Bombers scandal: charged, <redacted> and <infracted>

[John Crow Batty 8,886]

Well done. It's especially the case when the word has "lack of" in front of it.

Unfortunately, persons or organisations of genuine integrity are sometimes subjected to unreasonable and unsubstantiated attacks in the public domain.

The word "integrity" is also particulary overused and abused by persons (in relation to themselves or their organisations) like politicians, big business leaders, community leaders, journalists, media moguls, commentators and others in fields where there is the potential for a lot of grey between black and white. I would put the likes of Demetriou and Eddy in this category. The more they mention the word the more "lack of" they seem to have.

[Crompton's the man 660]

Alas methinks they protest too much

but one has suspicion that in the end it is ....

" much ado about nothing "

B. Flagstaff

[Chelly 846]

"Oh What a Tangled Web We Weave When First We Practice to Deceive"

W. Scott

[Redleg 42,039]

The boy stood on the burning deck,

His feet were full of blisters ...

[jnrmac 20,302]

The boy stood on the burning deck,

His feet were full of blisters ...

I thought his pocket was full of crackers?

[Whispering_Jack 31,267]

Francis Leach adds his views on the situation as ASADA continues to come under fire Drugs in sport: One year on, its just one big joke but, whilst the length of time taken to complete the investigation is a source of frustration to many, I don't believe ASADA is under an obligation to allow this to be played out publicly any more than does the ACC whose investigation into organised crime and the importation of illegal drugs prompted all this.

Every once in a while we read about a major bust netting $millions of illegal drugs - these are often the product of lengthy investigations by crime authorities and nobody bats an eyelid. But because the subject matter involves prominent sporting clubs and their employee players we demand to be informed before the investigations are finalised. There may well be good reasons why this should not be the case.

[Redleg 42,039]

14 people in the AFL Integrity department, and one in the Melbourne office of ASADA.

[monoccular 17,697]

Francis Leach adds his views on the situation as ASADA continues to come under fire Drugs in sport: One year on, its just one big joke but, whilst the length of time taken to complete the investigation is a source of frustration to many, I don't believe ASADA is under an obligation to allow this to be played out publicly any more than does the ACC whose investigation into organised crime and the importation of illegal drugs prompted all this.

Every once in a while we read about a major bust netting $millions of illegal drugs - these are often the product of lengthy investigations by crime authorities and nobody bats an eyelid. But because the subject matter involves prominent sporting clubs and their employee players we demand to be informed before the investigations are finalised. There may well be good reasons why this should not be the case.

Well stated WJ.

A wise man once said to me, as I agitated for an immediate response to a complex question: "Do you want the quick answer, or the right answer?"

[monoccular 17,697]

14 people in the AFL Integrity department, and one in the Melbourne office of ASADA.

Do they need so many as there are so many areas in question?? Scheduling, tribunal and MRP, equalisation, drafts and salary caps, three strikes policy etc etc etc

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

14 people in the AFL Integrity department, and one in the Melbourne office of ASADA.

Gives you an indication why the early part of the investigation was done jointly by the AFL and ASADA.

ASADA don't have the resources to investigate one club matter let alone two concurrently ( EFC and Cronulla)

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Do they need so many as there are so many areas in question?? Scheduling, tribunal and MRP, equalisation, drafts and salary caps, three strikes policy etc etc etc

Given the potential sources of game corruption, drug taking and other illegal activity trying to penetrate the game, the question really should be do they have enough resources to properly police these matters.

[Sir Why You Little 37,341]

Francis Leach adds his views on the situation as ASADA continues to come under fire Drugs in sport: One year on, its just one big joke but, whilst the length of time taken to complete the investigation is a source of frustration to many, I don't believe ASADA is under an obligation to allow this to be played out publicly any more than does the ACC whose investigation into organised crime and the importation of illegal drugs prompted all this.

Every once in a while we read about a major bust netting $millions of illegal drugs - these are often the product of lengthy investigations by crime authorities and nobody bats an eyelid. But because the subject matter involves prominent sporting clubs and their employee players we demand to be informed before the investigations are finalised. There may well be good reasons why this should not be the case.

I agree WJ but i think the public have issues with a black cloud still hanging over Essendrug going into the 2014 season.

It is most irritating but ASADA must not compromise this.

[Whispering_Jack 31,267]

I agree WJ but i think the public have issues with a black cloud still hanging over Essendrug going into the 2014 season.

It is most irritating but ASADA must not compromise this.

