THE ESSENDON 34: ON TRIAL

[Gorgoroth 12,337]

Just got flogged by 50 points, Hirdy forgot the "good stuff"

[Willmoy1947 3,808]

Thanks H H I have done my duty....

[Crompton's the man 635]

Got to be a Good Thing to have Uncle Kev in the next room under the collective roof just in case a meteor hit anyone of note.

Who knows?

Post-meteor he could change rooms and put on a new hat.

[Dees2014 2,377]

When is a practice game not a practice game?

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/collingwood-president-eddie-mcguire-believes-st-kilda-would-be-filthy-about-essendons-training-session-with-williamstown-20150305-13vy4d.html

"Radio station 3AW revealed that Essendon have invited Williamstown to their Tullamarine base on Friday night for a joint training session that would involve "match simulation". The session has been reportedly been approved by the AFL.

The 25 players still at Essendon who were on the club's list in 2012 are sitting out the AFL's pre-season circuit to protect the anonymity of the provisionally-suspended players among them who were caught up in the supplement scandal.

Essendon have stressed that the session would not serve as a practice match – if it did, the Bombers would risk having the backdated period for potential suspensions to its players - from the anti-doping tribunal - begin on Friday night rather than September 2014."

This beggars belief! Are there any more ways in which Essendon and the players can give ASADA the "up yours' all with the AFL's blessing. There is no way these guys deserve backdating penalties for any reason let alone for 'co-operation'. Arrogance personified!

Edit: I wonder if they play 3 'match simulation' sessions coinciding roughly with the 3 NAB games whether ASADA will then deem them to be practice games anyway. Knowing how cunning EFC have been they will probably skip one to avoid this inference.

I don't think we should get upset about this at all. It merely means when the sentences are finally handed out by CAS that they will be all the more severe, with no backdating whatsoever. We should be pleased about that!

[Dees2014 2,377]

Is there anyone out there who thinks that the AFL is not looking for a soft penalty for the EFC?

After letting yesterday's game go ahead they are convicted by their actions.

Wet tram tickets are on the way.

I have no doubt the AFL would like to negotiate a soft outcome to "protect" the competition. Ultimately though it will be taken out of there hands, where there will be no wet tram tickets on offer. For once, the AFL will be irrelevant here. Edited March 8, 2015 by Dees2014

[robbiefrom13 877]

Essendon neither complied nor co-operated, and that must irritate ASADA/WADA. Not just the infractions, but the unrepentant and aggrievedly names-calling attitude of "leave us alone, ok?"

What would happen I wonder if ASADA/WADA got to the point of recognising that a governing body such as the AFL has an increasingly similar attitude?

It does appear that the laws about drugs in sport mainly target rogue individuals, not endemic abuse on the scale of Essendon's. Where a whole sport is under management that is not particularly affronted by drug cheating, and wishes to be left alone for business as usual, what must ASADA/WADA do? What sanctions exist - and what power to impose them? I'm talking about law-breaking on the scale of Gandhi's civil disobedience or Islamic State's disregard for the norms of a civilised social contract. Shameless and self-righteous and widespread. Police have to walk away...

And, in such a scenario of top-down tolerance of drug-cheating, the governing body tut-tutting publicly but colluding privately, running the place with a mix of self-licensing multi-national-style non-accountability and pie-night indulgence of misbehaviour, what would "clean" clubs in that sport have to do? What would sports-lovers opposed to drug-cheating do?

First, the target has been the players, when actually the real problem was the club. But what if the underlying problem is not even the club, but the League?

Edited March 7, 2015 by robbiefrom13

[sue 8,463]

The pressures on the AFL that are discussed in this article suggest that the AFL cannot afford to get things wrong about drugs. A long drawn out international battle may be a disaster. Maybe the wet tram ticket will at least be dried out first.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/a-giant-of-the-game-wayne-carey-passes-judgment-on-the-afls-big-problem-20150307-13wykm.html

[Crompton's the man 635]

Got to be a Good Thing to have Uncle Kev in the next room under the collective roof at Bombtown just in case a meteor hit anyone of note

Who knows?

Post-meteor he could become Big Kev and could change rooms and put on a new hat.

