National Rugby League To Look Into Claim That Cronulla Has A Secret Bank Account

National Rugby League CEO Dave Smith asked the league's integrity unit "to investigate claims of a 'high performance unit' bank account operated by Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan," according to the AAP. Flanagan has reportedly said that the account was used to "buy gym equipment -- with money raised through functions and golf days -- because the football department was not funded well enough to be competitive." Smith said on Wednesday that he had spoken to NRL COO Jim Doyle, who "oversees the integrity unit," as well as Cronulla CEO Steve Noyce and Chair Damien Keogh about the issue. Smith: "I don't know the details of the account. What we need to do is have a good look at what actually has happened, have a look at -- if the account existed -- what it was used for, and all the things you'd expect the investigation team to do" (AAP, 8/21).