Ah, the old Shane Woewodin excuse. Either way, I'm pretty sure (taking away the Brownlow effort) AA selection & a B&F in a GF side is an example of "topline" football.

Not really sure what that is but I think Woewodin was also lucky to win the Brownlow despite having a very good year.

As far as 2003 goes, Buckley was in his prime as a receiver who had the football world at their pinacle of blowing wind up his ass especially in the media. In any case I'll concede 02/03 as about the period where he was his most prominently recognised as a player as they are so close anyway. It doesn't change the fact that by 05 he was not at his "peak".

gotta laugh... apparently having players of the ilk of Neeta out doesnt count for nought...or Robbo even.. Greeny . not th ebiggest fan myself of Riv..but lets throw him in for good measure. Hardly saw Beamer in 08.. etc etc etc.

I will avoid the star for star equation.. ( as really neither side has many ) ....but its the cohesions etc of the teams.. We had bugger all...some weeks couldnt really get together a decent starting 22...and we were tanking all the time ?? like hell we were. We were struggling to play footy let alone win.

Rocca - 4 goals in a Grand Final.

Tarrant - An AA selection in 03.

Shaw - 2nd in Sydney's B&F in 09.

Fail on your part.

You are a filth supporter that say's it all.

seems we're not the only ones raising an eyebrow...lol

Dons believe Ball behavior warrants scrutiny

The AFL more likely to heed their concerns than ours. Ought to be interesting

seems we're not the only ones raising an eyebrow...lol

Dons believe Ball behavior warrants scrutiny

The AFL more likely to heed their concerns than ours. Ought to be interesting

Like I've said, CEO Ian Robson is right in saying from the moment Luke Ball signed on in the ND, it's game on. Or he is "in the game now." Despite his personal preferences.

Anyone can pick him up. As rpfc has stated time and again, if the Dees consider him the best available at pick 18 or whatever......you pick him.

[

Anyone can pick him up. As rpfc has stated time and again, if the Dees consider him the best available at pick 18 or whatever......you pick him.

seems we're not the only ones raising an eyebrow...lol

Dons believe Ball behavior warrants scrutiny

The AFL more likely to heed their concerns than ours. Ought to be interesting

With all due respect I would love to hear their line of argument ... "because we cant get Luke ball with the pick we wanted to take him with - we now want to complain." my words not his.

hahaha - they know the score if they really want him - hello! pick 10 boys ... cough it up or shut up.

Edited November 19, 200915 yr by hangon007

Like I've said, CEO Ian Robson is right in saying from the moment Luke Ball signed on in the ND, it's game on. Or he is "in the game now." Despite his personal preferences.

Anyone can pick him up. As rpfc has stated time and again, if the Dees consider him the best available at pick 18 or whatever......you pick him.

I'm glad we stayed out and left it for Robson to say it.

Being unable to screen a player medically before there is a draft is of concern to me If

what I've heard is correct regarding Ball refusing access to clubs. You should have a right

to access the product if it's on the open market.

I'm glad we stayed out and left it for Robson to say it.

yes.... more and more I like the way that the MFC have played this... They're getting quite good at cards ...now !!

Being unable to screen a player medically before there is a draft is of concern to me If

what I've heard is correct regarding Ball refusing access to clubs. You should have a right

to access the product if it's on the open market.

i concur 100%. if you nominate for any draft you either need to make yourself available for all clubs or none.

my suggestion is that perhaps the afl should do a medical report on all players planning on entering the draft which can be circulated to any interest clubs.

while some may view this as an invasion of privacy, it is unfortunate but it is part of the game. As said before, the player chose to play for the afl, not for the vfl or the sanfl or the super14 etc and by entering the draft he has signed a contract to say he will play for whoever selects him.

off topic a bit:

if a player was selected in a draft and then elected to sit out the compulsory 2 seasons for whatever reason, could the player be liable for financial compensation to the said club?

i concur 100%. if you nominate for any draft you either need to make yourself available for all clubs or none.

