it is what it is

Couldn't disagree more deefrag. While very occasionally a team will get an advantage because they happen to play a 'gastro' team, when some teams get to play the 'gastro' team twice and others only once, then it is manifestly unfair to the teams that only get one shot at the sickos.

This amuses me!

The draw full stop is unfair there are anomalies for every club.

Just accept that while there are 22 games and 18 teams and that the draw must maximise TV ratings then there will always be the advantaged and Disadvantaged.

Not wishing any malice at Donland, but I really hope..

1 Players found guilty get 2-5 years AND if this is the case

2 Hird gets a well deserved Flick and never ever is seen in football again

3 That all associates in this thing also get their come upperance

4 That this Club almost almost folds as result!

Integrity of competition is ultimate, damn everything else, even those "Head in Sand" supporters who still are faithfully Blinded

I hope I haven't gone overboard with this coz as I have said, NOT wishing any Malice

Geez I wouldn't like to cross you and actual get malice !

Funny, but when the IOC suspends drug cheats from competing at the Olympics or who are caught during the Olympics, they don't even entertain the idea of not sanctioning the cheats for fear of what it might do t the integrity of the Olympics. And I would have thought that if players were found to be cheats, then it would reflect poorly on the integrity of the competition if they were not punished.

Either suspend them the whole year or none at all.

The whole of season 2015 will be compromised if Essendon field qtr strength sides in a percentage of their games.

I'm going to give an example of 2 clubs- Collingwood and Adelaide, where one will benefit at the others expense.

Collingwood and Adelaide are 2 clubs that will be genuinely fighting for 8th spot next year.

Collingwood play Essendon in round 4 and let's assume the players are suspended for that one. Result = Collingwood by 75 points

Adelaide play a rejuvenated Essendon in round 20 at Etihad and go down by 21 points with finals on the line.

After the home and away season the ladder looks like this:

8- Collingwood 12-10 101%

9- Adelaide 11-11 106%

I would contend that Collingwood snuck into the 8 by virtue of winning a game by default against a non AFL standard Essendon.

Now that's a season without integrity and a season that will forever have an astarix next to it.

Either suspend them the whole year or none at all.

The whole of season 2015 will be compromised if Essendon field qtr strength sides in a percentage of their games.

I'm going to give an example of 2 clubs- Collingwood and Adelaide, where one will benefit at the others expense.

Collingwood and Adelaide are 2 clubs that will be genuinely fighting for 8th spot next year.

Collingwood play Essendon in round 4 and let's assume the players are suspended for that one. Result = Collingwood by 75 points

Adelaide play a rejuvenated Essendon in round 20 at Etihad and go down by 21 points with finals on the line.

After the home and away season the ladder looks like this:

8- Collingwood 12-10 101%

9- Adelaide 11-11 106%

I would contend that Collingwood snuck into the 8 by virtue of winning a game by default against a non AFL standard Essendon.

Now that's a season without integrity and a season that will forever have an astarix next to it.

If you are a pies supporter you are going to laugh all year.

It is AFL get used to it because it is not going to change.

Fair No but since when has the draw been fair to all.

This amuses me!

The draw full stop is unfair there are anomalies for every club.

Just accept that while there are 22 games and 18 teams and that the draw must maximise TV ratings then there will always be the advantaged and Disadvantaged.

Like Queen Vic I am not amused as you are. Everyone who has a pulse knows the draw is not fair. This just dramatically makes it worse. I don't think that the way to solve the unfair draw problems we already have is to introduce another unfair factor.

Those who want to makes excuses can go ahead and plan ours all based upon some furphy that the Bombers have caused even more inequality re the draw..

or ya just get on with things and try to affect the things you can, not what you can't

one decants Gin ??

This surely is the greatest treasure trove of information; Demonland !!

This one does not touch gin!!

Biffen , however, decants various substances - speak to him!

This one does not touch gin!!

Biffen , however, decants various substances - speak to him!

not sure I want to.....to someone who possibly decants .....gin

Couldn't disagree more deefrag. While very occasionally a team will get an advantage because they happen to play a 'gastro' team, when some teams get to play the 'gastro' team twice and others only once, then it is manifestly unfair to the teams that only get one shot at the sickos.

Well, I could foresee a situation whereby a team or club could be so sick or sickening or just plain sicko that are totally banned from competing for fear of infecting the rest of the competition!!

Hypothetical of course!

Those who want to makes excuses can go ahead and plan ours all based upon some furphy that the Bombers have caused even more inequality re the draw..

or ya just get on with things and try to affect the things you can, not what you can't

Who said anyone was using it for excuses for the MFC.

Just dismissing suggestions of how the draw may be made fairer, in this case because of a possible B grade EFC team, and saying just get on with things etc, is typical hairy-chested 'look at how tough I am' talk.

