The revelations about communications between Stephen Dank and the Melbourne Club Doctor, Dr. Dan Bates over its supplements programme does not constitute proof of any breach by the club of ASADA and WADA guidelines. The club has issued a statement into revelations on the subject which was aired on last night's ABC 7.30 Report and can be read here.

However, the response is totally unsatisfactory in that it does not address why members and supporters were misled about the club's association with Dank after the Essendon doping allegations came to light in February. At the time, the club informed the world that Dank had made an unsuccessful application for a position at the club. What we and apparently the AFL weren't told then was that an association nevertheless continued in some way through Dr. Bates which only came to an end when the Essendon bombshell was dropped.

The withholding of this information from members and supporters is totally unacceptable and it is imperative that those responsible be relieved of their duties at the club as soon as practicable.

While we can't be certain that the association between Dank and Bates is in any way responsible for the team's poor form to date this season, it would be fair to say that by "coming clean" and taking full responsibility, the powers that be at the club would set an example to the playing group of the respect their supporters, who can only stand by and watch the events unfold with increasing bewilderment, deserve from the club. Only if this is done, can the club expect their loyalty in return.

And if there is any doubt about where the chain of responsibility ends, I direct you to the sign that once sat on the desk of United States President Harry S. Truman and read, "The Buck Stops Here".

I have always had some problems about the lack of clarity and honesty from this administration.

There are obviousley huge problems inside the club and the members and supporters are not being told the truth.

On top of that:

McLardy on December 3:

1. "We were able to take prudent steps in our financial management at that time, although challenging as it was, the actions taken meant that we could maintain a sound financial base and manage our cash flows effectively despite the critical issues we faced."

2. "The players and coaches head to Darwin later this week for a training camp that will test their mettle, both physically and mentally. This is an important investment in this group made possible by the improved financial position of the club."

McLardy on February 14:

3. "We have dealt with financial setbacks in the past, and we will meet this challenge."

Melbourne FC on April 18:

The Board is the first to acknowledge that today the Club as a whole, both on and off the field, has not met the goals we set 4 years ago. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.

Few questions I have:

1. What "goals" did the club set?

2. If the club has a "sound financial base" and has managed our "cash flows effectively despite the critical issues we faced", then how is it that it "has not met goals"?

They are seriously losing the plot. It's all lies, spin.

"I did not have sexual relations with that woman"

Someone or some people have tried to be clever, unfortunately what they have been is stupid. As Whispering Jack touched on surely the way this issue has been handled along with a litany of other factors has impacted player morale. Unfortunately to me so many of our decisions whether they are right or wrong seem to be fuelled by panic rather than clear thinking.

Geez, maybe Hazy's insights about Boards and responsibilities were right after all........

Geez, maybe Hazy's insights about Boards and responsibilities were right after all........

When did Hazy enlighten us about withholding information about the club doctor's association with Dank after his job application was rejected?

Anyway, I don't believe anybody has disputed the basic idea that boards need to be honest with their membership, have they?

That's what I'm addressing here.

Gee WJ, thought you would be above "the guilty until proven innocent' scenario, this is the Club Doctor......we go to the doctor with an ailment, he prescribes something for us, we don't ask what it is usually do we , we trust him, because he is a doctor.......read the Club statement, it has fully exercised it's duty of care...........nice to see at least three threads open this morning for the conspiracy theorists to play with.

Dank ran a commercial business, what he is doing by leaking this stuff, is to prove the stuff he 'flogged' was not illegal, wish people could see this, get past the sensationalism......why do you think Hird is so confident

If Mclardy ran his commercial business this way he would be broke.

Gee WJ, thought you would be above "the guilty until proven innocent' scenario, this is the Club Doctor......we go to the doctor with an ailment, he prescribes something for us, we don't ask what it is usually do we , we trust him, because he is a doctor.......read the Club statement, it has fully exercised it's duty of care...........nice to see at least three threads open this morning for the conspiracy theorists to play with.

