Bovine colostrum would make sense to me.

Anyone remember before one of Geelong's Grand Finals (09?) when Bomba Thompson was in charge, and Max Rooke was struggling to get fit for the match, they sent him to Germany to have calves blood injected into his hamstrings?

At the time, I wondered why the hell he would travel all the way there, when surely someone must be able to perform that procedure here in Australia.

The explanation at the time was that it was experimental and this German doctor was one of few that understood the procedure.

And Jonathon Patton has the same treatment during preseason last year, also leaving the country for it.

Could it be that this treatment, and the calves blood itself is the illegal substance?

That, like Rooke and Patton, there is a loophole allowing players to have it (if they are injured), but it is illegal to purchase and administer here?

- That would see the Essendon players actually absolved of any danger of being charged by ASADA, save for the fact they weren't injured -- explains Evans & Hird being vague about whether it was a prohibited performance-enhancing substance.

- It would explain why the Federal police are involved, and why organised crime would be said to be involved, because the procurement of this substance would be the issue.

- And it shows that Robinson and Dank have past experience with the method, in the way ASADA has intended for it to be ok to use.

Robinson directly from his time at Geelong, and Dank as they 2 spoke almost daily during that time, according to Robinson himself in an interview I read (can't recall where now).

In fact, I'd say the bovine colostrum procedure was obviously discussed while at Essendon with Bruce Reid, who left for GWS and then had Patton put in for the same.

I imagine it was the use as unintended, outside of injury recovery, that had Reid seeing differently.

One thing I really want to know -- are the players using this "Lact-Away", and if not, why??

It worked for Manly, it worked for the Eagles, it worked for Vossy and the Lions, and unless it is now prohibited or there is something better out there, I'd be shocked if the players weren't using it.

*** this is all supposition, but educated supposition from what I've read and heard from sources at other clubs.

I think you might mean John Quinn, Bruce Reid is still the Essendon doctor.

Bloody hell. Even if its half right here, this is big.

This is beyond AFL rules. Federal Police gear.

Wilson missed the boat on this story.... She's playing catch up in this artical..... I'd say she's made up half of her version, so it looks like she's on to it..... Wilson is a joke....... Go back to sleeping in the tank wilson...

any way you spin it, this drug scandal has brought the game into disrepute. I honestly cant remember a scandal that could equal the negative effect that this one will have on the public's perception of the game.

Even if the club are cleared by the WADA, i'd expect the AFL to slap the bombers pretty hard

Listening to the AD and AFP presser now. Looks like there has been recognition of multiple clubs and they have recognized multiple players accross multiple codes using PED's.

It looks like there is going to be a further investigation. This is really going to shake up the AFL, NRL and more.

A bit off topic, but: You've got to hand it to journos. Here is the first few sentences by M Robinson today:

UNQUESTIONABLY, James Hird would have asked himself in recent days whether he should resign as Essendon coach.

The answer is no. Resign for what?

That Hird even contemplated the question tells us the weight of responsibility he feels.

Sentence 1 - speculation

Sentence 3 - written as if the speculation was fact.

It may be that I've missed seeing elsewhere (and before this article was written) that Hird had said he had considered reigning, but then sentence 1 is wrong.

WOW it seems like Essendon is not the only team, the presser is going to be huge

I'll happily admit i'm a hypocrite. I'm loving the media trash talking the Bombers, but hated when the shoe was on the other foot!

But part of me feels like the Bombers are accused of a serious breaches which deserve it, where as our 'tanking' investigation is based on a wishy washy 'rule' and is taking place 2-3 years after it happened

This press conference is full on.

No wonder the Essendon Brains Trust looked shattered on tuesday.

They are right in this one.

Essendon coach James Hird linked to convicted drug trafficker Shane Charter

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/essendon-coach-james-hird-linked-to-convicted-drug-trafficker-shane-charter/story-e6frf9jf-1226572461168

Essendon coach James Hird linked to convicted drug trafficker Shane Charter

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/essendon-coach-james-hird-linked-to-convicted-drug-trafficker-shane-charter/story-e6frf9jf-1226572461168

thast a terrible article. Sensational statements followed by disclaimers so they dont get themselves into hot water.

Amazing that AD said that in 2008 the AFL were taking actions to protect the integrity of the game.

1. Performance enhancing drugs.

2. Gambling

3. Salary cap breaching.

amazing Tanking doesn't rate.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/goverment-to-tackle-crime-in-sport/story-e6frf9jf-1226572459574

Geez, this is big!!!!

Amazing that AD said that in 2008 the AFL were taking actions to protect the integrity of the game.

1. Performance enhancing drugs.

2. Gambling

3. Salary cap breaching.

amazing Tanking doesn't rate.

