40.

Essendon won't be able to field a team.

We should all understand that Infraction notices will not be issued any time soon. What will be issues are "Show Cause" notices - in others words show cause as to why infraction notices should not be issued. This could well end up in the Supreme Court which could take months, and I'm sure Essendon will use every delay tactic in the book in order that the infraction notices (and therefore players rubbed out) are not issued during the season, no doubt with the tacit agreement of the AFL.

This will make no difference to our June fixture, apart from the psychological affect on those players under the gun. This still has a long way to go.

We should all understand that Infraction notices will not be issued any time soon. What will be issues are "Show Cause" notices - in others words show cause as to why infraction notices should not be issued. This could well end up in the Supreme Court which could take months, and I'm sure Essendon will use every delay tactic in the book in order that the infraction notices (and therefore players rubbed out) are not issued during the season, no doubt with the tacit agreement of the AFL.

This will make no difference to our June fixture, apart from the psychological affect on those players under the gun. This still has a long way to go.

One question... is a show cause notice indicative of a player being guilty of the crime and the infraction notice the equivalent of a sentence being handed down? In other words, is the show cause notice simply giving the "guilty" player an opportunity to put a case to ASADA as to why they should be treated with leniency when it comes to the sentencing?

The reason I ask is because of the AFL's response to Collingwood in the Marley Williams case prior to him being given a suspended sentence: "The AFL could argue that Williams, as he has already been found guilty, be suspended by the Magpies.".

The aftermath of this will be unprecedented in player movement - if the Bombers lose a dozen or more players, the AFL is going to have to introduce a in-season short term contract system using FA, or a large 'train on squad' using FA, of state league players for the Bombers to limp to the FA/Trade period at the end of the year.

I hate Essendon as much as the next person. However this will be a sad day in Australian sport.

It might be sad but if it happens it will also be a day on which drug cheats are caught and punished so there should be no need for tears.

I've said it before but the people we should feel most sad for are the likes of Raelene Boyle who worked her arse off to reach the pinnacle of her chosen sport only to have two or three Olympic gold medals stolen from her by drug cheats. That's who I feel sad for.

D-Day looming for up to 40 Bombers

ASADA issuing bans will not mark the end of the sorry saga

It might be sad but if it happens it will also be a day on which drug cheats are caught and punished so there should be no need for tears.

I've said it before but the people we should feel most sad for are the likes of Raelene Boyle who worked her arse off to reach the pinnacle of her chosen sport only to have two or three Olympic gold medals stolen from her by drug cheats. That's who I feel sad for.

D-Day looming for up to 40 Bombers

Absolutely spot on Jack, I'm sick of seeing clubs get ahead because they have really good chemists.

It's time they cleaned this out once and for all, it will have some short term pain for some but long term gain for all; you can't just say, "hey you cheated and that's naughty, don't do it again". There has to be penalties so no one is under any illusion that you can do it and get away with it.

My source says they've been ready for weeks, and that the weird bit about it from his end is that the govt. are interfering with it now.

They will go.

I thought it would be interesting to see how many players from 2012 are still with Essendon, with other clubs or not playing anymore:

Still with the club

1. Jobe Watson
2. Brent Stanton
3. Leroy Jetta
4. Jason Winderlich
5. David Zaharakis**
6. Courtenay Dempsey
7. Tayte Pears
8. Jake Melksham
9. Michael Hurley
10. Dyson Heppell
11. Jake Carlisle
12. David Myers
13. Alex Browne
14. Ariel Steinberg
15. Cale Hooker
16. Elliott Kavanagh
17. Paddy Ryder
18. Dustin Fletcher
19. Jackson Merrett
20. Kyle Hardingham
21. Nick O'Brien
22. Heath Hocking
23. Ben Howlett
24. Michael Hibberd
25. Tom Bellchambers
26. Lauchlan Dalgleish
27. Mark Baguley
28. Cory Dell'Olio
29. Travis Colyer

Playing for other clubs

1. Stewart Crameri – Bulldogs
2. Scott Gumbleton – Fremantle
3. Angus Monfries – Port Adelaide

Not playing AFL anymore

1. Ricky Dyson
2. Brent Prismall
3. Mark McVeigh
4. Sam Lonergan
5. David Hille
6. Henry Slattery
7. Luke Davis
8. Alwyn Davey
9. Kyle Reimers
10. Michael Ross
11. Nathan Lovett-Murray
12. Anthony Long

I worked out a few things:

• I have too much spare time on my hands
• I should really pick up another hobby
• I heard golf is good, I might try that
• That is a lot of players still on their list... if even 50% got banned for 2 years the club would be completely stuffed

If there are 'Show Cause' and then Infractions handed out, Does the ban start from that date or would they be back dated?

My source says they've been ready for weeks, and that the weird bit about it from his end is that the govt. are interfering with it now.

They will go.

No coincidence that Essendon's recent #1 ticket holder was also Treasurer in the last Liberal Federal Government! Boys Club!

Tick tick tick........

I thought it would be interesting to see how many players from 2012 are still with Essendon, with other clubs or not playing anymore:

...

Yes, that means a minimum of 25 of their current playing group are to be issued "show cause" notices. I assume that if this is to drag on in the courts, at the point where the notices are issued it could only be done on a player by player basis? In which case, I would very much doubt the club could afford to act.

No coincidence that Essendon's recent #1 ticket holder was also Treasurer in the last Liberal Federal Government! Boys Club!

