THE ESSENDON 34: ON TRIAL

[Sir Why You Little 34,443]

Mr Leg, yourself and Mr Whispering deserve a knighthood for services rendered to this very thread.

Your legal knowledge has put the majority of the media to shame.

I keep hearing references lauding Chip LeGrand...Why?

His reporting has been extremely patchy

You guys as well as Dees2014 would rip these journalists to shreds

I wish.

[jnrmac 18,954]

Happens a lot mate from all media sources.

A big Headline sells and Wilson as the Chief writer has to wear it. (The subby is totally anonymous..!)

I only vaguely remember the article and her sources may have been rock solid. A lot can change during a late night meeting as the paper is being printed.

Granted the Web has made the daily fish & chip wrapper almost redundant.

I know Caro and have no doubt that she was told he was gone by a source she considered reliable. You don;t last in that game by making stuff up. You go with your gut feeling about the source and you live or die metaphorically by the outcome.

[Sir Why You Little 34,443]

I know Caro and have no doubt that she was told he was gone by a source she considered reliable. You don;t last in that game by making stuff up. You go with your gut feeling about the source and you live or die metaphorically by the outcome.

Yep. And this time the source was blindsided.

[deanox 8,582]

I believe the decision is being handed down at 2.15 tomorrow

Jack Nial from the Age has reported that players remain on suspension while appeal is in process regardless of who appeals. No idea if that is right - just what he reported:

"The prospect of appeals from either ASADA or the players if they lose is another complication. Under the rules, the players would be unable to play during an appeal period if they were challenging suspensions."

Not sure you've interpreted that correctly.

Yes, either side can appeal.

And Under the rules, the players would be unable to play during an appeal period "if they were challenging suspensions".

[M_9 1,641]

Just read a damning (for players) post on Bigfooty that detailed the injection program (TB4).

The poster, when questioned, said it was part of ASADA's evidence to the tribunal that he had obtained from a player (present at the hearing I assume).

The poster realised what he had published and requested the mods remove it, which they promptly did, (before I could copy).

It may go viral (as predicted on Bf), but no forum could risk publishing it (contempt of court?)

[dworship 3,342]

More likely Caro was wrong and desperate for a story given Adrian Anderson was no longer leaking her stories and keeping her ahead of the game.

Whenever I hear statements about Journalist sources it makes me think, why is X passing this info on? In Caro's case I am even more perplexed!

[Wells 11 4,703]

Just read a damning (for players) post on Bigfooty that detailed the injection program (TB4).

The poster, when questioned, said it was part of ASADA's evidence to the tribunal that he had obtained from a player (present at the hearing I assume).

The poster realised what he had published and requested the mods remove it, which they promptly did, (before I could copy).

It may go viral (as predicted on Bf), but no forum could risk publishing it (contempt of court?)

Interesting. Can you recall any of what you read?

[M_9 1,641]

Re my post above:

From the Bf mod:Cleaned up a little chaps. Carry on, nothing to see here

From another poster: You couldn't have just waited till the GG got a little glimpse (GG is Bruce Francis who is a certifiable looney)

And from another poster: Well, I saw it. If that was genuine, then let's just say that ASADA's case isn't as weak as some would suggest. That was pretty rock solid.

[M_9 1,641]

Interesting. Can you recall any of what you read?

Gee. I was just gobsmacked. It was on page 117 of the Bruce Francis thread (now back to p116) with numerous posts deleted. The original poster had deleted their post but needed the mod to delete posts that had quoted him.

From memory it was 4 or 5 paragraphs, each numbered (4 digits) that I guess was an 'evidence sheet' for want of the correct term.

It detailed where the TB4 was sourced, who sourced it, who injected it and into which players it was injected. I think all names were redacted (xxxxxx sort of thing).

Like all other posters I couldn't believe what I was reading.

I could not have posted it here anyway.

[rjay 23,902]

Just read a damning (for players) post on Bigfooty that detailed the injection program (TB4).

The poster, when questioned, said it was part of ASADA's evidence to the tribunal that he had obtained from a player (present at the hearing I assume).

The poster realised what he had published and requested the mods remove it, which they promptly did, (before I could copy).

It may go viral (as predicted on Bf), but no forum could risk publishing it (contempt of court?)

...but it's not a court. As much as some media like posting the County Court, that's only the building the tribunal is using. It has nothing to do with the court apart from the building.

[biggestred 4,296]

http://m.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/essendon-players-could-boycott-nab-challenge-games-if-afl-backdates-anti-doping-bans/story-e6frf3e3-1227201050379

How good is the spin here?

[M_9 1,641]

Now the players say they will boycott the NAB games unless any backdating goes to last Sept.

Just one hurdle - they first have to be cleared to play before they can institute a boycott.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-players-could-boycott-nab-challenge-games-if-afl-backdates-anti-doping-bans/story-fndv8gad-1227201050379

[biggestred 4,296]

Clear us to play

But if you we wont play

I mean. Wtf.

[M_9 1,641]

...but it's not a court. As much as some media like posting the County Court, that's only the building the tribunal is using. It has nothing to do with the court apart from the building.

The poster, when asked, said the info he posted came from 'a current or former player'. I suspect there'd be ramifications for someone. The Bf mod had all traces removed pretty quickly. They'd know exactly what can and cannot be posted with well over six million posts to the forums.

