Essendon and their players/former players should end up with a rightly deserved and well earned problem here.

Seems the AFL has been prodded into action. Good.

and we move on

Reported on Hun that this will not happen.

As expected rival clubs complained.

Eddie

Here we go:

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/patrick-ryders-attempted-free-agency-move-from-essendon-has-been-blocked-by-the-afl/story-e6frf3e3-1227084258054

Oh, so the sky isn't falling?

Everyone can unknot their knickers then.

Back to pick 17 and steak knifes.

Oh, so the sky isn't falling?

Everyone can unknot their knickers then.

Back to pick 17 and steak knifes.

As I understand it, it's the "steak knives" that are the sticking point.

It seems Port can't convince any of their players to go to Essendon to sweeten the deal.

Oh, so the sky isn't falling?

Everyone can unknot their knickers then.

Back to pick 17 and steak knifes.

Reasoned arguments and all but maybe take the indignation to dons a forum Ash. Not much sympathy here.

Why is the AFL community mute on this, this morning! Nothing extra today in newspaper websites or news reels and I'm not hearing any 'Eddie gone nuts' quotes. Clubs can't just let this go unchallenged, even if they do want to keep it out of court! Someone must speak up for goodness sake! The silence is deafening!

It's because the big kahoona Gil is holidaying up in Noosa. I overtook him on the National Park run yesterday.

I was so tempted to try and give him a high 5 for our Pick 3 compo.

This is a very unique situation.

It hasn't happened before in the AFL.

It's quite easy for any one affiliated with one of the other 17 clubs to say "C'mon Essendon, hurry up and take your punishment, lets get on with it".

But I firmly believe that Essendon believe they haven't given the players performance enhancing drugs.

So why would they "take their medicine" and roll over.

They, like everyone else who thinks they're innocent, are fighting tooth and nail.

Yes it's annoying for the rest of the football public.

It's annoying for me that this saga has dragged on and no real sign of it's conclusion.

And I think at times James Hird has put his own self interests ahead of the clubs.

But there is no manual for this, it's never happened before.

Hopefully it never happens again.

If the Bombers kept their receipts, and logs of who got what, maybe they wouldn't be in this trouble, or maybe they still would be... The fact is the club doesn't seem to know, which means that ASADA cannot let them off - if all you have to do is lose the logbook and the receipts to escape punishment - it would be a ridiculous system.

Taking your medicine is done when the other avenue is worse - your club has been driving down the other avenue for a couple of years now.

There may be no manual for this, but there is common sense, and it has been in short supply down at the Airport of late - plenty of arrogance, hubris, and delay but little care for their players, their fans and the game itself.

Melbourne rolled over like a puppy dog during its recent episode of 'tanking' shenanigans. There was a time when I was envious of how Essendon fought back against the tide of AFL fisthammery but I knew why we did roll - for our own good.

Sometimes you have got to suck it up, admit what you didn't do and move on.

Oh, so the sky isn't falling?

Everyone can unknot their knickers then.

Back to pick 17 and steak knifes.

If its any consolation I would have the same reaction to any 'deal' outside the rules, regardless of the club involved.

Hope EFC gets what Paddy is worth from Port.

The stumbling blocks seem to be Ess want a player (not pick) and no Port player wishes to go to Ess. Port could trade a player to another club for a round 1 pick and pass it to Ess with pick 17. Hypothetically, Robbie Gray to STK, Melb, Bulldogs etc for their 1st pick. Not suggesting this example is the right one but there may be various players that might go to StK, Dees, Bulldogs or any other club with a top 10 pick. Port then gives that pick + 17 to Ess. Port should pay a fair price in picks or players.

As I understand it, it's the "steak knives" that are the sticking point.

It seems Port can't convince any of their players to go to Essendon to sweeten the deal.

This may well be a valid point Choke.

They should make it public, that would shut up EFC, deal or lose, nobody is willing to go to EFC.

Edit: Typo

If its any consolation I would have the same reaction to any 'deal' outside the rules, regardless of the club involved.

Hope EFC gets what Paddy is worth from Port.

Yeah but what is Paddy worth?

Essendon are excluding the possibility of sanctions when they are evaluating what he's worth.

Paddy is an excellent ruckman, but there is a big question mark on his ability to play next year due to likely sanctions.

