Righto boys I'm back, lets get some injections goin

Is it me or does Hird look craaaazzzzy in this photo:

Is it me or does Hird look craaaazzzzy in this photo:

Is it me or does Hird look craaaazzzzy in this photo:

or is he sitting in the ejector seat, given there is an exit sign above him and not Bomba

Is it me or does Hird look craaaazzzzy in this photo:

Maybe he has tried another "unknown substance - though of course a very safe one" ?

Is it me or does Hird look craaaazzzzy in this photo:

honey, i took some more melatonin and im coming home!!!

You prefer "voyage of pharmaceutical discovery"?

Well he needs to learn how not to get caught. He must have been asleep in that previous lecture.

Well he needs to learn how not to get caught. He must have been asleep in that previous lecture.

And also asleep in the ones on ethics, management and common sense ...

but did he learn any french?

Probably not, but he probably picked up on the latest doping tricks and tactics from the peloton

Probably not, but he probably picked up on the latest doping tricks and tactics from the peloton

i dont know about that - the tour appears much cleaner over the last year or so

average speeds are down

average times are up

still massively skeptical but im not sure its the doping conference that it once was.

average speeds are down

average times are up

Also, you're getting more riders having a "jour sans" where they have an off day ... rarely had that in the good old days. Not to mention far fewer (almost no) Pro Tour riders testing positive, or even getting picked up through the Biological Passport scheme. Tiernan Locke was the only real recent one, and the (presumed) doping took place before he joined Sky.

Biological Passport is interesting in terms of the "there's no evidence" Essendon supporters. No proof, no positive test, no hard evidence even circumstantial - simply blood test results over a long period that could be indicative of doping. I don't know, do the AFL even do blood tests (yet alone monitor them)? I think not.

http://m.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/the-main-stories-of-essendons-supplements-saga-finally-converge-in-federal-court-stoush/story-e6frf56c-1226999186301

Good summary

I was thinking about the coaching situation at essendope before and I think they're going to find it very difficult to maintain Bomber Thompson as senior coach, even if they would like to.

I'd be assuming that Hird is on between 500-600k per year, and has two more years remaining starting next year, Bomber Thompson would require around 800k per year at least to stay on as senior coach if they decide Hird isn't the right man for the job, so that means the Bombers would be down potentially 2 million just in the coaching changeover after they pay out Hird and sign up Bomber at the end of 2015, that may not be possible if they have massive legal fees hanging over their head.

I assume that they will fail in their court challenge, and then appeal to try and stall the investigation process for long enough to turn over the list as quickly as possible, the bombers are also paying the players legal fees, these could get very large very quickly, there is also the distinct possibility that the players may look to take legal action against the club if infraction notices are issued, I know I would.

I'm curious what others think about this matter but in my opinion it would be irresponsible and silly to try and change the coaches as much as Hird doesn't deserve to have a place in the AFL anymore imo.

I was thinking about the coaching situation at essendope before and I think they're going to find it very difficult to maintain Bomber Thompson as senior coach, even if they would like to.

I'd be assuming that Hird is on between 500-600k per year,

hes on 1 million per year

hes on 1 million per year

For spending the year in France.

Good gig that.

I would love to be that sort of failure.

I was thinking about the coaching situation at essendope before and I think they're going to find it very difficult to maintain Bomber Thompson as senior coach, even if they would like to.

I'd be assuming that Hird is on between 500-600k per year, and has two more years remaining starting next year, Bomber Thompson would require around 800k per year at least to stay on as senior coach if they decide Hird isn't the right man for the job, so that means the Bombers would be down potentially 2 million just in the coaching changeover after they pay out Hird and sign up Bomber at the end of 2015, that may not be possible if they have massive legal fees hanging over their head.

I assume that they will fail in their court challenge, and then appeal to try and stall the investigation process for long enough to turn over the list as quickly as possible, the bombers are also paying the players legal fees, these could get very large very quickly, there is also the distinct possibility that the players may look to take legal action against the club if infraction notices are issued, I know I would.

I'm curious what others think about this matter but in my opinion it would be irresponsible and silly to try and change the coaches as much as Hird doesn't deserve to have a place in the AFL anymore imo.

I wish Essendrug all the worst and would rejoice at the prospect of watching them play in the Ammos next year out of Elsternwick Park...

I wish Essendrug all the worst and would rejoice at the prospect of watching them play in the Ammos next year out of Elsternwick Park...

Ammos don't want cheats.

If essendon lose this case, they still have the right to appeal to the high court don't they?

If essendon lose this case, they still have the right to appeal to the high court don't they?

my understanding is infraction notices go out ( if nothing agreed to by players before hand ) as of the August trial date

you can of course appeal. ....but you have to have grounds to appeal..its not fait accompli

I wish Essendrug all the worst and would rejoice at the prospect of watching them play in the Ammos next year out of Elsternwick Park...

Screw that, they will mess up the clubbies finals fixture.

my understanding is infraction notices go out ( if nothing agreed to by players before hand ) as of the August trial date

you can of course appeal. ....but you have to have grounds to appeal..its not fait accompli

Depends if ASADA give them another extension to their show cause... The judge didn't issue an order saying they couldn't issue infraction notices but said he would be disappointed if anything changed ie don't do it...

Essendon are screwed they are playing the fair hearing type defence rather than looking at their crime... The fed court has no ability to stop show caused etc (can rule evidence out possibly) but an appeal into the affair has to court to the court of arbitration not the high court

when was the extension for the show cause notices granted too?

For spending the year in France.

Good gig that.

I would love to be that sort of failure.

Get in the line.

hes on 1 million per year

I could have saved them some money I would have stayed in France for the year for $200k

WM...that was the gist. The gentleman's nod by Middleton to ASADA was to hold off (iirc) until the trial...but that only. Am aware of no other direction. So as such they ( notices) will go out then.

I really think EFC are barking up the wrong tree as such.