Melbourne v Essendon - NAB Challenge - 20 March, 2015

[AzzKikA 2,369]

I swear, the first person who blames any losses this season on missing this Essendon match will be tared and feathered by me.

[Wrecker45 3,378]

I don't think it will happen! You'll be safely able to go watch Freo's B team beat us. Freo Oval, should be nice.

If only we were playing their C team so we could give it Sylvia.

[ManDee 7,076]

So to protect the identities of the 17 provisionally suspended players, the EFC are prepared to risk besmirching the reputations of the 7 or 8 innocent players.

If you were one of the 7 or 8 that through fear of needles or suspicion of legality of program you chose not to partake in the "voluntary" injection program and were being viewed by the general public as a possible cheat, wouldn't you think it unfair to be dubbed a drug cheat?

If it was a voluntary program and at least 7 players chose not to partake doesn't that further damn the 34 players for being involved. No peer pressure no ramifications, the 7 just chose not to do it and the 34 with eyes wide open went for it.

Gobsmacked again.

Guilty

[The Chazz 4,077]

Slightly off topic (something that rarely happens on Demonland, so I apologise in advance), but can someone explain this to me;

WHY THE FCUK DO YOU PRE-BUY NAB CHALLENGE TICKETS???

Back on topic;

I hate Essendon.

That is all. Thank you.

[beelzebub 22,225]

The risk for the AFL is that now that the curmudgeon has spoken, it might find the public start to support Essendon again just to spite Malthouse.

I truly believe the only ones with any sympathies for Essendon....are already Essendon

Now push is coming to shove the rest of the teams are starting to get their collective backs up ,and not before time.

Essendon has been bully boy long enough

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I swear, the first person who blames any losses this season on missing this Essendon match will be tared and feathered by me.

I've already started using it as an excuse.

[AzzKikA 2,369]

I was going to do some photo shopping with your head on a tarred and feathered body but lost interest after 10 seconds, consider this a warning.

[binman 37,966]

Ive got no problem ( nice of me I know ) with the scumbags on notice not playing the NAB cup.. If it were you, would you ? I doubt it. However I would hope the AFL compel its contractees not so conflicted to play . There should be no opportunity to allow those who are under notice to hide behind those that arent. There is an obligation of the players and the club to represent themselves.

Grow some Gill

I agree Since when do professional athletes get to decide if they opt out of a scheduled game?

Those that are provisionally suspended should not be able to play, full stop but why do the others who were at the club in 2012 and didn't get jabbed get this option ? It is plain bad luck (and of course a consequence of the clubs decision to go to the high court or for that matter not cutting a deal 2 years back) for them that there is not an outcome yet.

If that means that the charged players (who have already been identified mind you) have their identities revealed then tough luck.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Simple lack of respect- lack of respect for their team mates, their supporters, their peers, other club's supporters, the competition, sponsors, and a lack of common decency. To hide behind your teammates who were decent and smart enough to not seek illegitimate gains. I hate hate hate this club so much right now, and it is just a thing of beauty and so justified that in T minus some time, they are going to be more irrelevant than any other sporting organisation in the history of sports, worldwide!

[Redleg 37,556]

I've already started using it as an excuse.

I have used it as an excuse for last year's losses.

[Dwight Schrute 16,749]

If the AFL want to sit on their hands and do nothing while Essendon continue to make them look like a joke, that's totally up to them but they could at the very least give us an opponent, throw the Saints at us! they will be up for it

[Pennant St Dee 11,257]

Slightly off topic (something that rarely happens on Demonland, so I apologise in advance), but can someone explain this to me;

WHY THE FCUK DO YOU PRE-BUY NAB CHALLENGE TICKETS???

Back on topic;

I hate Essendon.

That is all. Thank you.

I have pre-bought mine vs Freo because although members get free entry, Fremantle Oval only holds 15k and the tickets went on sale to the general public a couple of weeks ago.

The rule is if they don't sell out then members of both clubs rock up on the day and can gain free entry.

Given it's 6 months since the season finished and Freo have 45k members I didn't want to take the risk

[DeeSpencer 23,113]

So to protect the identities of the 17 provisionally suspended players, the EFC are prepared to risk besmirching the reputations of the 7 or 8 innocent players.

If you were one of the 7 or 8 that through fear of needles or suspicion of legality of program you chose not to partake in the "voluntary" injection program and were being viewed by the general public as a possible cheat, wouldn't you think it unfair to be dubbed a drug cheat?

If it was a voluntary program and at least 7 players chose not to partake doesn't that further damn the 34 players for being involved. No peer pressure no ramifications, the 7 just chose not to do it and the 34 with eyes wide open went for it.

Gobsmacked again.

Guilty

I think you've answered your own question.

In order to protect the image of the club and the theory that the players were led in to following a rogue individual they continue to lump all players from 2012 in together. Once you realise that only 34 have been charged you then know 10 didn't partake. Or from current numbers at the club it's 18 and 8 or whatever it is.

The confidentiality is a huge myth being used to try to avoid playing useless practice matches with half a team and fill ins, whilst also protecting the narrative above.

The hope for the Melbourne game being on comes from 2 things:

1. The case SHOULD be decided by then

2. Even if it's not, the proposed round 1 team that Essendon plan to field (whoever it includes) really does need a practice match by then.

That's not true when it comes to the Giants and Saints games v Essendon.

[Maggot 1977 263]

I have pre-bought mine vs Freo because although members get free entry, Fremantle Oval only holds 15k and the tickets went on sale to the general public a couple of weeks ago.

The rule is if they don't sell out then members of both clubs rock up on the day and can gain free entry.

Given it's 6 months since the season finished and Freo have 45k members I didn't want to take the risk

Pennant St Dee,

Sound logic , what did they set you back ? I will be there also

[Ethan Tremblay 28,358]

Pennant St Dee,

Sound logic , what did they set you back ? I will be there also

Also purchased 2 tickets, $16 each.

[biggestred 4,281]

theyve agreed to use fill in players apparently.

[old dee 22,848]

theyve agreed to use fill in players apparently.

What is the source biggestred?

[biggestred 4,281]

its all over twitter. not sure how to share a link here.

therell be an article soon enough

[old dee 22,848]

Thank you

[Jaded No More 57,784]

Imagine if we lose that match....

[1 red eye 1 blue eye 754]

Pennant St Dee,

Sound logic , what did they set you back ? I will be there also

They cost me $6 for a member and a ticket for a mate $18

[rpfc 27,436]

Imagine if we lose that match....

Odd use of Roos there...

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Imagine if we lose that match....

Sadly, it's not that hard to invisage..

Two years ago it'd have been even money.

[jnrmac 18,948]

A 149 point flogging would be worth it.....

[binman 37,966]

In the Hun there is an article confirming use of top up players and games going ahead. Article is by Mick Warner (nuff said). Loved the final line:

'And classy onballer Brendon Goddard ran two laps and then a series of sprints along the boundary line during the final workout that reiterated the Bombers are ready to go when the issues are resolved.'