The code IS suitable for team sports. It was conceived with all varieties and numbers in mind. What we have here is a code that talks big and walks limp.What we have are moral bankrupts in charge with no ticker to run things ethically.

What we also have is that element of the media who would champion such a despotic Flavour of business. Birds of a feather as they say.

Its interesting really to note that the idea this press attempts to raise is to do with "suitability" and ignores the idea that its really about adherence to rules. This needing to within bounds doesn't fit with cheats so they want to be free of the restraints.

If players/teams dont cheat then there's no real weight to the 'problem' of the code fitting.

The code is fine.

The code is fine.

The AFL just don't like it...

Yeah the code is fine... until you get caught.

It was ok until EFC & now Collingwood are in the sights of an independent governing body. Something has his the fan, what do you do? Buy a new fan or stop shytting on the rules?

The AFL would be hoping that they can organize a "popular" withdrawal from Wada's (the Worlds) protocols before any new test results or investigation decisions are put out by them (Wada)

I would hope that The backlash from the silent majority should the afl remove themselves from the wada code because 1 or 2 clubs are being punished for doing the wrong thing would be so big as to totally shame the afl.

Id hope the other 16 clubs would lose their absolute marbles over it.

Any fans with half an ounce of sense would walk. Id be done.

Yep. If the AFL walk away from WADA i will know longer be a financial contributor to the game on any level.

http://m.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/compelling-reason-needed-to-quit-wada-says-top-hawk-20150522-gh7hoa.html

"I reckon it's a vexed question and it's not my area of expertise but the thing I would say is, there better be a compelling reason why we are doing it, not just because we don't like the process or the outcome or whatever," Newbold said.

Simple answer for Gutless Wonders on the AFL Commission. Just vote WADA out of the deal.

I say ditch wada and go with someone who will prosecute AOD users!

I say ditch wada and go with someone who will prosecute AOD users!

Does that include our boys too?

Does that include our boys too?

well i know you are asking a hypothetical

...but yes, why not, if any of them did take aod (which is only an allegation/supposition)

It's simple, it the AFL ditch wada because they offended goldy locks I for one will have nothing to do with the sport in future

It's simple, it the AFL ditch wada because they offended goldy locks I for one will have nothing to do with the sport in future

It appeared when Vlad was in charge, he wanted Essendon to take their punishment albeit with a soft landing and 6 month player suspensions probably served mostly in the off season and the removal of all the key instigators. It was clear he was no friend of Hird. It appears the opposite is now happening with Gil in charge. Seems to be doing everything he can to protect Hird and Co and continuing to raise the stakes.

It appeared when Vlad was in charge, he wanted Essendon to take their punishment albeit with a soft landing and 6 month player suspensions probably served mostly in the off season and the removal of all the key instigators. It was clear he was no friend of Hird. It appears the opposite is now happening with Gil in charge. Seems to be doing everything he can to protect Hird and Co and continuing to raise the stakes.

I don't think Gil is motivated by protecting Hird. I think he is acting to protect the league and the brand. The problem is that he is guided, or more accurately misguided, by the AFL boys club. The same bays club that were surprised by the appeal and have little to no time for WADA as they risk the lively hoods of some of their own. Gil seems to have cometely misread the feeling from the general population of AFL supporters who aren't essendon supporters. In essence he is acting with the right intention, but has taken the wrong route.

I wonder if it worth getting as many as possible to clearly state to the MFC that we will walk if there is no WADA. Would this make Jackson get on the phone to Gil and tell him not to think about that course of action.

Whatever people might think of doing do not announce it either on or in public until sure of action to be taken.

