Let me open with this. I have always admired Hird, a great player, decent human being and wished we had such a champion at our club.

My gut instinct tells me the Essendon Football Club tried to be cutting edge with all this supplement stuff, however my gut instinct also tells me that The Essendon falls within the Too Big To Fail scenario.

The Evans family are powerful in AFL circles, so is the Hird family.

The current AFL CEO was appointed by the AFL Commission - Evans Snr was on the Commission.

Current AFL Commissioner Kelty is very close to Hird and Evans and gave counsel to Hird in recent days.

My gut instinct tells me a deal has been done and the EFC will get a slap over the wrist.

Hird is a demigod in AFL circles and nothing will happen to him and he knows this. Forgive me for been a tad cynical about all this. Hird and the EFC are not bigger than the game itself but the outcome will show the opposite.

Finally I reckon I am not the only one who thinks that this EFC group of players are surprising many with their amazing fitness levels over the past 2 years. Make what you will of that. I smell rats everywhere at this club.

Spot on Soidee, I have similar thoughts to you the Goldenboy will not be touched neither will Bomber or Evans. AFL need a strong Essendon and it would be to their detriment if they penalise them.

They drink their own bathwater down there, even if they are guilty they'll think they're above it and deny, deny deny.

i agree on all points

the AFL is too gutless and brand concious to suspend Hird and the players and they will get a fine exactly the same as ours

I think the AFL have done a deal with ASADA to ensure this happens

Let me open with this. I have always admired Hird, a great player, decent human being and wished we had such a champion at our club.

My gut instinct tells me the Essendon Football Club tried to be cutting edge with all this supplement stuff, however my gut instinct also tells me that The Essendon falls within the Too Big To Fail scenario.

The Evans family are powerful in AFL circles, so is the Hird family.

The current AFL CEO was appointed by the AFL Commission - Evans Snr was on the Commission.

Current AFL Commissioner Kelty is very close to Hird and Evans and gave counsel to Hird in recent days.

My gut instinct tells me a deal has been done and the EFC will get a slap over the wrist.

Hird is a demigod in AFL circles and nothing will happen to him and he knows this. Forgive me for been a tad cynical about all this. Hird and the EFC are not bigger than the game itself but the outcome will show the opposite.

Finally I reckon I am not the only one who thinks that this EFC group of players are surprising many with their amazing fitness levels over the past 2 years. Make what you will of that. I smell rats everywhere at this club.

While I understand your concerns the fact of the matter is this isn't something that Essendon, the AFL and even ASADA can just sweep under the rug.

Even if the AFL convinced ASADA to impose a slap on the wrist type penalty (if something breaching the rules did occur) that penalty is answerable to WADA.

If WADA aren't affraid to keep pushing and going after the likes of Lance Armstrong, I don't think Essendon and the AFL will give them to many sleepless nights.

ASADA wont be doing a deal with anone

you conspiracy theorists have no idea

They may be able to protect Hird but there will have to scapegoats if an offense has been commited. Thus far Hird doesnt seem to have committed any offense beyond vanity and given that Dank cant be forced to give evidence I doubt that they will be able to ping Essendon with an international penalty. Just a variant on the tanking inquiry really.The main difference being the attitude of the gutter press.

While I understand your concerns the fact of the matter is this isn't something that Essendon, the AFL and even ASADA can just sweep under the rug.

Even if the AFL convinced ASADA to impose a slap on the wrist type penalty (if something breaching the rules did occur) that penalty is answerable to WADA.

If WADA aren't affraid to keep pushing and going after the likes of Lance Armstrong, I don't think Essendon and the AFL will give them to many sleepless nights.

Tall D and Hogans

I appreciate your insights into the power of WADA. But what if the relevant sporting body does it's best stifle the investigation? Wasnt this what kept Creepy Lance safe for so long?

Demetriou has made a few noises about ensuring that nobody will be protected. More power to his arm, but I'll be keeping my nostrils open for a few ratty smells myself. All this Golden Boy Hirdie stuff is making me puke. What sort of Golden Boy injects pigs brains into his players or needles himself in the guts when he's feeling run down?

Who was the ex bomber who won the catering contract at Etihad ( and Waverley I think) for overpriced shite? Evans?

Tall D and Hogans

I appreciate your insights into the power of WADA. But what if the relevant sporting body does it's best stifle the investigation? Wasnt this what kept Creepy Lance safe for so long?

Demetriou has made a few noises about ensuring that nobody will be protected. More power to his arm, but I'll be keeping my nostrils open for a few ratty smells myself. All this Golden Boy Hirdie stuff is making me puke. What sort of Golden Boy injects pigs brains into his players or needles himself in the guts when he's feeling run down?

