Oh dear Tania more likely

Agree with this, her husband was a coach of a club that had no idea what was being injected into his players. Essendon and James Hird got off easy and I hope WADA go hard on them. Andy should go for on reason he went to soft on Essendon. They should have lost points for 2014 season as well plus Hird should have had an indefinite suspension until the findings of the WADA investigation is concluded on pay, paid by Essendon.

I wonder what Tania would say if her sons where a part of a supplement program like the one headed by her husband.

Oh yeh, I'm sure Jimmy has told Tanya the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Those wanting to see AD gone should be careful what they wish for.

Agree.

How on earth, after all this time, and all the times his name has been written, are there STILL people that have not get figured out that his name is "Stephen Dank"..?!

It just shows my real care factor with regards to the spelling of his name

Yeah, convenient excuse, but I'm not buying it...

Agree with this, her husband was a coach of a club that had no idea what was being injected into his players. Essendon and James Hird got off easy and I hope WADA go hard on them. Andy should go for on reason he went to soft on Essendon. They should have lost points for 2014 season as well plus Hird should have had an indefinite suspension until the findings of the WADA investigation is concluded on pay, paid by Essendon.

I wonder what Tania would say if her sons where a part of a supplement program like the one headed by her husband.

that is an extremely good question dr

Someone should ask her that tomorrow when she gets the paper!

Agree with this, her husband was a coach of a club that had no idea what was being injected into his players. Essendon and James Hird got off easy and I hope WADA go hard on them. Andy should go for on reason he went to soft on Essendon. They should have lost points for 2014 season as well plus Hird should have had an indefinite suspension until the findings of the WADA investigation is concluded on pay, paid by Essendon.

I wonder what Tania would say if her sons where a part of a supplement program like the one headed by her husband.

If Essendon can be believed, she would have no concerns at all. Essendon continues to be adamant that it did nothing wrong and did not inappropriately treat its players. So, if she believes that, why should she be concerned?

On the question of what AD is doing or should be doing, the best advice anybody could give him is to not speak about the matter. When the question first arose about whether James Hird is or isn't being paid, AD should have said he was not prepared to comment because the matter was between the AFL, Essendon and James Hird. Instead, he fed the media machine and has effectively allowed himself to look either ineffectual or unknowing.

On the question of what AD is doing or should be doing, the best advice anybody could give him is to not speak about the matter. When the question first arose about whether James Hird is or isn't being paid, AD should have said he was not prepared to comment because the matter was between the AFL, Essendon and James Hird. Instead, he fed the media machine and has effectively allowed himself to look either ineffectual or unknowing.

That's why I believe he was telling the truth when he said Hird was definitely not being paid. AD is perfectly capable of obfuscating and dodging when he has to, especially if he might end up looking ineffectual or unknowing. He obviously thought it was absolutely clear that Hird would not be paid and was probably shocked to find out he was.

Perhaps a wiser AD might have suspected something when Essendon was arrogant enough to extend Hird's contract.

And now it turns out Ess received $8.4 million in discretionary distributions in the 2012-13 financial year – around $700,000 a month. The AFL are threatening to withdraw money.

Yet ppl in football land whine about the dees getting $1.4m???? Boy there are some inequities and misconceptions about the level of support some clubs get

Oh what a tangled web,,,,

I wonder what the relationship between Essendon and Hird is at the moment. Are they acting together because if they are not Essendon's response will be quite interesting.

The Hirds are a strange lot and aren't behaving rationally. The Hird camp should be shutting up - they might be popular with the Bomber rank and file but are causing inestimable damage to the Essendon brand.

Demetriou has also been wounded by this (as he was by the tanking farce) but again not fatally.

Nevertheless, I think he's on his way out anyway and will leave with a legacy of having built on what his predecessors achieved but with his credibility in tatters.

If he's not careful, he might end up as unpopular as Ross Oakley was at the end of his term, only better paid.

Nevertheless, I think he's on his way out anyway and will leave with a legacy of having built on what his predecessors achieved but with his credibility in tatters.

I can't remember an AFL CEO who the fans liked. It seems every club has a gripe and they direct their anger at the AFL CEO. Oakley, Jackson, Hamilton and on it goes.