Yes, I can't change what the AFL does, but so what. That can be said about any criticism or suggestion about anything posted by anyone on this forum.

Like Queen Vic I am not amused as you are. Everyone who has a pulse knows the draw is not fair. This just dramatically makes it worse. I don't think that the way to solve the unfair draw problems we already have is to introduce another unfair factor.

Who said anyone was using it for excuses for the MFC.

Just dismissing suggestions of how the draw may be made fairer, in this case because of a possible B grade EFC team, and saying just get on with things etc, is typical hairy-chested 'look at how tough I am' talk.

Yes, I can't change what the AFL does, but so what. That can be said about any criticism or suggestion about anything posted by anyone on this forum.

If you dont' mind there Sue..Id say you were , amongst others.

I will dismiss the nonsense out of hand,as it's my opinion.

There is no fair fixture anymore. If Essendon are easybeats in 15 then thats as far as it goes surely.

If we're any good we'll beat teams theres no point anyone worrying over other's benefits etc.

Just like yo can only play the team that turns up you can only play the fixture given.

2 year bans

Anything less is pure corruption on the part of the AFL tribunal

If you dont' mind there Sue..Id say you were , amongst others.

I will dismiss the nonsense out of hand,as it's my opinion.

There is no fair fixture anymore. If Essendon are easybeats in 15 then thats as far as it goes surely.

If we're any good we'll beat teams theres no point anyone worrying over other's benefits etc.

Just like yo can only play the team that turns up you can only play the fixture given.

I'm staggered - where oh where did I use this as an excuse for future bad performance by the Demons? I did not! I just said it introduced an unfair element into an (already unfair) draw. Have you actually read what I have written?

The only teams it will affect in a significant way are those in contention for the finals. Sadly I doubt that includes us. I guess it just may affect who finishes on the bottom. Hopefully that won't be relevant for us either. I haven't even looked at the draw to see how often we or our immediate competitors play EFC.

For those complaining about hurting the fixture further, do you see an alternative to punishing a team heavily without compromise to the fixture?

For those complaining about hurting the fixture further, do you see an alternative to punishing a team heavily without compromise to the fixture?

Now there is a very good question.

may as well stop suspending reported players as that affects the "integrity" of the draw unfairly

joan kirner anyone?

I seem to be in the minority that think the Essendon players and coach will not be found guilty by the AFL/ASADA investigations for taking banned substances. I just don't think the link or evidence is strong enough despite believing personally that the doping took place.

Essendon will, however, have the book thrown at them by Workcover Victoria who will give a more crippling penalty than ASADA/AFL could ever give. Essendon will get what they deserve it just wont be the way the general public expect.

Evening comrades.

Quick question: is there any real evidence that Workcover has any intention at all of becoming involved? (I hope there is - like everybody else, I'd love to see the cheaters get hammered, but I've got a mate who works for Workcover - he said the buzz around the office is that they don't plan to become involved - too "political", whatever the hell that means)

Evening comrades.

Quick question: is there any real evidence that Workcover has any intention at all of becoming involved? (I hope there is - like everybody else, I'd love to see the cheaters get hammered, but I've got a mate who works for Workcover - he said the buzz around the office is that they don't plan to become involved - too "political", whatever the hell that means)

I believe Dan the man is a paid up Essendon member.Wouldnt want to upset the boss so early in the piece

may as well stop suspending reported players as that affects the "integrity" of the draw unfairly

joan kirner anyone?

Nice of you to offer mate .

I'm right thanks.

it is what it is

The reality bus....

IF essendon get smashed come afl tribunal and ASADA's evidence is released, making it clear to one and all that its clearly negligent governing (in addition to other things), then workcover would be a disgrace if they didnt get involved.

Now there is a very good question.

Essendon buoyed by the dropping of all charges against it's players and with coach James Hird winning a massive damages case against ASADA have swept all before them thus far in season 2015. Showing no ill effects from their two year persecution they remain unbeaten through round eighteen. Assistant coaches Thompson and Harvey are very confident of a grand final berth this year but are quick to dismiss claims that the Bombers should be hot favourites to win the flag. Coaching guru Mark Neeld is predicting a second browlow medal for their captain and champion Jobe Watson who is enjoying the best season of his AFL career. Neeld with tongue firmly in cheek even suggested that teams drawn to play the Bombers only once in 2015 should consider themselves very lucky . . . . .

not sure I want to.....to someone who possibly decants .....gin

Well bb Biffen has many weaknesses! He is a drug abuser. He is a drug dealer. He lives of the earnings of immoral woman. I won't go on. Decanting gins is the least of his sins!!

Well bb Biffen has many weaknesses! He is a drug abuser. He is a drug dealer. He lives of the earnings of immoral woman. I won't go on. Decanting gins is the least of his sins!!

gotta have something to keep you going while you support this club of ours