Some rhetorical questions to consider...

IF the players have all had performance enhancing drugs put into their system, why no positive tests?

AND, could the AFL possibly suspend all those players? How could they NOT?

Would that leave Essendon unable to field a side?

Would the AFL remove the possibility of gaining premiership points, a la Storm penalties?

If so, would the AFL remove their first round pick in the 2013 draft, so that they don't receive pick 1?

IF, as Evans claimed, they aren't "performance enhancing", what is the issue? Why are they being investigated?

Could the substances technically be ILLICIT substances, for the purpose of enhancing performance?

As I was just discussing with some friends just yesterday, a lot of "pre-workout supplements" these days contain synthetic substances very similar to speed. They get you juiced for a big workout, but you'll struggle to sleep that night, and whilst a lot are made illegal, new versions with slightly different synthetic additives are released at such a rapid rate the authorities struggle to keep up.

On the money. Makes a mockery of the policy.

On the money. Makes a mockery of the policy.

It's a bit like deer antler suppliments in the NFL. Some kind of banned growth hormone yet the NFL does not currently "have a test" for the banned substance?! What the?

Essendon's moto on their homepage:

"WHATEVER IT TAKES"

Ahhh I love the smell of irony in the morning

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/

http://statigr.am/p/307488573836377806_21625142

Interesting article...

http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/10/14/don-t-push-bomber-he-s-close-to-the-edge/

"Meanwhile, Thompson says the Bombers need to get back in the gym over summer if they want to match reigning AFL premiers Geelong next season...

Thompson and senior coach James Hird drove the Bombers through a rigorous pre-season training regime last summer and Thompson says the players can expect more gruelling sessions in the build-up to the 2012 season.

"We will do that again this year. We'll keep pushing until we get them big and strong and fit enough to play complete games of footy against the best teams," Thompson said on Friday.

"More volume, more intensity, more weights, more education, more skills, more everything.""

Looks legit

I think from legal standpoint, the club may have covered its arse somewhat, but I don't think the AFL would turn a blind eye to the club's part in all of this just because the players signed a waiver for something the club doctors/ sports scientists told them was ok.

However, having to sign a waiver should be so out of place for something that could do no harm, that despite the doctor's assurances, it should have been ringing serious alarm bells for the players.

Hence why it has probably come out now.

And for a waiver to be drawn up, surely the club's legal team and/or administration would have to be involved in some way?

I severely doubt this is something Dank did himself on his dell and then punched it out of his inkjet printer at home.

Finally, Lance Armstrong.

What surprises me more is that not one player raised his concerns with James or Bomba, surely if they were asked to sign a waiver they would have had to think it wasn't completely above board.

On the bomber boards someone has said it is SARMS they were using. If so, this is really bad [censored]. Looking through what it does and how it works, I would put it in the massively high risk category for long-term impact on your health and probably some forms of cancer. I really hope they haven't been stupid enough to go down that path.

Does it cure old age?

I'm not joking. A poster over at Bomberblitz claims he is.

he's probably just trying to connect MFC's name to the story.... If he says it enough.... The AFL media will blame us, for the bombers bad deeds....

Somehow I reckon Adrian Anderson would have a bit of a spring in his step today.

This waiver, if true, is mind boggling regardless of any illegal drug issue. What could it be? Player signs he won't sue the club if the supplement (or whatever) is later linked to some disease in 20 years? Any suggestions?

Not one player manager was aware of it... Shocking

What surprises me more is that not one player raised his concerns with James or Bomba, surely if they were asked to sign a waiver they would have had to think it wasn't completely above board.

I agree RobbieF it beggars belief that no one put up their hand.

There is a long way to go on this story.

My worry is that it will delay our problem being finalised.

On the bomber boards someone has said it is SARMS they were using. If so, this is really bad [censored]. Looking through what it does and how it works, I would put it in the massively high risk category for long-term impact on your health and probably some forms of cancer. I really hope they haven't been stupid enough to go down that path.

They pump that crap into baby yearlings, and stanazol.

I haven't been following this story during the day but I can't help but think about the suspension meted out to the Casey Scorpions player Wade Lees - AFL aspirant Wade Lees' 18-month ban for using performance-enhancing drugs will not be ramped up

In Wade's case, he copped an 18 month ban for "attempted use of a prohibited substance violation'' after unwittingly ordering a fat burning product from the US. He didn't know that it contained banned steroids and didn't even get the product and he didn't have the benefit of the education on drug use that AFL players get.

It will be interesting to see how this is handled.

"Interesting" is the years best understatement WJ

Ok, just got off the phone with a friend who is in the inner sanctum at another very well resourced club, who have a few ex-staff at Essendon.

Apparently the players were taking a substance that is legal only in certain circumstances in the process of recovering from certain injuries.

The rest of the time the drug is prohibited.

It was an attempt to exploit a narrow loophole.

