By the time the verdict is out all the players involved will be retired.

That is a big call. I would say 2016 at the latest, though legal action by players may take longer. Hird's fate though will be known very soon IMHO, and that is the one truly relevant issue. He was the instigator, both of the doping and the cover up. He deserves nothing less than a life ban, and that is what he will get.

In terms of penalties that will REALLY hurt those responsible, the ASADA action is really just a warm up. Waiting in the wings is Workcover - with undeniable evidence that Essendon did not provide a safe workplace for its employees through 2012.

The Essendon Board are spending time and money trying to protect themselves from a couple of balsa wood gliders when several squadron of fully armed swing wing jet fighters are fuelling up just over the horizon preparing to escort a long line of nuclear powered armour-plated missle launchers into Tania Hird's little protectorate..

Edited December 7, 201410 yr by hoopla

More late night reading: the suggestion is that in going for a subpoena on Dank's companies, ASADA are not necessarily doing so in relation to the Essendon case, but as part of a wider investigation into athletes who may have purchased peptides (from MRC).

Though it begs the question for me: who else but sportsmen/women would be buying TB-4 etc??

ASADA subpoena bid could widen scope of investigation beyond Essendon

That is a big call. I would say 2016 at the latest, though legal action by players may take longer. Hird's fate though will be known very soon IMHO, and that is the one truly relevant issue. He was the instigator, both of the doping and the cover up. He deserves nothing less than a life ban, and that is what he will get.

I was joking mate.

Once the Herd case comes to a close the dominoes will fall.

I just love watching those cocky bomber supports suffer!!

The Tribunal hearings will take place behind closed doors.

This means we can all look forward to selective leaks from Robbo, Rohan Connolly and Chip Le Grand.

The Tribunal hearings will take place behind closed doors.

This means we can all look forward to selective leaks from Robbo, Rohan Connolly and Chip Le Grand.

nahhh they'll be too busy drowning sorrows or cutting wrists to write anything !!

The Tribunal hearings will take place behind closed doors.

This means we can all look forward to selective leaks from Robbo, Rohan Connolly and Chip Le Grand.

ASADA have pushed this and it suggests to me that their case is weak.

Whatever happens now one side will say it was a cover up and they were robbed.

The smell of lettuce leaves gets strong by the day

ASADA have pushed this and it suggests to me that their case is weak.

Whatever happens now one side will say it was a cover up and they were robbed.

The smell of lettuce leaves gets strong by the day

sorry OLD I know wherre your scepticism comes from but WADA have no track record of rolling on something like this.

ASADA dont actually need Dwank or Avali to turn up its only icing...and then maybe not.

What is coming is what Essendon and Hird fear most.... Judgemnet Day

sorry OLD I know wherre your scepticism comes from but WADA have no track record of rolling on something like this.

ASADA dont actually need Dwank or Avali to turn up its only icing...and then maybe not.

What is coming is what Essendon and Hird fear most.... Judgemnet Day

WE are very differing opinions on this bb

One of us is going to be sadly incorrect.

I am more than happy for you to say "I told you so"

But so far I have seen nothing to change my opinion.

WE are very differing opinions on this bb

One of us is going to be sadly incorrect.

I am more than happy for you to say "I told you so"

But so far I have seen nothing to change my opinion.

why would you suppose you would..seriously ??

Hammer time hasnt happened yet...

ASADA have pushed this and it suggests to me that their case is weak.

...

Disagree. As we know ASADA's case is circumstantial and requires following a chain of evidence. It would be easy for the gutter press to make mincemeat of that to a public which is not inclined to follow the details. But it could be convincing to a panel of intelligent people prepared to make the effort to understand the details. So if I was ASADA, I'd be keen to keep the press out so there is less public backlash to a conviction and take my chances with the leaks.

Naturally. They're Russians and they all cheat. Not like our dinky di, true blue, Aussie footballers. We don't do performance enhancing drugs.

...and when we get caught it's not our fault. We have been duped, conned into signing waivers etc...

Disagree. As we know ASADA's case is circumstantial and requires following a chain of evidence. It would be easy for the gutter press to make mincemeat of that to a public which is not inclined to follow the details. But it could be convincing to a panel of intelligent people prepared to make the effort to understand the details. So if I was ASADA, I'd be keen to keep the press out so there is less public backlash to a conviction and take my chances with the leaks.

IMO Sue having it behind closed doors gives them an even better chance. Nothing they say can be refuted.

And if it goes against them they can say "we was robbed"

Again IMO in most cases there is very little to gained by having things in Camera and little will be gained on this occasion.

The Tribunal hearings will take place behind closed doors.

This means we can all look forward to selective leaks from Robbo, Rohan Connolly and Chip Le Grand.

Cheer up people! Martin Hardie is writing a book about it all . . the true story will be told!!

Maybe there is more evidence there than meets the eye

Maybe there is more evidence there than meets the eye

Why hide it?

Maybe there is more evidence there than meets the eye

Is this a riddle?

AFL and Essendon hiding behind closed doors

and not one person is surprised

IMO Sue having it behind closed doors gives them an even better chance. Nothing they say can be refuted.

And if it goes against them they can say "we was robbed"

Again IMO in most cases there is very little to gained by having things in Camera and little will be gained on this occasion.

Why does it being behind closed doors allow nothing to be refuted ?

ASADA have pushed this and it suggests to me that their case is weak.

Whatever happens now one side will say it was a cover up and they were robbed.

The smell of lettuce leaves gets strong by the day

previous press releases said that the players wanted it in camera

who do you believe?

Why does it being behind closed doors allow nothing to be refuted ?

If Robbo and the fan club say X happened behind close doors a large part of the GP will say " yep knew it another cover up to save the AFL"

previous press releases said that the players wanted it in camera

who do you believe?

None of them they all have something to hide.

How does it serve the GP to have the whole thing behind closed doors.

This is IMO a good example of the need for Justice being seen to be done

Edited December 8, 201410 yr by old dee

IMO Sue having it behind closed doors gives them an even better chance. Nothing they say can be refuted.

And if it goes against them they can say "we was robbed"

Again IMO in most cases there is very little to gained by having things in Camera and little will be gained on this occasion.

You may be right, but alternatively if there is a reasonably quick 'conviction' it could be too late to influence the public perception. Interesting times ahead.

None of them they all have something to hide.

How does it serve the GP to have the whole thing behind closed doors.

This is IMO a good example of the need for Justice being seen to be done

but justice is blind od

anyway it is all now down to those who are present (or deem to attend) - accused, accusers, witnesses, legal teams and judges

if what the media dishes up is any indication of what to expect from an open hearing we are no worse off with it being in camera witjhout the circus distractions (though they will try anyway)

If Robbo and the fan club say X happened behind close doors a large part of the GP will say " yep knew it another cover up to save the AFL"

Robbo will struggle to report anything