if found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs. The investigation revolves around the use of supplements called peptides, some of which are legal and act similarly to human growth hormone, used by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong. Geelong released a statement this week pledging to work with the investigation if necessary. “Geelong Football Club can confirm that an individual involved with Essendon Football Club fitness program during the period currently under investigation was also previously employed by Geelong Football Club. “Whilst we have no evidence or information that this individual acted in an improper manner during his employment at the Geelong Football Club, we are ready to cooperate fully with the investigation.”

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