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

[Redbeard 500]

There's an article on abc too

[binman 44,857]

One of the biggest beat ups I've ever read. Afl works behind the scene to broker best outcome!!!!! Shock horror. Funny some of the hysterical reactions in this thread actually.

[beelzebub 23,392]

The thing is it points to collusion where there ought to have been transparency

[Bedraggled Dee 336]

The thing is it points to collusion where there ought to have been transparency

The thing is I would expect the AFL to do this n the best interests of the code. IMO this has been leaked by Hirds camp. I have nothing but contempt for that man because like his threat of legal action and his ngoing leaks this is not the best interests of the comeptition, Essendon and the Essendon players.

[daisycutter 30,022]

On a slightly different tack....

Just how does this confidential info and documents get leaked?

was it leaked by someone within the afl or someone in the essendon camp?

and what is their motive/agenda?

seems all three newspapers are claiming an exclusive

[rjay 25,428]

The thing is I would expect the AFL to do this n the best interests of the code. IMO this has been leaked by Hirds camp. I have nothing but contempt for that man because like his threat of legal action and his ngoing leaks this is not the best interests of the comeptition, Essendon and the Essendon players.

It seems to be the case. The man thinks he is bigger than the game and just keeps digging a bigger hole for himself. I hope he never comes back into football, the game doesn't need this type of person.

[Dees2014 2,377]

The newspaper beat up we had to have from the Murdoch press after having been embarrassed by Fairfax almost from day one.

The main story still has to play out and WADA won't accept cosy deals and cover ups. I suspect that the Bombers won't have the benefit of an intermediary to negotiate an outcome for them when that day happens.

I know I said I wouldn't post again, but I can't resist in this instance. There are just too many blind alleys and spin in here.

Let me be very, very clear. It does not matter what Little, Demetriou, McLaughlan, Hird, even Wylie do in terms of deals. They can send Hird off in as many all-expenses paid MBA courses they like in France (believe me it is very cosy and privileged - I have done it, and no doubt would appeal very much to Hird’s well developed sense of entitlement), and they can try and do deals, but it will make zero difference to ASADA. Their findings are totally separate from the machinations of the AFL, Federal Government, and Essendon.

If ASADA squib it as a result of political pressure (and given Abbott’s track record so far he appears to be very susceptible to outside pressures unfortunately), WADA will simply appeal it and it will be eventually over-ridden. This takes time. It could last until 2015 before definitive penalties are presided over by ASADA/WADA, but it is best that it is done thoroughly to ensure it is bullet-proof and this takes a while (just look at the Armstrong case, or any other major criminal case if it comes to that).

When it happens it won’t be pretty and will throw the AFL competition into chaos and make tens of millions of dollars for numerous QCs.

But it will happen. That is why so many spin doctors are feeding at the AFL and EFC troughs. They will be expensive, but ultimately will be a complete waste of money. These people are feeding at the ego feet of very powerful men. They are used to doing deals to get themselves out of legal and moral holes. For them, money solves all issues for them.

It won’t this time. Nothing will save Essendon or Hird.

[old55 23,864]

The newspaper beat up we had to have from the Murdoch press after having been embarrassed by Fairfax almost from day one.

The main story still has to play out and WADA won't accept cosy deals and cover ups. I suspect that the Bombers won't have the benefit of an intermediary to negotiate an outcome for them when that day happens.

Agreed.

[dpositive 1,838]

I find it very interesting that Wylie had "personal" discussions as friend with fitz and Little

If it looks like a duck,quacks like a duck, its probably a duck.

It sure looks like collusion and a direct conflict of interest

If it was an official discussion there would have been greater scrutiny of what was said.

It looks like a cover up and sounds like a cover up. could it be????

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

One of the biggest beat ups I've ever read. Afl works behind the scene to broker best outcome!!!!! Shock horror. Funny some of the hysterical reactions in this thread actually.

Totally agree.

[old55 23,864]

I find it very interesting that Wylie had "personal" discussions as friend with fitz and Little

If it looks like a duck,quacks like a duck, its probably a duck.

It sure looks like collusion and a direct conflict of interest

If it was an official discussion there would have been greater scrutiny of what was said.

It looks like a cover up and sounds like a cover up. could it be????

Cover up of what? The AFL and Essendon negotiated an outcome and an intermediary known to both facilitated it when it stalled. This has been common knowledge for 3 months.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

I know I said I wouldn't post again, but I can't resist in this instance. There are just too many blind alleys and spin in here.

Let me be very, very clear. It does not matter what Little, Demetriou, McLaughlan, Hird, even Wylie do in terms of deals. They can send Hird off in as many all-expenses paid MBA courses they like in France (believe me it is very cosy and privileged - I have done it, and no doubt would appeal very much to Hird’s well developed sense of entitlement), and they can try and do deals, but it will make zero difference to ASADA. Their findings are totally separate from the machinations of the AFL, Federal Government, and Essendon.

If ASADA squib it as a result of political pressure (and given Abbott’s track record so far he appears to be very susceptible to outside pressures unfortunately), WADA will simply appeal it and it will be eventually over-ridden. This takes time. It could last until 2015 before definitive penalties are presided over by ASADA/WADA, but it is best that it is done thoroughly to ensure it is bullet-proof and this takes a while (just look at the Armstrong case, or any other major criminal case if it comes to that).

