Responsibility

[jumbo returns 6,703]

Why would the club doctor call the players by their surnames??

[PJ_12345 1,098]

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.

You are unjustifingly attacking another poster. You should be banned.

Edit - I'm talking about deeZee, not me.

Seriously hypocritical.

[heartbeatstrue 57]

If the "suplements" are not banned, whats the problem? Players taking vitamins, and extracts etc... has been going on forever and most people take some level of these things (i.e Multivitamins, cod liver oil, etc...).

If what has been reported is true, the problem is that the club - our club - has lied to the AFL about a very serious matter (ongoing investigation involving Dank, Essendon & performance-enhancing drug use), and about which the truth was always going to surface. I find it hard, almost impossible, to fathom that McLardy and whoever else who knew about the doc's association with Dank would even imagine they could hide it from the AFL and ASADA's investigators.

If it was as you say and there was no illegality, the wise and ethical thing was to fully admit to everything. Not to lie. That is plain stupid.

In my view, if this is what has happened, McLardy must go immediately and in total disgrace.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,654]

If what has been reported is true, the problem is that the club - our club - has lied to the AFL about a very serious matter (ongoing investigation involving Dank, Essendon & performance-enhancing drug use), and about which the truth was always going to surface. I find it hard, almost impossible, to fathom that McLardy and whoever else who knew about the doc's association with Dank would even imagine they could hide it from the AFL and ASADA's investigators.

If it was as you say and there was no illegality, the wise and ethical thing was to fully admit to everything. Not to lie. That is plain stupid.

In my view, if this is what has happened, McLardy must go immediately and in total disgrace.

Unless it was Cameron Schwab who misled both the Board and the AFL. If it was Schwab (and I have no evidence* to support or disabuse this notion), then the decision to part ways with him was the right one, even if other reasons were given.

*Proof that I am not Caroline Wilson or Damian Barrett

[The Chazz 4,077]

Seriously hypocritical.

Mine are justified.

[Damo 3,254]

As B Bob has said, I dont mind being not told the whole truth but to hide the issue from the AFL when it looks 99% sure the AFL would find out anyway is head in the sand stuff.
If McLardy was told, he has to go. If he wasnt told, he must resign.

[PaulRB 6,297]

So the issue is that the club doctor was taking advice from Dank about the use of LEGAL supplements and the ongoing program the CLUB DR was running with the players?

What's to report, Dr use specialists all the time, Dank was/is a specialist in the field of cutting edge supplement use, so the club Dr sought his advice.

Is there an AFL rule stating that club Drs must report all conversations with various specialists as they work to improve the recovery and performance of their team, to AFL HQ?

Ridiculous and only a club on their knees would castigate it's President for this kind of dribble.

[old55 22,864]

the fat controller is not happy...

"As of this morning we will be calling in the doctor, the Melbourne Football Club doctor, together with any other relevant officials based on things we'd been told previously," Mr Demetriou said.

"There appears to be some inconsistencies.

"If there was an association, regardless of whether there has been an employment agreement, I think that would have been relevant to our briefings."

Demetriou did not want to speculate on the ramifications for the club if it was shown to have mislead the AFL about a relationship with Dank.

"This issue of ethics and trust in our code ... is something that you can't play ping-pong with," Mr Demetriou said.

"If anybody hasn't got the message that they must be absolutely truthful ... then there will be consequences."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-to-call-demons-doctor-over-dank-link-20130419-2i3w1.html#ixzz2QrXDCs2w

Holy [censored]!!!

[The Chazz 4,077]

So the issue is that the club doctor was taking advice from Dank about the use of LEGAL supplements and the ongoing program the CLUB DR was running with the players?

What's to report, Dr use specialists all the time, Dank was/is a specialist in the field of cutting edge supplement use, so the club Dr sought his advice.

Is there an AFL rule stating that club Drs must report all conversations with various specialists as they work to improve the recovery and performance of their team, to AFL HQ?

Ridiculous and only a club on their knees would castigate it's President for this kind of dribble.

The issue was that the AFL asked if were linked with Dank in any way, not just any specialist, and we said that weren't (in a nutshell).

[Damo 3,254]

Im worried that the AFL asked the president and he didnt know.

[PaulRB 6,297]

When you say "we", are you saying that Dr Bates specifically said he had no connection with Dank.

If so he told a porky given the text messages.

[PJ_12345 1,098]

Mine are justified.

Lol, like yesterdays?

[Grimes Times 1,278]

What comes out of his mouth on virtually a daily basis and the decisions he makes border on insanity.

BH you haven't been heard of since before round one and now you come out and whack the coach. I don't recall you had any doubts with him before hand? Has your opinion changed since round 1 or have you been consistent in your views and i have just missed them??