[jnrmac 18,954]

Bring it on. The sh******** will rain down if they try that on. I assume the story has got 'credibility' if it comes from the mouthpiece but WTF are they thinking? They are so far up their own backsides and enjoying the view they have no semblance of the predicament they are facing. It is all of their own doing and I for one hope they go down in flames.

They deserve everything that is coming their way. Hird, the club, the players, Doc Reid, mark Robinson, Paul Little and 85% of their supporters.

[Ethan Tremblay 28,382]

Excuse my ignorance but weren't the players given the opportunity to enter a guilty plea and given a penalty which would have seen them able to play this season and by the NAB cup? Now, faced with suspension, are demanding if suspended, for it to be backdated?

Haven't they missed the whole point of a plea bargain?

I haven't been following the whole ordeal very closely, again apologies if I'm totally off the mark.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Ethan Tremblay 140

[rjay 23,902]

Now the players say they will boycott the NAB games unless any backdating goes to last Sept.

Just one hurdle - they first have to be cleared to play before they can institute a boycott.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-players-could-boycott-nab-challenge-games-if-afl-backdates-anti-doping-bans/story-fndv8gad-1227201050379

Well, I'm not sure it's a boycott as such but more of what Essendon want to happen and what the players perceive as a problem.

Of course if they play the NAB games then it is going to be harder to backdate past those games and whilst Essendon would like them to play the players are now starting to see the writing on the wall. Well at least their advisers are.

[JP_ 60]

I have a copy of the post that was made on BF if mods give me permission to post it.

Basically, presuming it's genuine, it would indicate that ASADA has concrete evidence and eyewitness testimony placing TB4 on the EFC premises, as well as the testimony of specific players that they were injected with TB4. It's only a summary, though, so it doesn't mention what that evidence is or who the witnesses are. Still, again presuming the post was genuine, and ASADA aren't overplaying their hand, at least some of the players are surely boned right now.

[rjay 23,902]

I have a copy of the post that was made on BF if mods give me permission to post it.

Basically, presuming it's genuine, it would indicate that ASADA has concrete evidence and eyewitness testimony placing TB4 on the EFC premises, as well as the testimony of specific players that they were injected with TB4. It's only a summary, though, so it doesn't mention what that evidence is or who the witnesses are. Still, again presuming the post was genuine, and ASADA aren't overplaying their hand, at least some of the players are surely boned right now.

...and that's why they are concerned about when their suspensions start.

[Sir Why You Little 34,443]

I have a copy of the post that was made on BF if mods give me permission to post it.

Nice work JP

[Dees2014 2,377]

Just read a damning (for players) post on Bigfooty that detailed the injection program (TB4).

The poster, when questioned, said it was part of ASADA's evidence to the tribunal that he had obtained from a player (present at the hearing I assume).

The poster realised what he had published and requested the mods remove it, which they promptly did, (before I could copy).

It may go viral (as predicted on Bf), but no forum could risk publishing it (contempt of court?)

Yes I have had some details of what was tabled in the Tribunal from an independant source (not Bigfooty). Apparently it is utterly damning, and paints Hird and the Essendon hierarchy in extremely poor light, and a playing group leaderless and largely compliant. ASADA have been very smart in releasing only a small fraction of the information publicly and let Hird's publicity machine roll on relentlessly so they and their tame journalists will be utterly discredited when the truth is finally revealed. We have to remember this evidence has been examined by at least three independant Judges, one appointed by the Federal Government when there were many in the Liberal Party and their fellow travellers in News Limited who wanted to kill it. In all cases they confirmed ASADA had a very strong case and the prosecution should proceed. I can't think of stronger evidence that the Hirds are staggeringly delusional.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Dees2014

[bing181 8,165]

Still, again presuming the post was genuine, and ASADA aren't overplaying their hand, at least some of the players are surely boned right now.

Not the first info from "the other side" to suggest as much. I posted a copy from another post from BF from a week or so back in the same vein as the above. According to that, at least some of the players have been told to expect penalties based on the fact that ASADA have all the info they need to place TB4 at Essendon (and more).

[Uncle Fester 2,835]

I have a copy of the post that was made on BF if mods give me permission to post it.

Basically, presuming it's genuine, it would indicate that ASADA has concrete evidence and eyewitness testimony placing TB4 on the EFC premises, as well as the testimony of specific players that they were injected with TB4. It's only a summary, though, so it doesn't mention what that evidence is or who the witnesses are. Still, again presuming the post was genuine, and ASADA aren't overplaying their hand, at least some of the players are surely boned right now.

PM's are wonderful things

[ManDee 7,077]

Thanks Red

Yes Nutbag Abbott gave me the knighthood.

I didn't ask for it, but it does look nice!!

Edit: At least i am an Australian Citizen!!

Can you wear it during the day? Or is it another euphemism for a French letter?

[Lucifers Hero 37,008]

Not sure you've interpreted that correctly.

Yes, either side can appeal.

And Under the rules, the players would be unable to play during an appeal period "if they were challenging suspensions".

Yes, a better interpretation.

Given the article this morning that players will 'boycott NAB cup if AFL do not guarantee suspensions are not backdated to September' strongly suggests they expect suspension as penalties. So they either:

- wear them and cannot play for suspension duration, or

- appeal and they cannot play while under appeal

If suspended I reckon the players won't appeal (sorry Dees2014) as the appeal may take longer than the suspension time.

So, expect a depleted bombers team for some time in 2015!! Justice will finally be done (and seen to be done) I hope.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Lucifer's Hero