Dank, the man at the centre of the Essendon supplements saga, will join Hawthorn champion Robert Dipierdomenico as the special guests at the Bloods pre-game luncheon on Saturday, July 23 at the QEO.

Dank was given a lifetime ban by the AFL last year, a decision he appealed, and he continues to declare his innocence over the Essendon injection program.

South Bendigo president Rick Townsend said the public interest in the Essendon case attracted the Bloods to Dank.

“We’ve spoken to people around town and the response has been positive and there’s plenty of interest in what he has to say,’’ Townsend said.

“We know that he (Dank) is a polarizing character and a lot of people have been wondering when he’s going to give his side of the story.

“We have an opportunity to have him speak at the club and he’s told us that no topic is off limits.

“If you don’t want to hear him speak you don’t turn up, but we’re confident there’s a lot people out there who are interested in what he has to say. Whether or not you agree with what he has to say is another matter.

“There’s plenty of interest already and we haven’t even got the tickets out yet, so that says a lot to us.”

Townsend said the club had been “pleasantly surprised” in its dealings with the controversial biochemist.

“He’s not charging us a big fee and he’s keen to help out a country footy club,’’ Townsend said.

“In fact, the fee he is charging is far less than what some sporting identities charge to be a guest speaker. The fees you pay for some guest speakers are ridiculous.

“Like all country footy clubs we need to come up with ideas to make money and we saw this as a chance to bring Dank to Bendigo to talk about one of the biggest stories in football history.”

The luncheon is prior to the Bloods clash with current league leaders Golden Square. Tickets will go on sale to the public in the next few weeks. Tickets cost $90, which includes a three-course meal and drinks for three hours.