It's because the big kahoona Gil is holidaying up in Noosa. I overtook him on the National Park run yesterday.

I was so tempted to try and give him a high 5 for our Pick 3 compo.

Should have tripped up and accidentally drop kicked him for our PP.

Yeah but what is Paddy worth?

Essendon are excluding the possibility of sanctions when they are evaluating what he's worth.

Paddy is an excellent ruckman, but there is a big question mark on his ability to play next year due to likely sanctions.

I think the first slight of hand here was lauding paddy as Ryder the magnificent . Thereafter a false value of his worth seems to have cemented itself into the equation. He's had one , i repeat one really decent season. many other quite ordinary ones. Yes Given the likelihood of Essendon struggling to filed any team of consequence then he's a big out for them but the market value isnt really nearly as high and this is what Port I think are suggesting.

He like many others are under 'that' cloud . Id be stubborn too if Port. Can fully understand Windy Hill wanting/needing more but thats of their own doing and not really representative of Ryders value to anyone else.

Ash...you do understand your club committed some major wrongs ?

Its done them and seemingly wished to be treated almost in the 3rd person wrt to it all.

Its plainly incongruous for this to be tackled in this manner.

beelzebub...you do understand my club didn't play finals in 2013 even though we qualified,

and was fined $2 mil,

and were stripped of draft picks that has been well and truly covered in this thread.

But as I keep saying, the Essendon haters want us to suffer, and suffer, and then suffer some more.

Perhaps we should be banned from the next 5 drafts.

Each club can come and pick one player from our list and take them for nothing.

What else do you suggest so we get our right whack?

pack us off to play VFL for the next few years?

That might cause a problem or two for your club.

Cos that would leave a 17 team comp. TV rights are for 9 games a week.

So less TV rights money means less of a hand out to the Dees.

Might not be able to afford Roosy and Peter Jackson afterall.

Mate, I know what we did was wrong.

No one actually knows, perhaps apart from Dank, what we gave the players, which is a disgrace.

And the AFL nailed us for that.

But how much more flesh do you want.

If ASAGA have evidence, finally come forward and provide it.

Lets put this thing to bed.

Either prove the club gave the players illegal drugs or boot off.

Dish out some penalties if you have evidence, or wrap it up.

Ash I want your club to bleed out, that would be good

Yeah but what is Paddy worth?

Essendon are excluding the possibility of sanctions when they are evaluating what he's worth.

Paddy is an excellent ruckman, but there is a big question mark on his ability to play next year due to likely sanctions.

Probably 2 1st round picks.

The stumbling blocks seem to be Ess want a player (not pick) and no Port player wishes to go to Ess. The latter is a bit of a ploy by Port as they could trade a player to another club for a round 1 pick and pass it to Ess with pick 17. Hypothetically, Robbie Gray to STK, Melb, Bulldogs etc for their 1st pick. Not suggesting this example is the right one but there may be various Port players that might go to StK, Dees, Bulldogs or any other club with a top 10 pick. Port then gives that pick + 17 to Ess. Port should pay a fair price in picks or players.

Probably 2 1st round picks.

The stumbling blocks seem to be Ess want a player (not pick) and no Port player wishes to go to Ess. Port could trade a player to another club for a round 1 pick and pass it to Ess with pick 17. Hypothetically, Robbie Gray to STK, Melb, Bulldogs etc for their 1st pick. Not suggesting this example is the right one but there may be various players that might go to StK, Dees, Bulldogs or any other club with a top 10 pick. Port then gives that pick + 17 to Ess. Port should pay a fair price in picks or players.

I see what you're saying, but if Port can't convince their own players to go to the EFC then they're going to have a hell of a time trying to convince another player from another team to do it.

I think picks are as good as Essendon are going to get.

Ash...you do understand that at least 34 otherwise healthy kids in prime fitness now live under a permanent cloud of uncertainty.

See youre still in denial then. The evidence is coming Ash.

If ASAGA have evidence, finally come forward and provide it.

Lets put this thing to bed.

Ash - if your club hadn't wasted the last x months with that stupid court case, maybe it would have been.

Not in denial mate, just want the thing wrapped up as soon as possible.

If it is so clear cut as everyone here seems to think, why have ASADA taken so long to prosecute?

I can only form an opinion on what I know and have been told.

ASADA would have gone through the club top to bottom, and interviewed everyone that needs to be spoken to [except Dank].