[Dr John Dee 1,057]

The pressures on the AFL that are discussed in this article suggest that the AFL cannot afford to get things wrong about drugs. A long drawn out international battle may be a disaster. Maybe the wet tram ticket will at least be dried out first.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/a-giant-of-the-game-wayne-carey-passes-judgment-on-the-afls-big-problem-20150307-13wykm.html

Thanks for the link Sue. It's a bit of a digression from the main focus here, but I agree: if the AFL knock any more spots off their image or damage the reputation of the game through inept or cynical handling of the EFC debacle it will only be the beginning of a serious decline.

The Cronulla case was minor in comparison, but it has also been swept up pretty effectively by the NRL (co-operation with ASADA through the players' plea bargaining especially has been a keystone) and it's pretty much business as usual (the usual assault charges, some slightly novel recreational drug issues that don't surprise anyone etc). They may not have seen the A League coming either but at the moment they seem better placed to weather it. The NSW-Qld rivalry inflects their game in ways that the AFL can only dream of, and from my experience on the border between the two it's not just about the state of origin series.

Edit: And probably should have added that meanwhile the AFLPA seems determined not only to kill the goose but to scramble the golden egg as well.

[Melbman2 226]

Thanks for the link Sue. It's a bit of a digression from the main focus here, but I agree: if the AFL knock any more spots off their image or damage the reputation of the game through inept or cynical handling of the EFC debacle it will only be the beginning of a serious decline.

The Cronulla case was minor in comparison, but it has also been swept up pretty effectively by the NRL (co-operation with ASADA through the players' plea bargaining especially has been a keystone) and it's pretty much business as usual (the usual assault charges, some slightly novel recreational drug issues that don't surprise anyone etc). They may not have seen the A League coming either but at the moment they seem better placed to weather it. The NSW-Qld rivalry inflects their game in ways that the AFL can only dream of, and from my experience on the border between the two it's not just about the state of origin series.

Edit: And probably should have added that meanwhile the AFLPA seems determined not only to kill the goose but to scramble the golden egg as well.

The AFL left the suburbs in Victoria and created a vacuum. This WILL bite them in the long run.

VFL park serving the eastern suburbs gone so that vested interests could get a slice of the deals on offer at Docklands is the one that really annoys me. Greed is taking its toll and will continue to do so.

\rant

[Willmoy1947 3,808]

Replay the first 8 games from season 2012 for Essendon.

In fact just replay them running out onto the ground in those games and then say to yourself whether

this mob are found guilty or not doesn't matter in so far as the Bomber Brand and regretably "inter alia" with the AFL and Brownlow has already been found irrevocably damaged.

[Whispering_Jack 28,025]

I've always maintained that if found guilty, the very best the Essendon players could possibly hope for is an 18 month suspension backdated to the date of the infraction notices. This would be consistent with the Ahmed Saad penalty which sounds just about right to me given the level of co-operation Saad gave when he was charged. A six month reduced penalty which seems to have been discussed extensively in the media would surely be a joke.

As for the recent meeting between Gillon McLaughlin and the delegation of Essendon players while the AFL Tribunal was still in the deliberation phase, it was totally inappropriate and another example of the AFL treating the competition with utter contempt.

[beelzebub 22,269]

What he saad ^^^^^!!!!!

[Whispering_Jack 28,025]

On the thread listing, if you click where it says "xxxx replies", it brings up a list.

The centurions and double-centurion:

Member name Posts

beelzebub 282

ManDee 149

old dee 125

daisycutter 125

Dees2014 105

jnrmac 104

Edit: Looking at the list, this is my first contribution. Damn. Did so well in keeping my nose clean.

Yes, but what does it mean?

After all, this is a forum and people are welcome to post as much or as little as they like about any subject they like as long as they don't get caught out offending against the code of conduct.

Therefore, the volume of posting can only mean that the poster retains nothing more sinister than a strong interest on a particular subject - surely?

My good friend Redleg, who I otherwise regard as completely sane and level headed, has posted 2,703 times on the No T$ No B$ Thread.

What does that make him if not an avid believer in everything in the world other than Tom Scully and bullsh1t?

[Redleg 37,909]

Yes, but what does it mean?

After all, this is a forum and people are welcome to post as much or as little as they like about any subject they like as long as they don't get caught out offending against the code of conduct.

Therefore, the volume of posting can only mean that the poster retains nothing more sinister than a strong interest on a particular subject - surely?

My good friend Redleg, who I otherwise regard as completely sane and level headed, has posted 2,703 times on the No T$ No B$ Thread.