For the moment it could just be "It takes whatever"...

does anyone know what the contract lengths are(if any) for afl ceo? does Gil have until he wants to quit or is there a chance he can be ousted sometime in the near future?

does anyone know what the contract lengths are(if any) for afl ceo? does Gil have until he wants to quit or is there a chance he can be ousted sometime in the near future?

as long as gil keeps his polo form up to scratch he's as safe as houses

as long as gil keeps his polo form up to scratch he's as safe as houses

bugger.

perhaps there should be a vote on CEO every couple of years or something. at this stage I don't think he would win, making a few enemies(except essendrug)

bugger.

perhaps there should be a vote on CEO every couple of years or something. at this stage I don't think he would win, making a few enemies(except essendrug)

don't think essendrug really like him either

they say they are trying to mend fences with the afl, but that's is really only on the surface

as long as gil keeps his polo form up to scratch he's as safe as houses

Thats the problem. Theres no framework for tenure; no real accountability. There are essentially no rules for the rulers. In true AFL fashion its all made up on the fly and ratified by sycophantic yes men or those with 'other' agendas. Its the biggest boys club in town. It evades much corporate policing because its effectively a private company.

The perfect environment for self serving corruption.

They would have been right at home in ancient Rome.

Over the last few years the federal government has injected upwards of 2 billion dollars into major stadiums in all states. This has benefited not only AFL but also other sports. They have done so on the basis that any teams using these facilities are WADA compliant. If the AFL were to withdraw from WADA then they would also lose the ability to play on all the stadiums they presently play in.

If they do take the decision to withdraw from WADA then the other 3 football codes will outstrip them within 5 years and football will become a quaint, backwater, suburban game.

Blame Hird.......... or Watts, he gets blamed for most things.

don't think essendrug really like him either

they say they are trying to mend fences with the afl, but that's is really only on the surface

The guy is a Muppet and he has to go.

Is there a sport where its legal to take drugs?

Because he could be the CEO of that sport as IMO he would fit right in.

It appeared when Vlad was in charge, he wanted Essendon to take their punishment albeit with a soft landing and 6 month player suspensions probably served mostly in the off season and the removal of all the key instigators. It was clear he was no friend of Hird. It appears the opposite is now happening with Gil in charge. Seems to be doing everything he can to protect Hird and Co and continuing to raise the stakes.

Yes, Vlad saw the writing on the wall and tried to minimise the collateral damage. (He's still a guitar pick.)

Gil "the dealmaker" has actively participated in the PR campaign. "The players were duped ... ohhhh, let it go!!! .... hasn't this thing dragged on long enough????" etc.

Even briefed the Ess players on the tribunal proceedings while the tribunal was in session!!!!!!!!!

High risk high reward ... but if Dees2014 is right, all to no avail and with it due to come back and bite him in the behind.

We'll all be shedding a tear for you, Gil.

I am just staggered by all the talk in the media about the AFL withdrawing from WADA. We are told the code is not suitable for team sports, but no one details why. And that is in some way unfair to EFC and its payers But it seems to me that it is the other way around - it fails team sports in that it is too focussed on individual behaviour and not systematic club-wide cheating such as EFC (allegedly) has done.

This is not surprising at all that the media has gone to this area. What else is the Hird propaganda machine to do? They have basically lost every contest they have confronted in this saga save the AFL tribunal (which was rigged in their's and the AFL's favour anyway). Every other contest they have been rebutted decisively, and their only way out is to bribe witnesses and run a campaign to discredit WADA, CAS and ASADA in the eyes of the public.

Their problem is though WADA and ASADA have decisively won the propaganda war, and seemingly they are not letting up in the least in fact quite the opposite. WADA have been far more prescriptive since their appeal was announced than I expected, particularly their willingness to confront the very powerful forces in Australian sport about the venue, their early announcement about appointing foreign Arbitrators, and WADA's announcement about their highly experienced American prosecutor. All this makes sense but it was not expected as they were seen as likely to pay more lip service to Australian sensibilities. I am very glad they haven't been.

It simple demonstrates what I have been saying all along that they see this case as far wider than the AFL, or even Australian sport. This is nothing less than a test case as to whether powerful teams sports globally are going to be required to comply to anti drug rules internationally, or are they going to be able to get away with the chaos which has characterised the NFL in the U.S., the only major football code in the world which has not signed on to the WADA code, and the one riven with drug taking and bad behaviour.

This is much, much bigger than Australia.