[DeeZee 7,301]

Personal attacks, look who is posting this, I don't let it get to me, and I can show the list of lovely PM's I have received from the likes of Range Rover.......suddenly everybody is precious, which I find laughable.........you were posting a rumour, I was debunking it....simple as that, I am allowed to, don't read what I post if you don't like it....and Billy.....sigh

I had to read what you posted because it was a direct response to my post....ha ha laughable..

[Hannibal 5,814]

BH you haven't been heard of since before round one and now you come out and whack the coach. I don't recall you had any doubts with him before hand? Has your opinion changed since round 1 or have you been consistent in your views and i have just missed them??

Over pre-season I've gradually been concerned by a number of things and those concerns have continued to manifest themselves.

I'm not above saying I was wrong and I'm not above changing my mind in the face of overwhelming evidence. The guy is a crackpot.

[[email protected] 101]

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 may let your Doctor prescribe something for an ailment without asking what it is or its side effects or general long term effects , but I certainly don't and wouldn't.....Doctors opinions and prescriptions are not always the be all and end all (as I have experienced more than once) There are good Doctors and not so good Doctors in this country and many times a second opinion should be sought, especially if the ailment is not satisfactorily cured. Why, as you say, should we trust the Club Doctor ??? THe alleged "text messages" aired today on ABC radio's AM program do NOT show the Doctor ina good light...(my opinion)

[Pennant St Dee 12,711]

What comes out of his mouth on virtually a daily basis and the decisions he makes border on insanity.

I take it BH your starting to doubt, Neeld I may be wrong but I believed you were one who felt the changes he was making were necassary and would see us head into the right direction eventually.

I'm not having a shot but after the start we have had I am starting to lose a bit of faith in him, not ready to show him the door as I always knew it would take time just didnt think we would come out this bad.

[old55 22,864]

So the issue is that the club doctor was taking advice from Dank about the use of LEGAL supplements and the ongoing program the CLUB DR was running with the players?

What's to report, Dr use specialists all the time, Dank was/is a specialist in the field of cutting edge supplement use, so the club Dr sought his advice.

Is there an AFL rule stating that club Drs must report all conversations with various specialists as they work to improve the recovery and performance of their team, to AFL HQ?

Ridiculous and only a club on their knees would castigate it's President for this kind of dribble.

I admire your steadfast optimism Paul but I don't think you grasp the importance of our relationship with the AFL, we don't want them as adversary.

Have another look at heartbeatstrue's post http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/33506-responsibility/?p=732581

[Redleg 40,233]

I have reread the club statement for the third time.

If accurate, Dank was never employed by the club. Dank may have discussed supplements with the club Doctor. Dank never personally gave anything to a player. The Doctor supervised the program and after checking, approved all supplements given. There is no allegation of any banned substance being given to an MFC player. The Clinic has confirmed any supplements given were as ordered by the Doctor and given by a registered Nurse. Any connection/discussion with Dank was severed when his position was challenged in the Essendon announcement. There are no no hidden contracts with players. There are no stomach injections alleged. There is no suggestion of any Coaches being injected with banned substances. Everything went through the club Doctor as is now prescribed by the AFL.

The conclusion by many on here is that the club has lied to the AFL when it said that Dank was never employed by the club, or administered substances to players, or prescribed substances to players.

At worst a Doctor has discussed substances with Dank, that he later checked and found were not illegal or banned and in some instances prescribed their use under his supervision.

This is nothing like the Bombers situation,where they can't even say what drugs were injected into player's stomachs 12 months later, let alone secret contracts and Dank heading the program and bypassing the club Doctor..

Where is the LIE in what has been revealed?

[old55 22,864]

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.......

I fear you actually believe this ... I've got a great GP and I fully discuss all his advice with him so I can understand what we're trying to achieve

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,654]

I have reread the club statement for the third time.

If accurate, Dank was never employed by the club. Dank may have discussed supplements with the club Doctor. Dank never personally gave anything to a player. The Doctor supervised the program and after checking, approved all supplements given. There is no allegation of any banned substance being given to an MFC player. The Clinic has confirmed any supplements given were as ordered by the Doctor and given by a registered Nurse. Any connection/discussion with Dank was severed when his position was challenged in the Essendon announcement. There are no no hidden contracts with players. There are no stomach injections alleged. There is no suggestion of any Coaches being injected with banned substances. Everything went through the club Doctor as is now prescribed by the AFL.

The conclusion by many on here is that the club has lied to the AFL when it said that Dank was never employed by the club, or administered substances to players, or prescribed substances to players.

At worst a Doctor has discussed substances with Dank, that he later checked and found were not illegal or banned and in some instances prescribed their use under his supervision.

This is nothing like the Bombers situation,where they can't even say what drugs were injected into player's stomachs 12 months later, let alone secret contracts and Dank heading the program and bypassing the club Doctor..

