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

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

Surely they can't participate in the finals? Once all the 17 cahunas get together today and voice their disgust I think we will find out very quickly!

[beelzebub 23,383]

Surely they can't participate in the finals? Once all the 17 cahunas get together today and voice their disgust I think we will find out very quickly!

Surely they can't participate in the finals? Once all the 17 cahunas get together today and voice their disgust I think we will find out very quickly!

They wont get far...it humours them whilst they continue their quixote - like rear guard attack.

Better they play now and get penalised later, far more scope then

[mauriesy 7,357]

I've read of claims that Dank has files with records of the drugs given, to whom, quantities and dates ... data that Essendon has either neglected to record, failed to release, or maybe even disposed of.

There seems to be a problem with the power to subpoena Danks' information (if it exists). I thought ASADA might have such a power but so far it hasn't been used.

I'm wondering if Hird (or Essendon) go to the Supreme Court whether the AFL could then subpoena that information and it could be discovered. It could be the danger for Hird and Essendon taking the matter to court. Redleg or Whispering Jack?

On another note, even Lance Armstrong had a loyal band of supporters who refused to believe he was implicated, even after he was guilty. Hird will have the same. I wouldn't put too much store in what they and Bomber Blitz are saying. Most of it's denial, delusion or just plain failure to understand.

[Mono 455]

Thank god Hird is not one of ours.

its all about him (and his survival/reputation).

[DemonWA 3,936]

Hird is delusional. He's still clinging to the no infraction notice and Aod isn't illegal lines. Regardless of this, the evidence is still plenty to pin him for bringing the game into disrepute IMO, and the AFL and their lawyers obviously agree!

The mfc would have had a stronger case over tanking. I see this move by Hird to be akin to a bloke who has gone too far calling other players around a poker table. He's now gone 'all in' with a 2 & 3 and nothing on the flop or turn that helps him. He knows he's rooted but hopes the AFL fold. Hird is desperate

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Caro goes on the attack in her latest Hird article. I don't think she was even this personal during her Schwab attacks!

Good God. She isn't personal at all in the article. She has succinctly captured the events by which James Hird has dug a monumental hole for himself.

She has been spot on during this saga about Hird standing aside in April. The key point is that at some stage EFC need to realise that brand Hird has deviated badly from brand Essendon and they things won't improve for Essendon until they leave Hird to his fate.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

For those thinking that Melbourne FC should have fought City Hall tooth and nail over the tanking saga I hope you are watching carefully. You can't

Particularly if you a guilty of misdemeanours.

My god i just spoke to a Bomber Supporter mate.

He considers the article produced a [censored] weak joke and looks forward to the court case.

They are mad!! Seriously.

I agree. Makes you wonder about the feckless goons on this site who were advocating MFC take the AFL to court over the tanking.

[DemonFrog 1,356]

For those thinking that Melbourne FC should have fought City Hall tooth and nail over the tanking saga I hope you are watching carefully. You can't win.

The Bomber fans are full of bravado according to bomber blitz but they are going to see the biggest smashing in the history of the AFL.

(oh yeah....)

Yes but the MFC did not have to bend over as much as it did.

If you going to get spanked you don't have to make it so easy.

Plus in my view that action set the tone for the entire 2013 season as even the players think bending over is Okay.

[The Great Pretender 476]

Particularly if you a guilty of misdemeanours.

I agree. Makes you wonder about the feckless goons on this site who were advocating MFC take the AFL to court over the tanking.

Is the poster who you were responding to not one of those "feckless goons"?

[Bitter but optimistic 22,249]

I just read Doc Reid's letter in The Age. It certainly raised a boatload of legitimate and reasonable concerns at the time. It's a pity Hird never saw it. !!!!!

[jackaub 1,402]

I don't really understand how the report didn't give evidence that any players were administered illegal drugs, yet the club and administrators were charged. How did they bring the game into disrepute if they didn't do anything illegal? Seems like Essendon have a very strong case if this goes to court, IMO.

Just like we we were penalised but didnt tank

[DemonFrog 1,356]

Just like we we were penalised but didnt tank

The team was just saving itself for a Big 2013 season!

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

The fact that the Bombers are taking this all the way to the top to fight for their name, respect loss and what they feel is unjust against them as a club and WE were fined for something we were found not guilty for, yet we copped it on the chin with our tail between our leagues actually aggravates me a huge amount.
It is so endemic of the MFC weak as wee culture and i am confident that with PJ and Bartlett now in charge this will finally change.

[deanox 9,989]

The fact that the Bombers are taking this all the way to the top to fight for their name, respect loss and what they feel is unjust against them as a club and WE were fined for something we were found not guilty for, yet we copped it on the chin with our tail between our leagues actually aggravates me a huge amount.