You need to remember the ace in the hole: the NRL. They won't sit back and let the AFL get away with it when they've been slapped. Hird may be covered by some fall guys at Essendon, but someone will pay for this.

Trouble is, they're run by half wits.

I can't quite understand how Hird developed such a golden reputation. If I were managing him, I wouldn't let him near a microphone.

Some of his better moments have included criticising an individual umpire (labelling him 'disgraceful'), undermining an Essendon coach to the point of making his job untenable, denying that he wanted that coach's job, and then taking that coach's job. Now we have a new scandal, in which his performance at the press conference did the EFC no favours.

For a golden boy, he has quite a rap sheet.

While I understand your concerns the fact of the matter is this isn't something that Essendon, the AFL and even ASADA can just sweep under the rug.

Even if the AFL convinced ASADA to impose a slap on the wrist type penalty (if something breaching the rules did occur) that penalty is answerable to WADA.

If WADA aren't affraid to keep pushing and going after the likes of Lance Armstrong, I don't think Essendon and the AFL will give them to many sleepless nights.

ASADA wont be doing a deal with anone

you conspiracy theorists have no idea

...and that's it in a nutshell.

The AFL aren't the ones investigating, nor are they the ones who will decide the punishment if it ends in that.

ASADA are MUCH more powerful than the AFL, and it's absolutely silly to think the AFL will influence this investigation at all.

So many conspiracies to buy into when you're an MFC supporter, how about we get back on the infamous "spa gate".

I can't quite understand how Hird developed such a golden reputation. If I were managing him, I wouldn't let him near a microphone.

Some of his better moments have included criticising an individual umpire (labelling him 'disgraceful'), undermining an Essendon coach to the point of making his job untenable, denying that he wanted that coach's job, and then taking that coach's job. Now we have a new scandal, in which his performance at the press conference did the EFC no favours.

For a golden boy, he has quite a rap sheet.

He's a Canberran ponce with a foppish red bob and he needs a good Rodgering from George"The Animal " Steel.

Whenever you see something in life that is not right, the underlying reason behind it is always to do with money. Hird and the EFC getting a harsh punishment is not good for the AFL's money. End of story.

Whenever you see something in life that is not right, the underlying reason behind it is always to do with money. Hird and the EFC getting a harsh punishment is not good for the AFL's money. End of story.

You're right, it's not but there's nothing they can do about it. End of story.

Whenever you see something in life that is not right, the underlying reason behind it is always to do with money. Hird and the EFC getting a harsh punishment is not good for the AFL's money. End of story.

No, the AFL have no say in any of this, end of story.

Cutting a deal...

AFL=yes ASADA= No chance in hell. They aren't motivated by money and have no vested interest in a team failing or succeeding. If the AFL try to cut a deal with them, they will get the short shrift. That's what should make Essendon worried.

Conspiracy theory or not....it will be folly to underestimate the power of some personalities at AFL house.

Ranks are closing around the protected.

All evidence that may have existed is no longer and those involved would have had plenty of time to cover their tracks

Conspiracy theory or not....it will be folly to underestimate the power of some personalities at AFL house.

Ranks are closing around the protected.

All evidence that may have existed is no longer and those involved would have had plenty of time to cover their tracks

Mate, if you think any powerful AFL "personalities" are going to influence ASADA/WADA at all, you are sorely mistaken.

Mrrry take. On this. The bommebyr have. Not taken banned drugs what. They. Have done is they took drugs that not have been.l. aproved for human use they should be fined for this.but what could. Happen is wads might. Find that. The drugs. Are prohibited. If they are then they might. Be in. Trouble. They. Should have had the drugs. Approved. First before takeing them.

Mrrry take. On this. The bommebyr have. Not taken banned drugs what. They. Have done is they took drugs that not have been.l. aproved for human use they should be fined for this.but what could. Happen is wads might. Find that. The drugs. Are prohibited. If they are then they might. Be in. Trouble. They. Should have had the drugs. Approved. First before takeing them.

Mrrry take. On this. The bommebyr have. Not taken banned drugs what. They. Have done is they took drugs that not have been.l. aproved for human use they should be fined for this.but what could. Happen is wads might. Find that. The drugs. Are prohibited. If they are then they might. Be in. Trouble. They. Should have had the drugs. Approved. First before takeing them.

Wow. Still just getting used to that iPad are you champ?

I'm not a conspiracy theorist. It would be just typical though for a club like Essendon to get away with cheating.....again!