THE ESSENDON 34: ON TRIAL

[biggestred 5,138]

http://m.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/patrick-smith-opinion-time-to-move-on-james-hird/story-e6frg7uo-1227202811849?sv=b8f77a6f118e18a17e12149e3b2af971#.VMvwCP7wZe8.twitter

[Ethan Tremblay 30,966]

http://m.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/patrick-smith-opinion-time-to-move-on-james-hird/story-e6frg7uo-1227202811849?sv=b8f77a6f118e18a17e12149e3b2af971#.VMvwCP7wZe8.twitter

Unfortunately it's a subscriber only article.

[Dees2014 2,377]

How can they suspend Hird? He hasn't been issued an infraction notice.

Not yet. Doesn't stop then in the future....have a look at the fate of some of the people who surrounded Armstrong, and a number of coaches associated with European cycling. The initial concentration is nearly always on the athlete - those who actually take the substances. Those who arranged and administered the doses, or oversee them get caught up later.

Edited January 30, 2015 by Dees2014

[robbiefrom13 892]

legal argument may determine what Essendon does with Hird - public opinion will pressure the AFL, and their respect for their own brand; just as it did when we were dealt with for not tanking. Hird is rapidly becoming unsustainable/toxic.

[daisycutter 29,735]

Unfortunately it's a subscriber only article.

cut out the heading text and paste it into google

this should get you past the paywall.....worked for me

[BarnDee 287]

can AFL take tirds coaching license ? , he can still work for ess , cleaning dunnies etc

[deefrag 277]

Time for a new Testament?

AFL Football with very strict and very frequent drug testing regimes ensure's performance of players and the standard of games will remain well below potential. The current AFL model is . . . boring!!

A fresh approach is needed. An all steroid AFL Football competition is envisioned, with no testing whatsoever, all drugs are permitted, in fact drug usage is mandatory. The AFL will provide free needles, IV set ups, and drug refrigerators. Known as the "Hird" model of AFL football, It will push the performance envelope leading to record breaking crowd attendances. The future of AFL under Hird rules is . . daring, exciting and progressive!!

The Hird model is designed to pioneer an important concept: the maximization of human performance.

Of course it is risky for any player to be used as a guinea pig, but the Hird model will help the future of all humanity by speeding up evolution a thousand fold. Yes, evolution can be cruel with many losers, but the few winners go on to lead and propagate. The Hird model ensures the AFL will survive . . and it's surviving players will propagate . . and their progeny will become the dominant sporting species on planet earth . . and will rule for a thousand years . . and the name of Hird will be immortal!!

Amen(dola)

[daisycutter 29,735]

you'll get no argument from ch7 and foxtel

[felixdacat 459]

http://m.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/patrick-smith-opinion-time-to-move-on-james-hird/story-e6frg7uo-1227202811849?sv=b8f77a6f118e18a17e12149e3b2af971#.VMvwCP7wZe8.twitter

cut out the heading text and paste it into google

this should get you past the paywall.....worked for me

Very good opinion piece, love the comments from readers you can pick the die hard Hird Family/Friends/Fans.

[sue 9,140]

I cannot believe that some of our so-called AFL journos are as bad as they seem. MR is the classic case.

I can only believe that they are totally dedicated to 'sales' over real reporting (which makes them extremely bad journalists of course, so scratch the first sentence). On the 'sales' approach, they write rubbish that will appease the worried souls of EFC supporters and be gobbled up eagerly by them. The rest of us ether ignore it or get outraged, but it does the HUN no harm.

Edited January 31, 2015 by sue

[Dees2014 2,377]

I cannot believe that some of our so-called AFL journos are as bad as they seem. I can only believe that they are totally dedicated to 'sales' over real reporting (which makes them extremely bad of course, so scratch the first sentence). On the 'sales' approach, they write rubbish that will appease the worried souls of EFC supporters and be gobbled up eagerly by them. The rest of us ether ignore it or get outraged, but it does the HUN no harm.