I think the government only delayed it to have the new boss (ex cop) to come in and deal with the issues when they are made public. He can talk about protracted investigations from a position of strength having dealt with them for years etc etc

I look forward to the bombers going down especially how arrogant they are...

They just introduced Dr Reid into their hall of game. They knew this was still to come out and wouldn't you wait another year to see the results. Instead they have thumbed their nose at the competition so I hope they get there right whack including hird, Reid etc

The other thing that will be interesting is if the club gets penalties...

Under the rules if two or more players go from a team then the team can be stripped of points booted from the comp etc etc

As all the players look like going it was a club based doping program and the stripping of point last year for corporate governance issues should be only small fry...

They won't but essendon should be kicked from the comp for two years

The fan has been rolled in and ASADA are about to tip a bucket of something that resembles Hird into it.

Remember where you are when the show cause goes out, it will be like JFK - Lady Di - 911.

The day that Essendon gets neutered. Can't wait.

About time we got into the serious stuff.

No wonder Vlad is leaving so soon.

40 notices.

Sleep well Essendrug.

About time we got into the serious stuff.

No wonder Vlad is leaving so soon.

40 notices.

Sleep well Essendrug.

You are too kind. I hope they don't sleep at all. Cheats.

Disagree with whoever said it will be a sad day

it will be a hilarious day and a great moment for Australia as we weed a bunch of disgusting drug c heats out of the system

Suffer Essendon. Suffer hard you cheating pricks.

I seem to remember that we were sailing very close to the wind around the same time!! Are we definitely in the clear?

I seem to remember that we were sailing very close to the wind around the same time!! Are we definitely in the clear?

Trengove possible topical application to foot AOD9604. A text from Dank to MFC doctor recommends its use. No evidence recommendation followed.

You are too kind. I hope they don't sleep at all. Cheats.

Oh i was being very sarcastic MD...i hope they toss and turn in anxiety for months and months...slow burn to meltdown.

I thought it would be interesting to see how many players from 2012 are still with Essendon, with other clubs or not playing anymore:

Not playing AFL anymore

1. Ricky Dyson
2. Brent Prismall
3. Mark McVeigh
4. Sam Lonergan
5. David Hille
6. Henry Slattery
7. Luke Davis
8. Alwyn Davey
9. Kyle Reimers
10. Michael Ross
11. Nathan Lovett-Murray
12. Anthony Long

My position is recorded earlier so there is no point revisiting it but I'll be happy when those that oversaw and instigated this disaster are punished.

If in fact the AFL end up issuing infraction notices to 40 players the law suits will really start flying I would have thought. In the first instance you have players making claims against the club for loss of earnings which may well go beyond the (anticipated) 2 year ban. Secondly will be any claims for damages by the players no longer on AFL lists. Heavens knows but the legal profession will dine out on this for years. At least it's good for someone.

Who pays for it all? While the tribal nature of supporters will rejoice in the pain inflicted on the Essendon football club the costs may well have a significant impact on the AFL and the trickle down effect to the MFC and other smaller clubs may be significant.

IMO this is not good news. It's shocking for football, it's terrible for the players injected and it's devastating for the thousands of normal Essendon supporters who are as angry about this as us although I know that notion will fall on barren ground here.

A sad sad day for footy.

the sad sad day for footy is that people cheated.

the punishments need to be dealt out so that others do not cheat.

no punishments would be a sadder day - it would effectively be condoning cheating.

Turn your sadness into anger at the pricks responsible for this mess. Hird and Dank deserve life bans from professional sport if found guilty.

My position is recorded earlier so there is no point revisiting it but I'll be happy when those that oversaw and instigated this disaster are punished.

If in fact the AFL end up issuing infraction notices to 40 players the law suits will really start flying I would have thought. In the first instance you have players making claims against the club for loss of earnings which may well go beyond the (anticipated) 2 year ban. Secondly will be any claims for damages by the players no longer on AFL lists. Heavens knows but the legal profession will dine out on this for years. At least it's good for someone.

Who pays for it all? While the tribal nature of supporters will rejoice in the pain inflicted on the Essendon football club the costs may well have a significant impact on the AFL and the trickle down effect to the MFC and other smaller clubs may be significant.

IMO this is not good news. It's shocking for football, it's terrible for the players injected and it's devastating for the thousands of normal Essendon supporters who are as angry about this as us although I know that notion will fall on barren ground here.

A sad sad day for footy.

This will be an absolute nightmare.

I agree, the architects who thought of the strategy, went down the performance drugs road and administered it should be the ones to be punished: Hird, Thompson, Cocoran, Reid, and Evans

Whilst the players shouldn't have been naive, they weren't the ones who orchestrated it.

The club has already been hit with a $2m fine but what about WorkSafe, legal costs, and claims from the players (as you mentioned).

I would't say a sad day. I'm not happy that 20+ players might face a 2 year suspension, which will most likely end all of their careers, not to mention that a club might fold.

But at the same time I'm not sad. If they did cheat, then they should face the repercussions.

If infraction notices get issued (and players suspended) then if Essendon and AFL have any sense they would settle all claims for loss of earnings/damages etc by players out of court thereby eliminating extended, drawn out legal proceedings and the need for lawyers.

ASADA won't let it get to infraction notices stage if they don't have a watertight case in which case Essendon would have to think long and hard before going to court.

You would have to think that if watertight infraction notices get issued there isn't much wriggle room for Hird/Essendon. They could claim the the 'rogue' scientist ie Danks was the problem and then they would have to sue him.

Now that would be a sight to see and we could sit back and watch the fireworks!