Where is the LIE in what has been revealed?

Might depend on the specific wording of the query from the AFL. Did they ask "Was Stephen Dank ever employed by the club?" or "Has anyone at the club ever been in contact with Stephen Dank?". Those questions can have completely opposite answers and both be correct.

[[email protected] 101]

I notice that Mark Robinson's team at the HUN are going for the MFC hammer and tongs on this drug fiasco (he'll do anything to get his beloved Essendon out of the headlines). But what worries me most right now is Mark Neeld's extraordinary claim that the MFC and Greater Western Sydney "are pretty much at similar stages in terms of their development and what we're trying to do". Are you kidding me? Talk about setting us up for a loss!

TOO SOFT ???

[Cards13 9,117]

I'm glad we've appointed a full-time, experienced, albeit interim CEO. He's got his work cut out.

Two of his first tasks should be to review the relationships between (1) board and admin and (2) club and AFL.

reason for edit: typo

Don't care about the relationship between us and the AFL. I want onfield results as number 1 priority, the football Dept needs to be fixed before number 2 which is financials/sponsorships/revenue then others.

[PJ_12345 1,098]

I have reread the club statement for the third time.

If accurate, Dank was never employed by the club. Dank may have discussed supplements with the club Doctor. Dank never personally gave anything to a player. The Doctor supervised the program and after checking, approved all supplements given. There is no allegation of any banned substance being given to an MFC player. The Clinic has confirmed any supplements given were as ordered by the Doctor and given by a registered Nurse. Any connection/discussion with Dank was severed when his position was challenged in the Essendon announcement. There are no no hidden contracts with players. There are no stomach injections alleged. There is no suggestion of any Coaches being injected with banned substances. Everything went through the club Doctor as is now prescribed by the AFL.

The conclusion by many on here is that the club has lied to the AFL when it said that Dank was never employed by the club, or administered substances to players, or prescribed substances to players.

At worst a Doctor has discussed substances with Dank, that he later checked and found were not illegal or banned and in some instances prescribed their use under his supervision.

This is nothing like the Bombers situation,where they can't even say what drugs were injected into player's stomachs 12 months later, let alone secret contracts and Dank heading the program and bypassing the club Doctor..

Where is the LIE in what has been revealed?

A+ grade sensationalist churnalism.

The ABC has done a fair bit of back tracking this morning on their breakfast news program stressing that we havent taken anything illegal and also with a bit of pro-MFC statements such as that there is a difference between employing him and consulting him.

[PaulRB 6,297]

I admire your steadfast optimism Paul but I don't think you grasp the importance of our relationship with the AFL, we don't want them as adversary.

Have another look at heartbeatstrue's post http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/33506-responsibility/?p=732581

The AFL have done us no favours in recent times (see Tanking) and the AFL can go and get ...

The Clubs statement:

In response to the 7.30 Report on ABC television the Melbourne Football Club makes the following statement:

• Immediately following the announcement of the investigation into Essendon Football Club, the Melbourne Football Club launched an internal review into its own supplements program

• The review found no evidence that the supplements program at the Club contravened any ASADA or WADA guidelines and no evidence that any player at the Melbourne Football Club had been administered a banned substance at any time

• As previously stated, Stephen Dank did apply for a position at the Melbourne Football Club in 2012 but was not successful. He was known to the Club via this process and to the Club Doctor, Dr Dan Bates

• The 7.30 Report referred to injections. These injections were prescribed by Dr Bates and comprised vitamin B, C and Glutathione (an anti oxidant) injections to some players. These injections were administered by a registered nurse at a medical clinic recommended by Dank. The Club has received confirmation from the medical clinic that the injections administered were as prescribed

• The program also made reference to a cream which is not prohibited under ASADA and WADA guidelines

• The 7.30 Report program made reference to Thymomodulin, Cerebrolysin, Naltrexone, Tribulus and Oxytocin. None of these substances were prescribed by Dr Bates for players at the Melbourne Football Club

• As soon as the investigation was launched into the Essendon Football Club, the Melbourne Football Club instructed all staff including Dr Bates to sever all ties with Stephen Dank which occurred

• The Club’s protocol and governance in relation to all treatment of players is that only the Club Doctor can prescribe and approve treatment to players. This system meant that at no time was Dank able to directly treat players

• Dank and Dr Bates communicated via email, phone and text, regarding supplements (prior to the investigation). Our processes require Dr Bates to consider the appropriateness of any treatment and make a determination as to its suitability at all times, to ensure that the welfare of our players is always maintained

• Every supplement included in the Club’s supplement regime is approved by the Club Doctor and is in accordance with all ASADA and WADA guidelines

• The Club will continue to co-operate with the AFL and its ongoing investigation