What does that make him if not an avid believer in everything in the world other than Tom Scully and bullsh1t?

Thank you WJ.

So as not to ignore other threads, let me say on here, I think we will have the Tribunal decision in the next fortnight.

Spoke to one of the the Tribunal members, who assured me they were working very hard to get the correct decision given, ASAP.

The amount of material they have to go through is massive.

[biggestred 4,357]

Thank you WJ.

So as not to ignore other threads, let me say on here, I think we will have the Tribunal decision in the next fortnight.

Spoke to one of the the Tribunal members, who assured me they were working very hard to get the correct decision given, ASAP.

The amount of material they have to go through is massive.

Any hints as to what you think the decision will be?

[beelzebub 22,269]

Red...and I ask seriously. What are the parameters leading to "correct" ...as you read it ?

[John Crow Batty 8,285]

Thank you WJ.

So as not to ignore other threads, let me say on here, I think we will have the Tribunal decision in the next fortnight.

Spoke to one of the the Tribunal members, who assured me they were working very hard to get the correct decision given, ASAP.

The amount of material they have to go through is massive.

Working hard to get the correct decision? I imagine there are several different outcomes possible depending on the slant the tribunal has been directed to find. I am sure a decision has been already worked out. Edited March 8, 2015 by america de cali

[Ted Lasso 16,968]

Working hard to get the correct decision? I imagine there are several different outcomes possible depending on the slant the tribunal has been directed to find. I am sure a decision has been already worked out.

I reckon alot of the evidence would have been circumstantial, probably makes it a really tough decision

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Trying to find that fine line between appearing to be the disciplinary authoritive figure they should be, and being heavy handed enough to keep the competition running smoothly, and WADA at bay, takes time I'd imagine.

Just de-register the drug fiends so we can dance and [censored] on their grave already, FFS

[Red and Bluebeard 2,044]

Yes, but what does it mean?

After all, this is a forum and people are welcome to post as much or as little as they like about any subject they like as long as they don't get caught out offending against the code of conduct.

Therefore, the volume of posting can only mean that the poster retains nothing more sinister than a strong interest on a particular subject - surely?

My good friend Redleg, who I otherwise regard as completely sane and level headed, has posted 2,703 times on the No T$ No B$ Thread.

What does that make him if not an avid believer in everything in the world other than Tom Scully and bullsh1t?

Is that the same thread that you have posted on 548 times WJ? Does that make you about 20% of the believer that Redleg is?

[Whispering_Jack 28,025]

Is that the same thread that you have posted on 548 times WJ? Does that make you about 20% of the believer that Redleg is?

I'm a moderator so I'm obliged to get on there from time to time to make sure the lads are behaving. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother with the thread at all because, deep down I believe Tom is a virtuous soul who has been much misunderstood by the Demon faithful. As you can see from his form since he left Melbourne, he did us an enormous favour when he jumped ship. I also think his dad needs a good meal.

[Cards13 9,117]

Thank you WJ.

So as not to ignore other threads, let me say on here, I think we will have the Tribunal decision in the next fortnight.

Spoke to one of the the Tribunal members, who assured me they were working very hard to get the correct decision given, ASAP.

The amount of material they have to go through is massive.

Thanks RL, the correct descision. Will the level of suspension reflect a correct descision?

[Nasher 33,133]

Yes, but what does it mean?

After all, this is a forum and people are welcome to post as much or as little as they like about any subject they like as long as they don't get caught out offending against the code of conduct.

Therefore, the volume of posting can only mean that the poster retains nothing more sinister than a strong interest on a particular subject - surely?

My good friend Redleg, who I otherwise regard as completely sane and level headed, has posted 2,703 times on the No T$ No B$ Thread.

What does that make him if not an avid believer in everything in the world other than Tom Scully and bullsh1t?

I'm not suggesting it means anything. Someone asked how to get the numbers, so I provided them.

[Red and Bluebeard 2,044]

I'm a moderator so I'm obliged to get on there from time to time to make sure the lads are behaving. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother with the thread at all because, deep down I believe Tom is a virtuous soul who has been much misunderstood by the Demon faithful. As you can see from his form since he left Melbourne, he did us an enormous favour when he jumped ship. I also think his dad needs a good meal.

Didn't realise you are also an expert on alpacas ... :)