You could say it was akin to Alistair Lynch taking steroids as part of his treatment for CFS.

The paperwork may or may not have something to do with a declaration that you have suffered from that particular injury.

I may be able to get more details tomorrow.

Wilson has called for CS to be sacked. He was seen walking past a Bombers membership tent last year.

she put all her eggs in the tanking basket..... But missed Adelaide's salary cap cheating and now essenbong's drug cheating..... Lol..... What else has she missed due to her obsession?

I haven't been following this story during the day but I can't help but think about the suspension meted out to the Casey Scorpions player Wade Lees - AFL aspirant Wade Lees' 18-month ban for using performance-enhancing drugs will not be ramped up

In Wade's case, he copped an 18 month ban for "attempted use of a prohibited substance violation'' after unwittingly ordering a fat burning product from the US. He didn't know that it contained banned steroids and didn't even get the product and he didn't have the benefit of the education on drug use that AFL players get.

It will be interesting to see how this is handled.

Major club, President son of former AFL Commission Chairman, poster boy Coach, yes this will be interesting.

IF they were prohibited substances and Bomber players used them, unlike Wade Lees who never actually used anything but got 18 months, one would expect a harsher penalty, for each player who used the substances.

You can bet London to a brick that Bomber players won't be suspended, nor will Caroline Wilson call for the Chairman, CEO or Coach's sacking. The rich club will be fined, which won't mean a thing to it and some Official or Officials will cop a penalty.

BTW a disgruntled ex-player in Reimers has added salt to the wound, in an interview with Damien Barrett. Possibly more ex players or officials to follow. Where have we seen that happen before?

What really cheeses me off is that this is the only club that we routinely beat and in fact, until these revelations, it was the only non-Mickey Mouse club that we beat in 2012. Now, I can't even say that.

Major club, President son of former AFL Commission Chairman, poster boy Coach, yes this will be interesting.

IF they were prohibited substances and Bomber players used them, unlike Wade Lees who never actually used anything but got 18 months, one would expect a harsher penalty, for each player who used the substances.

You can bet London to a brick that Bomber players won't be suspended, nor will Caroline Wilson call for the Chairman, or Coach's sacking. The rich club will be fined, which won't mean a thing to it and some Official or Officials will cop a penalty.

BTW a disgruntled ex-player in Reimers has added salt to the wound, in an interview with Damien Barrett. Possibly more ex players or officials to follow. Where have we seen that happen before?

Redleg I have been listening to 3AW they have a sports lawyer on

He is saying that it is out of the AFL's hands.

The AFL are a signature to Asada ( probably spelt wrong ) and as such if they find against the Bombers players they will be suspended for 2+ years and the AFL will have no say.

That raises the game

Major club, President son of former AFL Commission Chairman, poster boy Coach, yes this will be interesting.

IF they were prohibited substances and Bomber players used them, unlike Wade Lees who never actually used anything but got 18 months, one would expect a harsher penalty, for each player who used the substances.

You can bet London to a brick that Bomber players won't be suspended, nor will Caroline Wilson call for the Chairman, CEO or Coach's sacking. The rich club will be fined, which won't mean a thing to it and some Official or Officials will cop a penalty.

BTW a disgruntled ex-player in Reimers has added salt to the wound, in an interview with Damien Barrett. Possibly more ex players or officials to follow. Where have we seen that happen before?

Yep, you can bet it'll just be a fine, especially if banning a large number of players would prohibit Essendon from fielding a team.

The AFL is nothing if not consistently inconsistent.

Edit: did not see the post above. Still think the statement about the AFL stands in general though.

What will be the implications for the Brownlow? Potential hand over to T Cotchin and S Mitchell?

Yep, you can bet it'll just be a fine, especially if banning a large number of players would prohibit Essendon from fielding a team.

The AFL is nothing if not consistently inconsistent.

Edit: did not see the post above. Still think the statement about the AFL stands in general though.

With ASADA involved the AFL cannot over ride them.

If they were to decide that players etc should be suspended then the AFL cannot over ride that decision.

If the Bombers end up guilty they are in deep pooh pooh.

The AFL cannot say to ASADA sorry fellas the players can continue with a fine.

Ok, just got off the phone with a friend who is in the inner sanctum at another very well resourced club, who have a few ex-staff at Essendon.

Apparently the players were taking a substance that is legal only in certain circumstances in the process of recovering from certain injuries.

The rest of the time the drug is prohibited.

It was an attempt to exploit a narrow loophole.

You could say it was akin to Alistair Lynch taking steroids as part of his treatment for CFS.

The paperwork may or may not have something to do with a declaration that you have suffered from that particular injury.

I may be able to get more details tomorrow.

That is one explanation of whatever was signed (if anything) - better than the one I suggested about never from suing the club. But wouldn't it look very suspicious if the entire team claimed to all be suffering the same injuries?