I reckon in the corporate world AD would be seen in a completely different light. He's overseen 10+ years of growth, record memberships, record attendances, record TV rights, club expansion, seen off soccer, basketball and rugby as challengers and been in charge whilst club facilities have been brought up to world class standard. He's been a positive decision maker whether you've liked his decisions or not (and I'm not talking petty little issues like rule changes).

He won't have any trouble getting another position and he'll do a good job because whether people like it or not, he's smart.

And now it turns out Ess received $8.4 million in discretionary distributions in the 2012-13 financial year – around $700,000 a month. The AFL are threatening to withdraw money.

Yet ppl in football land whine about the dees getting $1.4m???? Boy there are some inequities and misconceptions about the level of support some clubs get

Oh what a tangled web,,,,

That $1.4 is on top of our discretionary distributions...

I feel like starting a thread with the numbers from the AFL Annual Report...

I will do it later.

I despise Essendon and welcome them getting a whack. However,much of this now appears to be predominantly about the selling of newspapers and QC'S getting a piece of the pie. Beyond this, surely it will eventually disengage rank and file supporters.

The reporting of the last few seasons has shifted away from the game itself and almost every media outlet focuses on and contributes to an endless supply of off field drama. It's not where the game should be headed but you can lay London to a brick that as soon as the drugs saga ends both News Ltd and Fairfax will fill the vacuum with a 'huge' issue.

Edited December 12, 201311 yr by Return to Glory

Andrew Demetriou is doing a fantastic job by every imaginable measurement and will never be sacked.

Our own self interest has been assisted by the little Greek boy made good .

Tania Tird is a real piece of work.

Never seen a stupider statement made from anyone .(present company exempt)

Awesome news-she has now admitted her husband is a cheat and a thief as well as thinking anyone gives a shyte about their battles with the AFL as they receive money to STFU-which they wont.

They should be fully crushed for their vanity and stupidity masquerading as bogan morality.

F off Jim and Tania.

Edited December 12, 201311 yr by Biffen

Andrew Demetriou is doing a fantastic job by every imaginable measurement and will never be sacked.

Our own self interest has been assisted by the little Greek boy made good .

Tania Tird is a real piece of work.

Never seen a stupider statement made from anyone .(present company exempt)

Awesome news-she has now admitted her husband is a cheat and a thief as well as thinking anyone gives a shyte about their battles with the AFL as they receive money to STFU-which they wont.

They should be fully crushed for their vanity and stupidity masquerading as bogan morality.

F off Jim and Tania.

Jesus Biff, rough day?

Jesus Biff, rough day?

Kind of-yes.

But this stupid vain ho spilling her guts on TV was a huge highlight .

With all due respect to Mrs Tird.

I can't remember an AFL CEO who the fans liked. It seems every club has a gripe and they direct their anger at the AFL CEO. Oakley, Jackson, Hamilton and on it goes.

I reckon in the corporate world AD would be seen in a completely different light. He's overseen 10+ years of growth, record memberships, record attendances, record TV rights, club expansion, seen off soccer, basketball and rugby as challengers and been in charge whilst club facilities have been brought up to world class standard. He's been a positive decision maker whether you've liked his decisions or not (and I'm not talking petty little issues like rule changes).

He won't have any trouble getting another position and he'll do a good job because whether people like it or not, he's smart.

Pretty sure I've made the point elsewhere previously about how he's seen in the corporate world and the growth he's overseen. It doesn't necessarily excuse him for a number of examples of poor governance and, in some cases, incompetence. Some might overlook these things, some won't. I heard he's being headhunted for a big gig in the world of tennis and I hope he gets it. Tennis is a sport of which I'm not particularly fond.

http://m.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/james-hirds-wife-tania-says-andrew-demetriou-knew-about-payments-to-suspended-coach/story-fni5f6kv-1226781015902

Oh Dear Andy...

Now come on, it's one woman's opinion.

Take this quote for horsefeathers...

"As of yesterday, Demetriou continued to deny any deal was struck with suspended coach, James Hird. He also insisted, vehemently, that Hird was not being paid while serving that suspension. This is a lie..."