How about the world cycling public who believed for more than a decade the Lance Armstrong was clean?

14 people in the AFL Integrity department, and one in the Melbourne office of ASADA.

There are a lot more ASADA staff in Sydney and the organisation also has access to legal advice (aside for the recently appointed judge) but that figure obviously explains the dilemma and the fact that the investigation appears to have become Sydneycentric - WADA may not believe fanciful tale of two cities.

Masters makes some good points here and in particular the question why the investigation has barely touched Dank's involvement at Gold Coast is particularly vexing, especially given the AFL's involvement in the early part of the investigation and the fact that the AFL has such a stake in the Suns becoming successful.

[sue 9,233]

I like the phrase about Dank in Masters' article:

"after a regime of vial and error"

The pun on 'trial and error' is good, but I wonder if he also intended a pun on 'vile' which describes Essendon's treatment of its players accurately.

[biggestred 5,266]

great article from masters!

[binman 44,683]

In today's article a full page spread by Robinson in the hun about the palaver. Like Leach focusing on the length of time this is taking and the lack of answers (including a final swipe at the AFL - specifically the CEO and commission chairman - about the so called secret deal with Wylie).

I just don't get how anyone, let alone a journalist would seriously have thought this would not take a really long time, given the complexity of the issue, the resources at ASADA's disposal and the precedent of any number of other investigations into performance enhancing drugs - both here and overseas. Where ASADA have been a bit stupid i reckon is not making this clear.

By the by i can't believe the hun made Robbo head footy writer. Perhaps he's a good bloke but he is simpy a woeful writer and to think he is the heir to Sheehan is an insult to Mike

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Agree Binman on Robbo.

I don't think journalists or the public could comprehend just how long such things take.

Only cycling and aths fans have any real exposure to the drug testing phase.

[beelzebub 23,390]

There is a great irony on claims by Murdoch media companies that other organizations are secretive, lacking integrity or are biased.

you had me at this..

how those tappings going ol' Rupe

[Little Goffy 14,791]

I wonder... does anyone else think maybe the reason people are impatient and cynical about the ASADA process could have something to do with AFL HQ's often knee-jerk and highly political responses to issues? Or their cultural lack of transparency, fiefdom-building bureaucrats, and blanket-cover spin efforts?

The fish rots from the head.

[Return to Glory 8,477]

Francis Leach adds his views on the situation as ASADA continues to come under fire Drugs in sport: One year on, its just one big joke but, whilst the length of time taken to complete the investigation is a source of frustration to many, I don't believe ASADA is under an obligation to allow this to be played out publicly any more than does the ACC whose investigation into organised crime and the importation of illegal drugs prompted all this.

Every once in a while we read about a major bust netting $millions of illegal drugs - these are often the product of lengthy investigations by crime authorities and nobody bats an eyelid. But because the subject matter involves prominent sporting clubs and their employee players we demand to be informed before the investigations are finalised. There may well be good reasons why this should not be the case.

Whispering, what about the maxim that justice must not only be done but be sen to be done? I'm at a loss to pinpoint how Essendon have been brought to task.

[binman 44,683]

Whispering, what about the maxim that justice must not only be done but be sen to be done? I'm at a loss to pinpoint how Essendon have been brought to task.

Really? The bombers got smashed with the penalties they received

[rumpole 537]

Whispering, what about the maxim that justice must not only be done but be sen to be done? I'm at a loss to pinpoint how Essendon have been brought to task.

If you're at such a loss, have a look at their own internal report and look at the charges laid against them. So far, they've been lucky as far as I can see.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Really? The bombers got smashed with the penalties they received

You are kidding.

The penalties to date have been the least of Essendon's worries. A minor cosmetic touch up.

The lack of legal standing of AFL rules in the Courts and the threat of drawn out legal battles means that the AFL has given them a slap on the wrist.

Hird is still being paid $1m a year and will be back coaching ...apparently. This years coach Thompson had no idea as performance coach about the supplement program....and got a light financial touch up. And the Hird hero worshipping good Dr Reid is back at work as usual.....

For the sake of the players good health I hope ASADA can piece together what went on in the lab and those who should have been brought to account are punished and removed from the game. But I am not confident that will happen.

[Blistering 545]

On a lighter note, ASADA's CEO Aurora Andruska writes to all sports fans (at least I think its on a lighter note).

[TRIGON 4,796]

"Hird will return a better person" ???

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-chairman-says-hird-will-return-a-better-person-20140207-327l8.html