I think there is an element of marketing in this - have both points of view (as the Age does) but Murdoch is different. The person who runs the new demerged newspaper business globally is an ESSENDON frantic as WJ pointed out not long ago. I think that is instructive as to why the most powerful news organisation in the country is so ridiculously biased towards Essendon with the very honourable exception of Patrick Smith. Basically it is an indulgence by News - one of the few issues in which Murdoch will have no personal interest.

[Macca 17,032]

It's not just Essendon supporters who are being appeased ... a large percentage of non Essendon supporters are (or at least have been) in protective mode. That thinking is changing but from the get-go the outrage was coming from a loud (ish) minority.

If this was the Chinese swimming team, Bulgarian weightlifters, road cyclists, Russian middle distance runners or American sprinters, the condemnation would have been widespread from most Australians right from the very start (in my opinion) The media would have reflected that thinking.

The Melbourne media know deep down that Aussie rules fans don't want this issue and they'd prefer if it all just went away. Now, we as individual demon fans might think differently but do we speak on behalf of the large majority?

As usual, the media are telling the large majority what they want to hear. The brand has been protected for the most part and too many have too many vested interests for there to be widespread condemnation. Most people I spoke to when this whole issue came out were defensive and were basically dismissing the issue. Now, after slowly changing their minds, they're sick of hearing about it.

The Americans think in much the same way about their major sports (with regards to PED's) Their 4 big sports are almost certainly rife with PED use but they'd rather not know about it. The same could be said about soccer ... people are much the same all over.

Hopefully the whole truth will eventually surface but I'm not sure that will happen.

[Sir Why You Little 37,125]

James just maybe what you did with Dank was unlawful

Ever thought of that....?

The Essendon list was bigger and stronger than other clubs at the time. Bones were broken.

This is how the story emerged. Opposition players & coaches got very angry and made enquiries.

This is from a very close source at Carlton who was part of that enquiry process. It happened.

"Get me the good stuff (Dank) We are playing Carlton this week"

You wanted to gain an UNFAIR ADVANTAGE...didn't you...

This text came from your phone James. I read it and others via ABC 7.30 Report contacts..

And you still want to take this to the High Court and continue compromising the people's game??

In one respect i hope you keep your job so you can feel and hear the hatred and vitriol aimed at you weekly, the public will not forgive you James.

On the other hand i would prefer to see the legal profession break you & show you up to be the tainted sportsman you really are.

I despise you James Turd & your gutless club....

End rant. I feel better

[jnrmac 20,185]

I think his lawyers have a deluded fool for a client ...

A decidedly poorer fool.......

[jnrmac 20,185]

Now that the Federal Court has spoken (and done so in a clear and unambiguous way), it's time to get back to the topic of dealing with alleged drug cheats and to this little piece of nonsense of yesterday morning from the Herald Sun's chief football writer:-

Essendon players could boycott NAB Challenge games if AFL dont backdate anti-doping bans

What does this concept of "provisional suspension" mean in the crazy world of an AFL which fines clubs for employing people who tell bad jokes?

Mr Magic (on Saintsational's "Essendope" thread) asks the same question:-

Quote

Banned from training at the Club - no

Banned from attending at the Club - no

Banned from receiving advice from Club officials - no

Banned from attending Club functions - no

Banned from receiving tuition in any aspect from the Club - no

Banned from representing the Club at events/functions - no

Banned from receiving payments - no

Banned from representing the Club at media functions - no

Banned from receiving treatment from Club doctors/trainers/physios/specialists - no

Banned from attending AFL sanctioned Club Community Camps - no

Banned from receiving official Club uniforms/merchandise - no

Banned from representing the Club in games - who knows? There are no games during this period of pre-season

So what are they actually "provisionally suspended" from?

There can only be one answer and that is that everything to do with the AFL and Essendon is provisionally suspended from reality.

