Hirdys tan looks pretty good too

Bit off topic, and I fully agree with Wilson on this, however, while "What Melbourne did ....was disgusting", and yet "Essendon and Hird (are only) damaging to the game."Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/demons-shock--awful-20121102-28ppz.html#ixzz36mtGydbm

Yes, it was truly disgusting that Melbourne followed the same formula adopted by half the clubs in the AFL and endorsed by the AFL CEO of sending players for early surgery when the season was shot, experimenting with players in different positions, bringing in youth even when they might not be quite ready and officials joking around but when a club put thousands of syringes of an unknown substance into its players' veins it's only damaging the game. No shock and awe there at all.

Also off topic, I found this gem in the Footy Almanac article A legacy into which Paul Roos is tapping mentioned on a different thread:-

Then there was the time when larrikin trainer, Dinny Rattray, released his pet snake into the committee room during a selection meeting. The elderly gentlemen of the committee were swift to react, but Checker really took the prize for his immediate response, leaping onto the bar, his cane more bayonet than walking aid.

Not sure if Dinny made any comments about Zulus when he added the adder into the committee meeting but he was obviously starting a tradition of levity at the MFC that stretched for half a century until a po faced journalist and a rogue puritanical regime of AFL hypocrites put an end to the fun.

No such restrictions at the EFC ATM where they can still wave around syringes filled with Mexican jumping juice and do it with impunity.

I'm with Dinny. Bring back the snake!

The AFL is set to show its support for chief medical officer Peter Harcourt ~ League, union back medical director Peter Harcourt

What's important here is that last week the Essendon media cheer squad led by Whateley and Robinson seized on Harcourt's comments that the testing of blood samples at a German laboratory came up with nothing were tantamount to an admission that the 34 players served with show cause notices were off the hook. Whateley followed this up in a similar discussion with Roy Masters on the ABC Offsiders programme in which the fact that the AFL didn't come back to Dank with any results (Masters said the tests were carried out in December 2011) was effectively an indication to Dank that his work was legal.

This article tells us how misguided and deluded the EFC media cheerleaders have become:-

Harcourt revealed the medical officers with Australian anti-doping officials sent Essendon players' drug test samples to Cologne for specific testing in 2012. It is believed the specimens were taken from two Essendon players who were tested for the growth hormone known as GHRP6, a substance later linked with Stephen Dank and Cronulla.

There were only two players tested (we don't know who) and they weren't tested for TB4 or AOD9604.

Someone should mention this to Whateley and ask for a retraction on both of his programmes.

Don't hold your breath.

^^

Remember they were only tested for specific known substances that were it appears not detected.

They weren't (presumably) tested for unknown substances therefore weren't cleared of all potential offences.

As I understand it some of the substances used were not approved for human use which I believe is a WADA offence in itself.

Im really quite bemused at the lengths that the cheer squad are going to muddy the facts and in so doing attempt to co-op public opinion.

In talking to a few acquaintances and some good mates it does strike me how a lot of the public dont actually understand the nitty gritty. Some do , a lot don't. Even my wife thinks I'm maniacally obsessed with this (hmmmm...maybe...) but we here on D land have sought to find out what it really is about. Dare I say Caro's article of today really puts it back on the straight and narrow and is a fine return of serve to the Essendon lackeys.

So much is done to turn public opinion one way or another but I dont really see what that can achieve as I'm bloody sure a very learned Judge wont be swayed one way or another by all of this codswallop !!

Seriously getting over Mark Robinson, he is nearly reaching Damien Barrett levels now

So I assume Dank has been racking up fines of $5k per day for not respponding to his show cause notice? Must be at least 3 months now...

Anyone shed any light on this?

Seriously getting over Mark Robinson, he is nearly reaching Damien Barrett levels now

I've said on a number of occasions that Robbo is the 'Molly Meldrum' of football, only without the intelligence.

I've said on a number of occasions that Robbo is the 'Molly Meldrum' of football, only without the intelligence.

I thought Molly was ok..lol

But Robbo....seriously....do yourself a favour .........

^^

Remember they were only tested for specific known substances that were it appears not detected.

They weren't (presumably) tested for unknown substances therefore weren't cleared of all potential offences.

As I understand it some of the substances used were not approved for human use which I believe is a WADA offence in itself.

also remember many caught and documented drug cheats "survived" many negative doping tests

Patrick smith has written he sat down with an essendon official some time ago, who admitted they know who the "essendon mother" is and have talked with her.

Robbo tweeted last night: " who do you believe patrick smith of the EFC?"

KB tweeted in response "pat smith!"

BTW I'm on holidays, got time on my hands!

Patrick smith has written he sat down with an essendon official some time ago, who admitted they know who the "essendon mother" is and have talked with her.

Robbo tweeted last night: " who do you believe patrick smith of the EFC?"

KB tweeted in response "pat smith!"

BTW I'm on holidays, got time on my hands!

not often i agree with KB!!

Smith has the best sources imo

I even heard one of the drugs treats cancer, maybe we should reward them?

So does chemotherapy and radiotherapy , but you wouldn't give either to a healthy person.

Seriously getting over Mark Robinson, he is nearly reaching Damien Barrett levels now

Are you saying, coming up to his level, or down to his level? Either way even Ronnie Corbet doesn't want to be compared to his twin Barrett

Gillon McLachlan ends his silence ~ AFL boss Gillon McLachlan backs top medico Peter Harcourt

Harcourt was criticised by the Bombers and the AFL Players Association over his strong comments.

"He no doubt has been wounded personally by the last couple of days but he has had support from everyone that I think he counts as important in the industry," McLachlan said.

"He is nearly a 20-year servant. What he has dedicated his life to is the health and welfare and safety of the players in the Australian Football League.

"That was actually what he was doing over there. He was actually furthering his knowledge, his networks and his contacts and talking about other professionals about that.

"I think we get distracted about that. There has been some inflammatory headlines. I think he regrets that it was published. We prefer that it didn't happen but if you focus on what he was doing, it was all about the health and welfare and safety of the players, which is his responsibility as the chief medical officer of the AFL."

good Gil. Good.

"Until then, we are going to try and concentrate on running this football competition and let the legal process run out. Everyone keep thinking what this is actually about - the health and welfare and safety of those Essendon players, and run a football competition."

I think the AFL might be totally jack of essendon too

Essendon players knew what they had been given, claims Dank

old dank reckons they knew what they were given and that the ziggy report is rubbish

awkward

Ta ta Mr. Little i have a feeling you won't be there too much longer....

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-players-knew-what-they-had-been-given-claims-dank-20140708-zt0kq.html

old dank reckons they knew what they were given and that the ziggy report is rubbish

awkward

We are almost up to the last episode......unless....

Dank has been presented with the appropriate forum to respond to everything - he was given a show cause notice.......time to actually show cause mate.

We are almost up to the last episode......unless....

naaahhh

bit like an Auction...only really starts and get interesting as the hammer is about to drop for the 3rd time ( for the first time ) ...then its game on. We're nearing that

We are almost up to the last episode......unless....

there is definitely a 2-part tele-movie in this.

Or just a movie.

actually i think they made it already - it was called Trainspotting