It is so endemic of the MFC weak as wee culture and i am confident that with PJ and Bartlett now in charge this will finally change.

disagree. If Essendon didn't fight the afl would have probably found them "not guilty" as well. The point of the charge sheet was "these are all the things we have against you, plead guilty and we'll make it go away".

I don't know what our charge sheet said or what evidence there was but for us to roll over you can bet there would have been more to it that never came out.

Connolly took the fall that Hird won't, and their club will cop it as a result.

[sue 9,145]

I just read Doc Reid's letter in The Age. It certainly raised a boatload of legitimate and reasonable concerns at the time. It's a pity Hird never saw it. !!!!!

But he somehow says he did discuss its contents. Possible of course, but there is a credibility gap widening,

[biggestred 5,140]

for those lawyers out there...

Lance Hird is suing the AFL for denial of natural justice.

I would have thought this is laughable as the rap sheet is just allegations AND he has the right to respond to them to the AFL commission in a few weeks....

[frankie_d 1,471]

Whilst there's a view about that the afl tried to cut a deal with efc, and make the "charges go away", let's not forget that ASADA/WADA are lurking here and they don't do deals. This is so far from over....

Edited August 21, 2013 by frankie_d

[GawnWithTheWind 604]

Heard this morning that the AFL have tried to broker a deal with them (before the dons threaten court action):

From memory it was something similar to:

- 2013 points wiped

- 12 month ban for hird n co

- $2.5 mil fine

- Draft picks taken

Would have been interesting to see if a caretaker coach would have coached for 12 months, or would have they sacked Hird?

[Cards13 9,117]

for those lawyers out there...

Lance Hird is suing the AFL for denial of natural justice.

I would have thought this is laughable as the rap sheet is just allegations AND he has the right to respond to them to the AFL commission in a few weeks....

He was to respond in less time than that but HE wanted more time to respond....... insane.

[Redleg 41,484]

I've read of claims that Dank has files with records of the drugs given, to whom, quantities and dates ... data that Essendon has either neglected to record, failed to release, or maybe even disposed of.

There seems to be a problem with the power to subpoena Danks' information (if it exists). I thought ASADA might have such a power but so far it hasn't been used.

I'm wondering if Hird (or Essendon) go to the Supreme Court whether the AFL could then subpoena that information and it could be discovered. It could be the danger for Hird and Essendon taking the matter to court. Redleg or Whispering Jack?

On another note, even Lance Armstrong had a loyal band of supporters who refused to believe he was implicated, even after he was guilty. Hird will have the same. I wouldn't put too much store in what they and Bomber Blitz are saying. Most of it's denial, delusion or just plain failure to understand.

Yes it can all be subpoenaed either directly or through what is known as Third Party Discovery. Failure can lead to contempt charges and even jail if wilful.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Heard this morning that the AFL have tried to broker a deal with them (before the dons threaten court action):

From memory it was something similar to:

- 2013 points wiped

- 12 month ban for hird n co

- $2.5 mil fine

- Draft picks taken

Would have been interesting to see if a caretaker coach would have coached for 12 months, or would have they sacked Hird?

Interesting to observe this is the middle ground !!

So if the AFL retreat to a position of a bigger fist then the penalties become a little (sci ) more realistic

[sue 9,145]

Heard this morning that the AFL have tried to broker a deal with them (before the dons threaten court action):

From memory it was something similar to:

- 2013 points wiped

- 12 month ban for hird n co

- $2.5 mil fine

- Draft picks taken

Would have been interesting to see if a caretaker coach would have coached for 12 months, or would have they sacked Hird?

If that was true, I'd be p!ssed off (unless the last item was very severe). The 2013 points are meaningless since they are unlikely to win the flag and it is all over. The fine is only 5 times what we got for 'not tanking'.

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

All this makes me reflect back to when Knights was coaching them and Hird was OTC every week playing Mr Innocent observer whilst plotting his takeover, white anting Knights and also the club in the process. He talked to Knights regulary to give him support and advice he used to say. The players became divided, performances were insipid, membership was dropping thus forming ideal conditions for him to takeover. It was a well orchestrated plot and fait accompli. This time he is prepared to bring down the club again and also the AFL for his own selfish needs. "Whatever it takes" is his own personal mantra. He is as ruthless and Machivellian as they come.

Edited August 21, 2013 by america de cali

[biggestred 5,140]

makes you wonder what he got up to during his playing days.

[mauriesy 7,357]

Tim Watson is quoted this morning as saying "So if they (the AFL) know what they (the substances) are, why can't they come clean and tell the players and tell the parents so that we can all get on with our lives and stop being fearful about what they may have been administered?"

Sorry Tim, I thought that was Essendon's responsibility.