When it happens it won’t be pretty and will throw the AFL competition into chaos and make tens of millions of dollars for numerous QCs.

But it will happen. That is why so many spin doctors are feeding at the AFL and EFC troughs. They will be expensive, but ultimately will be a complete waste of money. These people are feeding at the ego feet of very powerful men. They are used to doing deals to get themselves out of legal and moral holes. For them, money solves all issues for them.

It won’t this time. Nothing will save Essendon or Hird.

Wow, it's Abbott's fault I should have known there would be a connection.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

From what I have read about this the AFL have sorted it out from their side and it is up to ASADA to determine if they want to take it further.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

One of the biggest beat ups I've ever read. Afl works behind the scene to broker best outcome!!!!! Shock horror. Funny some of the hysterical reactions in this thread actually.

This

[rjay 25,428]

From what I have read about this the AFL have sorted it out from their side and it is up to ASADA to determine if they want to take it further.

I think that's probably about it 'Robbie'.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

On a slightly different tack....

Just how does this confidential info and documents get leaked?

was it leaked by someone within the afl or someone in the essendon camp?

and what is their motive/agenda?

seems all three newspapers are claiming an exclusive

This one.

To embarrass the commission and deflect some culpability.

I wonder if there is word that ASADA is making moves.

[daisycutter 30,022]

This one.

To embarrass the commission and deflect some culpability.

I wonder if there is word that ASADA is making moves.

why not someone at the afl with a grudge against ad or mf or gm

when you say essendon do you mean the club or hird?

does this really deflect culpability from ess? to me it just puts them backm in the spotlight.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

why not someone at the afl with a grudge against ad or mf or gm

when you say essendon do you mean the club or hird?

does this really deflect culpability from ess? to me it just puts them backm in the spotlight.

Firstly I am absolutely guessing.

Secondly I would think Essendon might have some face to gain by trying to portray that the AFL has governance issues of it's own. There is definitely some bitterness at Windy Hill toward the AFL and Demetriou. That may be enough motivation on it's own.

Maybe they think that if they are going down they are taking Andy and co with them.

I could well be wrong, but as you say there is a reason and target for the "leak".

[old dee 24,084]

was only a matter of time before all this flared up again

it is going to get a lot messier than anyone ever imagined

2013 was just the entree'

Eat [censored] Essendrug

So you don't like them h_h

[biggestred 5,311]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-12-04/demetrious-letter-to-the-clubs

andy D goes BANG

[Dees2014 2,377]

Totally agree.

The AFL, Essendon, ASC and whatever mover and shaker they like to broker a deal with behind the scenes, and employ 1000 QC's and spin doctors, it will make no difference.

You see, this is no longer a domestic australian sporting issue. This has become a matter of principle for WADA. At the recent international WADA conference, they spent almost half a day on the Essendon/AFL/NRL doping issues. The reason for this is that all local WADA affiliates have challenges in enforcing the international WADA codes on local sporting bodies, particularly with local wealthy football (in whatever form it is) codes. Apparently WADA affiliates have a continuing problem because nearly all these codes try and evade their legal and moral responsibilities in the areas of drugs because they are used to doing deals to get out of their responsibilities, and often have strong local political connections.

The purpose of the WADA discussion on this was to use the Australian case in the AFL/NRL to lay down the processes for all WADA affiliates to uphold the law in the face of incredible local power, both political and financial.

The world is watching this outcome. It has long ago been taken out of the hands of the local powerbrokers, and the federal government.

For our international prestige as a transparent, law abiding, and just country we can not afford to squib this, no matter how much some might like us to.

Essendon are still stuffed, Paul Little.

You know the person who understands this best? Caroline Wilson. I know many will scoff, but CW is a first class investigative journalist, and these sort of situations are meat and drink to pros like her.

[Redleg 42,184]

Chapman said he had been guaranteed by Essendon that the controversy had been dealt with, and that players would no longer be affected.

Read more: Paul Chapman unfazed by Essendon's supplements scandal

From an Age article on Paul Chapman. Seems like the Bombers know exactly what WADA/ASADA have decided (or so they think).

[monoccular 17,760]

Wow, it's Abbott's fault I should have known there would be a connection.

Probably not...there would have been an "exclusive" on the A(LP)BC by now and Tony Jones would have set up an audience to question him about it.

[beelzebub 23,392]

Chapman said he had been guaranteed by Essendon that the controversy had been dealt with, and that players would no longer be affected.

Read more: Paul Chapman unfazed by Essendon's supplements scandal

From an Age article on Paul Chapman. Seems like the Bombers know exactly what WADA/ASADA have decided (or so they think).

It certainly bemuses me to see just how arrogantly ignorant Messendon are. They are so used to a world that they deem under their spell that it all but reminds me of the The Emperors New Clothes. So used are they to being a big wheel in this town that it has never occurred to them that there is a bigger pond with bigger fish.

Theres an oft coined phrase " They just don't get it" and it so applies to this. I have no doubt they consider themselves the harassed, indeed the victims in all this. How dare anyone intimate wrong doings. Icarus didnt listen either.

[beelzebub 23,392]

From what I have read about this the AFL have sorted it out from their side and it is up to ASADA to determine if they want to take it further.

There is no IF