I don't think so.

As an aside, I cannot bear to even look at Hird now. I change channel when he is on.

I always understood that to be a pre-requisite for anyone posting here!

According to Patrick Smith the AFL has identified 3 areas of the WADA code for review: confidentiality, delays and appeals with which ASADA generally agrees and the AFL is seeking NRL to get on board. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/afl-lays-out-areas-of-drug-code-in-need-of-review/story-e6frg7uo-1227294833341 Lets hope sanity prevails and that Smith's suggestion (like that of many on DL) eventuates. "While it is yet to be considered by the AFL, there is increasing support for Australia to have just one independent national tribunal that would hear all doping cases brought against players or support staff...It would immediately streamline the processes that so bogged down the Essendon case. And its independence would be unchallenged. While the integrity of the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal is not in question, the panel falls under the authority of the league. As does the Appeals tribunal. Perception is everything".

Its the only option that makes sense not only for 'justice being seen to be done' but also to have consistency across sports in Australia. I would go one step further and change it from a Tribunal to a proper court of law; our version of CAS. The AAS, which would overcome all the issues of evidence, oath, proof, (lack of) precedence, subpoena's etc etc. of Tribunals ala the EFC farce.

While they are at it change the ASADA rules so it can get and use (in a courtroom) info from other bodies eg AFP.

I want to vomit.

Reminder of the WADA contact form. No room for cheats in the AFL or any sport

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/contact-us

Gosh it'd be great timing if ASADA chose tomorrow to announce an appeal.

It's going to be insufferable listening to the media this week.

Reminder of the WADA contact form. No room for cheats in the AFL or any sport

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/contact-us

Has anybody actually recieved any email back from WADA.????

This is the problem. If you take PH drugs, the effects last for years. They are still bigger and stronger as a result of what they are presumed to have taken.

It is wrong on every level.

It's mindboggling to me that a team of drug cheats is being painted as inspiring and "brave" by the media.

There's a serious cultural problem in Australia, where a blind eye is turned to cheating. They should be torn to shreds, but their clout and connections (politically and in the media) prevents it. Disturbing and perverse.

Has anybody actually recieved any email back from WADA.????

not I

Has anybody actually recieved any email back from WADA.????

Posts a bit slow up here....

An absolute indictment and travesty on the game that the people that implemented an injecting regime where they cannot produce any documentation of what players were given can be allowed to remain in the game. I have no problem with the players not being banned, but FFS how those in power can allow the reputation of the game to be trashed by allowing Hird and Co to continue on is beyond me. The end result is the game suffers and pecuniary interests always win out against what is morally right - reprehensible.

It's mindboggling to me that a team of drug cheats is being painted as inspiring and "brave" by the media.

There's a serious cultural problem in Australia, where a blind eye is turned to cheating. They should be torn to shreds, but their clout and connections (politically and in the media) prevents it. Disturbing and perverse.

And the pijcks still get the ANZAC game...I will puke if / when these guys are put forward as "heroes " on that day. Absolutely puke.

It's mindboggling to me that a team of drug cheats is being painted as inspiring and "brave" by the media.

There's a serious cultural problem in Australia, where a blind eye is turned to cheating. They should be torn to shreds, but their clout and connections (politically and in the media) prevents it.

Disturbing and perverse.

Breathtakingly so!

And the pijcks still get the ANZAC game...I will puke if / when these guys are put forward as "heroes " on that day. Absolutely puke.

I've always had an issue with these games for a number of reasons, the symbology of comparing a game of football to the sacrifices people make in fighting for their country is so trite. It's a commercial venture... I just wish the RSL could have been stronger and come out and called a spade a spade and preserved the solemnity of the day.

On current form, Essendon are shoe-ins to win against Collingwood.

Frightening.

And the pijcks still get the ANZAC game...I will puke if / when these guys are put forward as "heroes " on that day. Absolutely puke.

This actually sickens me. The anithesis of EVERYTHING surely that the Anzacs are about.

