Parents back Suns culture
The parents of prominent Gold Coast pair David Swallow and Brandon Matera have no concerns Karmichael Hunt's arrest and reports of cocaine use within the club could extend to their sons, saying they have full faith in the team's culture and their sons' character.
Their confidence was yesterday echoed by Suns skipper Gary Ablett, who said he did not think any of the club's current players would be embroiled in Queensland's cocaine mire.
The scandal deepened yesterday when former Gold Coast Titans NRL player Ashley Harrison and a 28-year-old man were served with notices to appear in court by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission.
The second man, who is overseas, is also believed to be a former Titans player.
WA products Swallow and Matera have been part of the Suns set-up since they were 17.
But with Hunt facing charges for cocaine supply, reports this week claimed there was a 'cocaine ring' at the Suns as far back as 2012 and that some players had used the drug during the off-season, placing the club under enormous scrutiny.
No current players have been spoken to by police and Ian Swallow said he would be surprised if anyone was involved.
"They've done very well with the playing list and the way they've got them out there and the way they've cared," he said.
"The support team there have done a great job in bringing those boys along.
"They've done a pretty good job with our kid and hopefully they've got nothing to be concerned about."
Wally Matera, a former West Coast and Fitzroy rover, told _The Weekend West _ he had nothing but praise for the club, which his son had recently signed with for another three seasons.
"We've got no concerns at all," Matera Sr said.
"I've spoken to him and there's no problem there.
"He's really happy there and they've been pretty good to him.
"No one's got any idea what's really happening until it comes out."
Meanwhile, Ablett said the investigation into ex-teammate Hunt had come as a surprise.
Hunt, now with the Queens- land Reds, is facing four charges of supplying cocaine along with several members of the Titans.
"I've been at the club for four years and I've seen nothing like that going on," Ablett said.
"It was a real shock to me personally, to the football club, but we have no more information at this stage and (will) just let the investigators do their work."
with AAP