Dank ran a commercial business, what he is doing by leaking this stuff, is to prove the stuff he 'flogged' was not illegal, wish people could see this, get past the sensationalism......why do you think Hird is so confident

You're a strange rooster that's for sure.

I think the biggest issue that most of us, and the media have, is the fact that we denied any association with Dank, other than rejecting him for a job. It's not about what was injected (or what cream was rubbed in), that's a player welfare concern some supporters have, it's the fact that one of those text messages even asks for a player to call Dank, yet our claims earlier this year say the exact opposite.

Gee WJ, thought you would be above "the guilty until proven innocent' scenario, this is the Club Doctor......we go to the doctor with an ailment, he prescribes something for us, we don't ask what it is usually do we , we trust him, because he is a doctor.......read the Club statement, it has fully exercised it's duty of care...........nice to see at least three threads open this morning for the conspiracy theorists to play with.

Dank ran a commercial business, what he is doing by leaking this stuff, is to prove the stuff he 'flogged' was not illegal, wish people could see this, get past the sensationalism......why do you think Hird is so confident

That Dank is the leaker is beyond dispute, but not the point.

The point is the club's first statement was nothing more or less than weasel words designed to wriggle around the truth.

John Howard could not have drafted anything better.

It is a classic case of a partial truth designed to create an entirely false impression.

Gee WJ, thought you would be above "the guilty until proven innocent' scenario, this is the Club Doctor......we go to the doctor with an ailment, he prescribes something for us, we don't ask what it is usually do we , we trust him, because he is a doctor.......read the Club statement, it has fully exercised it's duty of care...........nice to see at least three threads open this morning for the conspiracy theorists to play with.

Dank ran a commercial business, what he is doing by leaking this stuff, is to prove the stuff he 'flogged' was not illegal, wish people could see this, get past the sensationalism......why do you think Hird is so confident

You've missed his point about being misled and withholding information about the involvement with Dank. Not being transparent, which I stated in another thread.

Which is why the AFL have hastily asked for the club to clarify themselves due to the lack of transparency on such an important issue/investigation.

If the clubs internal review did not reveal the association with Dank through the club doctor, that is where responsibilities lie. That is where the buck stops.

I wonder if Chris Connolly made a joke about us needing to take drugs to improve?

The Disappointment that I feel inside me with my Club has never been stronger !

We as supporters have been asked to put up with a lot and keep the FAITH!!

Well seems at least on the surface of it our club has not done that and kept faith with us as supporters!

All those involved in Instigating this process regardless of their guilt or not

have mislead us as supporters which to me is even more unforgiving!!

Our club needs a cleanout not of coaches or players but of our Administration and the Board

Is it any wonder our club is floundering, to me this cleanout needs to come sooner rather then latter!!

You're a strange rooster that's for sure.

I think the biggest issue that most of us, and the media have, is the fact that we denied any association with Dank, other than rejecting him for a job. It's not about what was injected (or what cream was rubbed in), that's a player welfare concern some supporters have, it's the fact that one of those text messages even asks for a player to call Dank, yet our claims earlier this year say the exact opposite.

The other question is why was Dank being helpful to the Doc? Are they friends, was Dank doing it out of the goodness of his heart? Have any of our players met him, that is picked up supplements etc from Dank on the advice of someone at the club, and or was Dank present when anything was administered. If no great, one less thing to worry about, but if yes, it puts the players in an invidious position.

I expect the players to be made to run out in red and blue clown suits in Sunday.

I have always preferred to focus on the footy, and leave club politics to others, but I have to say that the off-field situation at the MFC is becoming untenable.

You've missed his point about being misled and withholding information about the involvement with Dank. Not being transparent, which I stated in another thread.

Which is why the AFL have hastily asked for the club to clarify themselves due to the lack of transparency on such an important issue/investigation.

If the clubs internal review did not reveal the association with Dank through the club doctor, that is where responsibilities lie. That is where the buck stops.