Banned from playing for Australia? - NO

Unbelievable. ' oh but the players have been punished enough' Really? FMD

[Moonshadow 17,677]

cut out the heading text and paste it into google

this should get you past the paywall.....worked for me

No heading text comes up on an iPad, just the subscription info. Can you pls post a link to it on google? Thanks

[Dr. Gonzo 24,287]

If EFC are going sack Hird then it must be in regard to a specific failure to perform in accordance with his current contract arranged in 2013.

The suspensions of the players by the tribunal are in respect of their violations of ASADA regulations.

Hird's failure was part of an overall failure by the EFC and is Board not to implement an appropriate governance framework over the football dept including the proper formalisation of key responsibilities and accountabilities for senior football dept personnel including Hird Thompson and Reid.

Given what has transpired the EFC Board including Paul Little, Hird Thonpson and Reid should not be involved in football or in sport. The lack of governance protocols have muddied proper lines of responsibility and accountability such that in a major disaster it is not clear who is specifically accountable.

And there in lies the challenge with Hirds position. Despite the best efforts of the village torch hunt to hang him high & dry for at best an implied responsibility, there is a lack of clear and sustainable basis to sack him Hird without triggering a massive counter legal action and prolonged PR and media war which EFC (and the AFL) could well do without.

I don't see the suspensions representing more than the formalisation of penalties in respect of activities we have been aware of for nearly 2 years.

I dont get this. Since when have professional sports clubs needed a reason to sack anyone let alone a coach?

[Longsufferingnomore 1,637]

I dont get this. Since when have professional sports clubs needed a reason to sack anyone let alone a coach?

When the "sackee" has so much info on the "sacker" that he has become untouchable. Unfortunately for this "sackee" he is now virtually untouchable as an AFL coach for obvious other reasons.

[daisycutter 29,735]

No heading text comes up on an iPad, just the subscription info. Can you pls post a link to it on google? Thanks

"patrick smith opinion time to move on james hird"

should come up on ipad at top of browser when you click link

but i know it is difficult to manipulate text on a tablet

[old dee 23,871]

I dont get this. Since when have professional sports clubs needed a reason to sack anyone let alone a coach?

Perhaps it is more about the size of the pay out than anything else.

If the EFC put a foot wrong Tania will have them in court before the day ends.

[daisycutter 29,735]

I dont get this. Since when have professional sports clubs needed a reason to sack anyone let alone a coach?

we are not talking about a mere mortal here doc

and it is doubtful whether the term "professional sports club" describes essendung

[daisycutter 29,735]

Perhaps it is more about the size of the pay out than anything else.

If the EFC put a foot wrong Tania will have them in court before the day ends.

yes, her legal advice has been top shelf so far, od

[Moonshadow 17,677]

Like this quote from the Ziggy Switkowski inquiry which Hird rejected...

“…the rapid diversification into exotic supplements, sharp increase in frequency of injections, the shift to treatment offsite in alternative medicine clinics, emergence of unfamiliar suppliers, marginalisation of traditional medical staff etc combine to create a disturbing picture of a pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or challenged or documented within the club in the period under review”.

And this from an Essendon internal review!

[felixdacat 459]

I dont get this. Since when have professional sports clubs needed a reason to sack anyone let alone a coach?

I have argued this previously also most employment contract have a clause relating to both either parties who wish to resolve the contract can do so. I beleive that the EFC realise if they do so the payout will be huge especially if it is correct about the $6m contract. But I also believe EFC will need to await for an adverse finding from the Tribunal so they can sack Hird without having to pay out the contract in full. As ceasation of the contract due to mismanagement or misconduct would be easier to defend if (when) Hird sues them for loss of earning blah blah blah.

Any hoo...others have alluded to the fact that Hird has "Goat Pictures" I think its more logically due to $$$$. But I prefer the comedy and tragedy of "Goat Pictures"

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

And they still train, they still expect to participate in the NAB cup.. They really do deserve maximum penalties, their arrogance in the face of the evidence against them is mind-blowing!

When are the penalties officially handed down?