Some may argue tanking comes under gambling. Personally when there was a priority pick, I think gamblers should have taken into account a team's position and goals as well as form in placing a bet. Ditto for that pre-final match when Freo fielded their reserves.

Given the current press conference, it is unlikely that it is a coincidence that Essendon asked the AFL etc to investigate 2 days ago.

Edited February 7, 201312 yr by sue

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/goverment-to-tackle-crime-in-sport/story-e6frf9jf-1226572459574

Geez, this is big!!!!

BomberBlitz will go white hot now..

Is Don

Not good !!

Is Don

Not good !!

Is Don Is Sus...!

Hilarious selection of comments from Essendon supporters in the 'Hun today.

"As a lifelong supporter of the Essendon Football Club I will be tearing up my membership."

"As a 71.y.o lifelong supporter, I am finished with this club. To imagine these practices could go on unnoticed by club officials on the scale it appears to have done beggars belief. 100 years of proud tradition wiped out."

"As an Essendon supporter I think the club should not be able to play for premiership points this year and should be stripped of all draft picks. You do the crime you do the time."

Talk about perception becoming reality!

Oh jeez, i hope no other club gets really caught up in this.... Ok maybe Collingwood

Some may argue tanking comes under gambling. Personally when there was a priority pick, I think gamblers should have taken into account a team's position and goals as well as form in placing a bet. Ditto for that pre-final match when Freo fielded their reserves.

Given the current press conference, it is unlikely that it is a coincidence that Essendon asked the AFL etc to investigate 2 days ago.

I understand where you are coming from.

AD stated they were looking at gambling in 2008.

This is a year prior to Melbourne allegedly Tanking.

If I remember correctly the AFL was more concerned about the line betting advertised on the screens at major grounds.

Quite often I was amazed at odds that were shown on sides that performed poorly in one particular 1/4 only to have a complete form reversal the next 1/4

A bit off topic, but: You've got to hand it to journos. Here is the first few sentences by M Robinson today:

UNQUESTIONABLY, James Hird would have asked himself in recent days whether he should resign as Essendon coach.

The answer is no. Resign for what?

That Hird even contemplated the question tells us the weight of responsibility he feels.

Sentence 1 - speculation

Sentence 3 - written as if the speculation was fact.

It may be that I've missed seeing elsewhere (and before this article was written) that Hird had said he had considered reigning, but then sentence 1 is wrong.

Is that Mark Robinson the one eyed Bomber fan, the guys a filthy low life, if that was us or anyone else for that matter he would want heads on platters, the bald rat doesnt write it as he sees it.

Hilarious selection of comments from Essendon supporters in the 'Hun today.

"As a lifelong supporter of the Essendon Football Club I will be tearing up my membership."

"As a 71.y.o lifelong supporter, I am finished with this club. To imagine these practices could go on unnoticed by club officials on the scale it appears to have done beggars belief. 100 years of proud tradition wiped out."

"As an Essendon supporter I think the club should not be able to play for premiership points this year and should be stripped of all draft picks. You do the crime you do the time."

Talk about perception becoming reality!

I actually find those comments a little sad, because I know how I would feel if it was the Dees in that position.

Is Don Is Sus...!

Is Don ... Is Hood

Report page 17 is dynamite.....

Elite Athletes 15

Widespread use of peptides has been identified, or is suspected by the ACC, in a number

of professional sporting codes in Australia. Although the use of peptides appears to be

more widespread in some major codes, individuals from a number of other sports are also

suspected of using peptides.

Multiple players (in one code) from a number of clubs are suspected of currently using or

having previously used peptides, which could constitute an anti-doping rule violation.16

Some players have also been identified as sourcing peptides for personal use. An instance

of team-based doping, orchestrated by some club officials and coaching staff, has also been

identified.

Apart from the peptide’s anabolic effects, it has been found that injured elite athletes,

particularly players from one sporting code, have been using peptides to assist in

rehabilitating soft tissue injuries.

While the level of suspected use of peptides varies between sporting codes, officials

from one club have been identified as administering, via injections and intravenous drips,

a variety of substances, possibly including peptides. Moreover, the substances were

administered at levels which were possibly in breach of WADA anti-doping rules. This

activity was orchestrated by some club officials and the club’s high performance unit.

While intelligence confirms the use of peptides in major sporting codes, it further suggests

that individuals in a range of other codes may also be using peptides.

It's getting BIGGER.

http://www.crimecommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/organised-crime-and-drugs-in-sports-feb2013.pdf

Multiple codes, multiple sports.

Surely couldn't have been us though right?

Might even explain us falling away seemingly...

Oh jeez, i hope no other club gets really caught up in this.... Ok maybe Collingwood

Looks like more clubs will be caught up in this, if we are then I think we took the wrong stuff judging by performances.

Questions will be asked about the off shore training regimes pre season and during the season, it's all open now. Who knows?