Nobody has any proof as to what occurred, what answer we gave the AFL, maybe this is why they have the requested for clarification, who was present and who did what to who, has anybody seen the 'real' text messages not the transcripts, I haven't

This is mass hysteria, did we actually deny association with Dank in the first place, the statement issued yesterday says we instructed everybody to sever ties, again do we know what was said, no, only what was 'reported' Of course we have a direct link ffs, we interviewed him for a job, this can be twisted a thousand ways.

As James Hird says, can't wait for the opportunity to let the truth out

I just have this gut feel that something is not right behind the scenes.

The supposed clashes between Neeld and Todd Viney for example, what were they about?

I just have this gut feel that something is not right behind the scenes.

The supposed clashes between Neeld and Todd Viney for example, what were they about?

Stood next to them were you so you know it happened, thought you would know what was said, a disagreement between a Coach and a recruiter over who should be recruited, never, shouldn't happen, sack them both...........................let's start a thread on this as well, worth at least another 15 pages

Stood next to them were you so you know it happened, thought you would know what was said, a disagreement between a Coach and a recruiter over who should be recruited, never, shouldn't happen, sack them both...........................let's start a thread on this as well, worth at least another 15 pages

I'm sick of your crap pal. DeeZee asked a question that he/she obviously had heard a rumour about but didn't know if their was anything to it. They didn't make the statement as fact, so enough of the smart arse comments.

Excellent summation WJ.

This President and most of the board has been in power since 2009.

The Chairman was either DC or the Chairman for that time.

Since then they have:

sacked CS

Were in control at 186

Reappointed CS the next day

sacked the coach after 186

negotiated a $500 000 fine for not tanking

Reappointed CS for 3 years and then sacked him 9 months later

Produced a team that is probably the worst side in 50 years bar none

Produced the greatest ever losing margin at the MCG.

Now we are now mired in the drugs fiasco

Right now this club is a shambles, irrelevant to the competition and the laughing stock of the league.

Not a pretty picture.

Time to Go Don and and all board members should put themselves up for re election at the next AGM.

Edited April 18, 201312 yr by old dee

Nobody has any proof as to what occurred, what answer we gave the AFL, maybe this is why they have the requested for clarification, who was present and who did what to who, has anybody seen the 'real' text messages not the transcripts, I haven't

This is mass hysteria, did we actually deny association with Dank in the first place, the statement issued yesterday says we instructed everybody to sever ties, again do we know what was said, no, only what was 'reported' Of course we have a direct link ffs, we interviewed him for a job, this can be twisted a thousand ways.

As James Hird says, can't wait for the opportunity to let the truth out

The club itself aren't even denying the Doc had ongoing contact with Dank.

Responsibility, accountability and transparency. 3 required ingredients that this club is sorely lacking.

Gee WJ, thought you would be above "the guilty until proven innocent' scenario, this is the Club Doctor......we go to the doctor with an ailment, he prescribes something for us, we don't ask what it is usually do we , we trust him, because he is a doctor.......read the Club statement, it has fully exercised it's duty of care...........nice to see at least three threads open this morning for the conspiracy theorists to play with.

Dank ran a commercial business, what he is doing by leaking this stuff, is to prove the stuff he 'flogged' was not illegal, wish people could see this, get past the sensationalism......why do you think Hird is so confident

You are trying to defend the indefensible.

Gee WJ, thought you would be above "the guilty until proven innocent' scenario, this is the Club Doctor......we go to the doctor with an ailment, he prescribes something for us, we don't ask what it is usually do we , we trust him, because he is a doctor.......read the Club statement, it has fully exercised it's duty of care...........nice to see at least three threads open this morning for the conspiracy theorists to play with.

Dank ran a commercial business, what he is doing by leaking this stuff, is to prove the stuff he 'flogged' was not illegal, wish people could see this, get past the sensationalism......why do you think Hird is so confident

Perhaps you need to read my opening paragraph. I'm not imputing guilt on the club for anything other than being complicit in misleading its members on this issue.

I'm not interested in previous alleged indiscretions which may or may not have occurred or be part of various people's personal agendas or vendettas but this clearly crosses a red line as to how the club should be conducted.