Strangely. .everything the AFL..is about !!

wonder when the tribunal gives their decision on dank - hasn't seemed to garner much comment anywhere

wonder when the tribunal gives their decision on dank - hasn't seemed to garner much comment anywhere

The day after ASADA's window for appeal closes.

wonder when the tribunal gives their decision on dank - hasn't seemed to garner much comment anywhere

afl too hard basket...bunch of ....

AFL

Just waiting for WADA to take over for mine.

Afl is about business. Wada about integrity. Like oil and water really.

Did anybody notice Channel 7's commentary today which had so many tags leading us to believe that the Essendon players have inspirationally overcome their associated difficulties from all the legal disputes and accusations lowered against them? I think Dennis Cometti said, "It’s so great to see them getting back to their day jobs". The general sentiment from the commentary box was that the team has played no pre-season matches and they're winning because they're all top blokes. The Essendon Football Club and its players are rapidly becoming the darlings of the AFL. Why would anybody lead us to believe this?

There’s clearly an AFL strategy agreed to by the Commission, State and Federal Governments, the Player's Association, sponsors, media, the Essendon Football Club and the Essendon players to collectively protect the football code against drug cheating allegations. By successfully doing so, Australia’s sporting reputation, individual sporting reputations and all the revenue that comes with the value of these reputations, including the sale of television rights, match day attendance, interest in the game and player payments will be saved. There are far greater things at stake than making an example of an errant football team and a bunch of naïve, ‘stand up guys’. This scandal started with obvious collaboration between the AFL and the Essendon Football Club and that's the way it will end. Let's be clear, any ASADA appeal (if it comes) will fail. The AFL Anti-Doping Code will be rewritten before WADA can take action (making them irrelevant) and we can all get back to our day jobs and do what we love doing the most which is "getting on with the footy". There’s nothing to see here people. Essendon is in the clear. Coaches, players and staff (and the AFL) have gotten away with it. AFL drug cheating... pfft.. get over it. There's no such thing. The dog ate my database.

Channel 7 . News AFL EFC

Obviously in for a bit of a shock !!!

Channel 7 . News AFL EFC

Obviously in for a bit of a shock !!!

please explain

Cheats do prosper

This is the problem. If you take PH drugs, the effects last for years. They are still bigger and stronger as a result of what they are presumed to have taken.

It is wrong on every level.

Yeah, have to agree.

Wasn't it Hird that wanted to get faster results or something along those lines. By getting the players stronger, quicker they set them up well ahead of other players who do not take PH drugs.

Did anybody notice Channel 7's commentary today which had so many tags leading us to believe that the Essendon players have inspirationally overcome their associated difficulties from all the legal disputes and accusations lowered against them? I think Dennis Cometti said, "It’s so great to see them getting back to their day jobs". The general sentiment from the commentary box was that the team has played no pre-season matches and they're winning because they're all top blokes. The Essendon Football Club and its players are rapidly becoming the darlings of the AFL. Why would anybody lead us to believe this?

There’s clearly an AFL strategy agreed to by the Commission, State and Federal Governments, the Player's Association, sponsors, media, the Essendon Football Club and the Essendon players to collectively protect the football code against drug cheating allegations. By successfully doing so, Australia’s sporting reputation, individual sporting reputations and all the revenue that comes with the value of these reputations, including the sale of television rights, match day attendance, interest in the game and player payments will be saved. There are far greater things at stake than making an example of an errant football team and a bunch of naïve, ‘stand up guys’. This scandal started with obvious collaboration between the AFL and the Essendon Football Club and that's the way it will end. Let's be clear, any ASADA appeal (if it comes) will fail. The AFL Anti-Doping Code will be rewritten before WADA can take action (making them irrelevant) and we can all get back to our day jobs and do what we love doing the most which is "getting on with the footy". There’s nothing to see here people. Essendon is in the clear. Coaches, players and staff (and the AFL) have gotten away with it. AFL drug cheating... pfft.. get over it. There's no such thing. The dog ate my database.

Tch! Tch! What a load of......... truth!!