A lie is when one consciously tells a falsehood. If AD did not know Hird was being paid then he has stated something that is factually incorrect, but it is not a lie if he is simply mistaken.

This is where sloppy journos really give me the irrits.

Look at this for what it is: the Hun is totally on side with Hird, just like it was on side with Tony Abbott as opposition leader and you are only going to get the story served up as they want it.

The writer of this piece is just jumping on board for a ride. It means nothing.

I can't remember an AFL CEO who the fans liked. It seems every club has a gripe and they direct their anger at the AFL CEO. Oakley, Jackson, Hamilton and on it goes.

I reckon in the corporate world AD would be seen in a completely different light. He's overseen 10+ years of growth, record memberships, record attendances, record TV rights, club expansion, seen off soccer, basketball and rugby as challengers and been in charge whilst club facilities have been brought up to world class standard. He's been a positive decision maker whether you've liked his decisions or not (and I'm not talking petty little issues like rule changes).

He won't have any trouble getting another position and he'll do a good job because whether people like it or not, he's smart.

Hard gig running the highest rating and most loved game in the country.

You overrate him severely.

The best thing about him is that he's a football socialist, which is the only half decent one.

Andrew Demetriou is doing a fantastic job by every imaginable measurement and will never be sacked.

Our own self interest has been assisted by the little Greek boy made good .

Tania Tird is a real piece of work.

Never seen a stupider statement made from anyone .(present company exempt)

Awesome news-she has now admitted her husband is a cheat and a thief as well as thinking anyone gives a shyte about their battles with the AFL as they receive money to STFU-which they wont.

They should be fully crushed for their vanity and stupidity masquerading as bogan morality.

F off Jim and Tania.

Jesus Biff, rough day?

I strongly suspect that Biff doesn't have, (or at least doesn't wear in public), a black jumper with a red sash and a number 5 on the back!

I can't remember an AFL CEO who the fans liked. It seems every club has a gripe and they direct their anger at the AFL CEO. Oakley, Jackson, Hamilton and on it goes.

I reckon in the corporate world AD would be seen in a completely different light. He's overseen 10+ years of growth, record memberships, record attendances, record TV rights, club expansion, seen off soccer, basketball and rugby as challengers and been in charge whilst club facilities have been brought up to world class standard. He's been a positive decision maker whether you've liked his decisions or not (and I'm not talking petty little issues like rule changes).

He won't have any trouble getting another position and he'll do a good job because whether people like it or not, he's smart.

I wouldn't count soccer out just yet, my opinion is that it will be the number one sport in this country in the not to distant future. I don't want it to happen but it will take gross mismanagement for it not to take the top position.

The AFL is at it's peak now, it really has nowhere to go.

Kind of-yes.

But this stupid vain ho spilling her guts on TV was a huge highlight .

With all due respect to Mrs Tird.

And we FEEL the respect Mr Biff ......

But I suspect the Effndon FC is -like one of those stinking American merchant banks (Fanny Tan?) - too big to fail

Yeah, convenient excuse, but I'm not buying it...

Really?

Maybe I owe you a beer or two if I ever get the chance to get back to Melbourne again

LOL

Edited December 12, 201311 yr by TheBigFrog

Those fawning over Demetriou and suggesting his governance issues/incompetent handling of some of the major issues that are/have confronted the AFL in the past year or two are irrelevant would do well to remember that the game's biggest risk is still very much in play.

A substantial amount of money has been pumped out of AFL coffers to establish two new franchises (at the expense of long standing existing clubs some of who are struggling and might die). The GWS one is being outdone ATM by the new A League franchise and could still fail, at which point the future might see a massive black hole in the AFL fiscal cupboard, doubts about the TV rights bonanza and more potential danger to some AFL clubs.

Not suggesting it will happen but if it does, those who are prepared to ignore the fact that AD was so inept and accident prone over so much that was occurring under his watch won't be so smug about it.

Meanwhile the humiliation of Vlad continues: AFL boss Andrew Demetriou halts Essendon's funding

Hird's ongoing pay arrangements with the club are administered through the league payroll and should have been plainly visible to the AFL.

NRL must be loving this, for so long they have been the red headed step child when it comes to sports admin, they must enjoy the spotlight on AD.