Essendon would have the exact same info ASADA have.

Essendon have clearly and consistently said they don't believe they gave the player illegal drugs.

ASADA have issued show cause notices on the evidence they have, but refuse to tell anyone what that evidence is.

One of them has the bull by the tail.

You obviously hope and think it's Essendon, I obviously hope it isn't.

beelzebub...you do understand my club didn't play finals in 2013 even though we qualified,

and was fined $2 mil,

and were stripped of draft picks that has been well and truly covered in this thread.

But as I keep saying, the Essendon haters want us to suffer, and suffer, and then suffer some more.

Perhaps we should be banned from the next 5 drafts.

Each club can come and pick one player from our list and take them for nothing.

What else do you suggest so we get our right whack?

pack us off to play VFL for the next few years?

That might cause a problem or two for your club.

Cos that would leave a 17 team comp. TV rights are for 9 games a week.

So less TV rights money means less of a hand out to the Dees.

Might not be able to afford Roosy and Peter Jackson afterall.

Mate, I know what we did was wrong.

No one actually knows, perhaps apart from Dank, what we gave the players, which is a disgrace.

And the AFL nailed us for that.

But how much more flesh do you want.

If ASAGA have evidence, finally come forward and provide it.

Lets put this thing to bed.

Either prove the club gave the players illegal drugs or boot off.

Dish out some penalties if you have evidence, or wrap it up.

Ash, I sympathise with a supporters pain, but the EFC's pain has only just begun.

Fact 1 .There is no need to prove players took illegal drugs. Intent is sufficient ie ordering banned substances.

Fact 2 . The burden of proof is with EFC not ASADA

Fact 3. EFC have received no penalties yet for drug use.

Fact 4. Workcare are yet to announce their investigation.

A whole world of pain is yet to descend on the bunker at Tullamarine. You are welcome to follow the Dees during the EFC exile.

PS an 18th team will be introduced during EFC hiatus.

Ash, I sympathise with a supporters pain, but the EFC's pain has only just begun.

Fact 1 .There is no need to prove players took illegal drugs. Intent is sufficient ie ordering banned substances.

Fact 2 . The burden of proof is with EFC not ASADA

Fact 3. EFC have received no penalties yet for drug use.

Fact 4. Workcare are yet to announce their investigation.

A whole world of pain is yet to descend on the bunker at Tullamarine. You are welcome to follow the Dees during the EFC exile.

PS an 18th team will be introduced during EFC hiatus.

The Tassie Tornadoes.

Ash - if your club hadn't wasted the last x months with that stupid court case, maybe it would have been.

The last 3 months perhaps.

My time line may be shaky.

ASADA took 18 months to issue Show Cause notices.

Please don't think I am defending what Essendon did.

Or the court cases, or a lot of what the club has done.

But you guys don't seem to understand that the club firmly believes the supplements they gave the players were not illegal.

I don't know if they were or not, and you guys don't know if they were or not.

But you guys hope they were illegal so you can dance on our grave.

Not in denial mate, just want the thing wrapped up as soon as possible.

If it is so clear cut as everyone here seems to think, why have ASADA taken so long to prosecute? SERIOUSLY ASKING THAT ?? LOL

I can only form an opinion on what I know and have been told.

ASADA would have gone through the club top to bottom, and interviewed everyone that needs to be spoken to [except Dank].

Essendon would have the exact same info ASADA have. NOT CORRECT IMHO Essendon KNOW what was taken. ASADA had to work it out

Essendon have clearly and consistently said they don't believe they gave the player illegal drugs. ESSENDON IS PLAINLY LYING

ASADA have issued show cause notices on the evidence they have, but refuse to tell anyone what that evidence is. You do understand how the protocol works? Maybe you need to bone up a bit . Its works like this. We ( ASADA) have reason to believe that you ( players ) took prohibited substances and engaged in ilegal performance enhancement programs. You, the player, need to prove you didnt.

One of them has the bull by the tail.

You obviously hope and think it's Essendon, I obviously hope it isn't.

I dont hope anything ASH....other than justice and deserts and something the players can work with regarding their health. As to Little and Hird they can go to Hell

Essendon not only poked the bear, they dared to laugh whilst doing it. That Bear is about to get nasty.

In all honesty I dont think Windy Hill yet quite realises the gravity of their errors or whats about to hit them.