We aren't living in communist Russia. Ball is free to talk or not to anyone.

It is also stupid to compare a draftee with no AFL experience to Ball, a player who can dictate his salary in the draft.

Edited November 19, 200915 yr by The Old Xaverian

Interesting to see that article about Robson questioning Ball's draft tampering has now been removed from the AFL website...

We aren't living in communist Russia. Ball is free to talk or not to anyone.

It is also stupid to compare a draftee with no AFL experience to Ball, a player who can dictate his salary in the draft.

You're argumentative and nothing more.

Betray your heritage and contribute something worthwhile for a change.

Interesting to see that article about Robson questioning Ball's draft tampering has now been removed from the AFL website...

Very interesting.

Although it is still there.......Under "Essendon"...: -

http://www.bombersfc.com.au/tabid/6477/def...px?newsid=87284

Very interesting.

Although it is still there.......Under "Essendon"...: -

http://www.bombersfc.com.au/tabid/6477/def...px?newsid=87284

yes, but hidden away in the depths were few non-essendon supporters dare to tread...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...81/default.aspx

Still on the AFL site under Mcphee's picture look closely

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tab...81/default.aspx

Still on the AFL site under Mcphee's picture look closely

Oh bugger. Seems i was completely wrong.

So much for catching the AFL trying to cover up a mess...

everyone loves some conspiracy/controversy

Oh bugger. Seems i was completely wrong.

So much for catching the AFL trying to cover up a mess...

You were about to launch a search for candidates to lead a Royal Commission Inquiry. Weren't you ?

You were about to launch a search for candidates to lead a Royal Commission Inquiry. Weren't you ?

No. I was going to head it myself!

Just thought it was funny to catch the AFL seemingly turning the focus on possible draft-tampering, when they'd prefer that to happen so free agency could be held at bay.

Its a lose-lose scenario, albeit a minor one, but I just took great pleasure in the idea of Demetriou and Anderson scrambling around in damage control.

Unfortunately it was all in my head.

No. I was going to head it myself!

Just thought it was funny to catch the AFL seemingly turning the focus on possible draft-tampering, when they'd prefer that to happen so free agency could be held at bay.

Its a lose-lose scenario, albeit a minor one, but I just took great pleasure in the idea of Demetriou and Anderson scrambling around in damage control.

Unfortunately it was all in my head.

2 points for trying. Understand the scrambling around part by AA and AD. They wouldn't want it to blow up in their face would they ?

Betray your heritage and contribute something worthwhile for a change.

I reckon your asking for the impossible there

If Ball is draft tampering - then Eddie and his mates from Broady and Xavier are in it up to their armpits

id love to see the bombers go "[censored] it lets take him with 24 anyway"

this would crack me up for months.

We aren't living in communist Russia. Ball is free to talk or not to anyone.

It is also stupid to compare a draftee with no AFL experience to Ball, a player who can dictate his salary in the draft.

Why should Ball be any different to any other player with or without AFL experience if he enters the ND? Same rules for each person under a democracy.

You're argumentative and nothing more.

Betray your heritage and contribute something worthwhile for a change.

Correct

i concur 100%. if you nominate for any draft you either need to make yourself available for all clubs or none.

my suggestion is that perhaps the afl should do a medical report on all players planning on entering the draft which can be circulated to any interest clubs.

while some may view this as an invasion of privacy...

Its against the law for the AFL to do that. What should be done is that upon entering the ND, that a player agrees upon the request of a Club to issue the medical records. The club would be bound by privacy and AFL sanctions not to issue them. The alternative is that the player agrees to submit himself for a medical report at each Club's expense.

if a player was selected in a draft and then elected to sit out the compulsory 2 seasons for whatever reason, could the player be liable for financial compensation to the said club?

What is the contractual loss?? If a player is prepared to sit out the compulsory 2 years, he should be prepared to sit out longer. The AFL should blackball the player for good.