I'm going to enjoy AFL360 tonight.

Really....Molly, sorry Robbo will be incoherent.

Well more than usual.

does any decision need to be unanimous I wonder.

majority, but it is possible it could be heard by one Arbitrator appointed by CAS (meaning effectively Coates and his board). Not likely given the importance of the case locally and internationally, but possible nevertheless. More importantly, IMHO I think it should be an international Arbitrator, not Australian, but almost never do non Australians sit in the CAS court in Australia, but this might be different given its high profile.

Politically for CAS and WADA it would be easier if a non Australian was appointed, even better if it was heard in Switzland rather than Sydney, but that might be asking too much.

As I have said all along, I'm looking for closure with a final decision.

If WADA can prove the EFC took performance enhancing drugs at CAS, the appropriate penalties should be given.

If they can't, and the appeal fails, I will be able to going forward in life knowing my club did not cheat.

That's my attitude, but I'm sure if WADA does lose, there will be a hundred conspiracy theories on here as to why.

Annoyed that another season is a write off for my club, can't imagine what the players are feeling right now, let alone how they are going to get themselves up for a game of football Friday night. But in the end, if this is what it takes to get the truth, and closure, bring it on.

Everyone on here is very confident that it's an open and shut case for WADA.

I get the impression they don't appeal on a whim.

Not that it counts for a lot around here, but early media buzz is that no one can understand why WADA would appeal.

I'm happy to sit back and wait to see what happens.

Ash if WADA can't prove to CAS on the balance of probability that Essendon (34) took performance enhancing drugs I think you are entitled to feel exonerated.

I like that you will accept the umpires decision either way. I have a feeling most on here and bomberblit for that matter will only accept the decision if it falls inline with their previously held view.

Really....Molly, sorry Robbo will be incoherent.

Well more than usual.

reckon he'll pull another sickie ??

I have supported BB WJ dee2014 and the many learned and reasonable comments on this site

and said for some time that the whole story was outrageous.

That Essendon sought to gain an advantage doing "whatever it takes" using performance enhancing drugs.

That they were perhaps doing in a massive way what the rest of the AFL clubs were doing in a minor way.

That Hirds status intimidated players media supporters and the public.

The AFL may well have assisted in disclosure to make this go away.

That records were kept and have been destroyed due to internal doubt about the legality of the program.

That Danks who has insisted that he will disclose to an appropriate jurisdiction (perhaps the Supreme court will provide that) is the weak link in the EFC defence.

That the EFC tactic (perhaps supported by AFL) has been to delay until such time as majority of players are retired and/or no longer affected by a ban.

That the drug testing regime of the AFL has been shown to be less than rigorous.

That Jobe Watson winning a Brownlow when his club was engaging in "whatever it takes" and having admitted having unknown injections has tarnished the highest award in the game.

That the EFC /AFL actions in condoning the regime using the lack of anyone coming forward with facts to an authority charged with ensuring there are no drugs in sport is contributing to societal drug problems .

I have sent a message to WADA as suggested by posters and am thankful that the investigation will continue.

I hope that the outcome will improve the reputation of Australian sport and not harm it.

I hope that all our International; sportspeople are abiding by the rules of their sports and their results will be untarnished by the actions of EFC. Orica and our cyclists are performing on a world stage in an a sport that has been forced to confront these practices and has come out stronger for it.

.

.......If they can't, and the appeal fails, I will be able to going forward in life knowing my club did not cheat........

Really? All that would come out of a not guilty verdict is that the was not sufficient proof that they cheated, or tried to cheat.

The stench will persist until the entire football department and board moves on, and then some.

I have for some time been concerned that the unbridled joy that some people seem to have in the misfortune of the EFC (admittedly brought upon themselves) has been too narrowly focused. I continue to be concerned that "the whatever it takes" approach that has been criticised is not unique to Essendon. This story, published a couple of days ago but one I've only just seen is an example of what I'm talking about. Is the use of "experimental and unregulated" stem cell therapy by AFL clubs any better than an experimental supplement regime? Which clubs are involved? Is our club the Melbourne-based club "leading the charge with the treatment"?

I'm still very concerned about stones and glass houses.

Bombers seek soft landing at CAS

Good luck with that.

Bombers seek soft landing at CAS

Good luck with that.

Haha i could watch that video all day...!

Paul Little said he was very surprised by this development.

Oh please Paul you expect us to believe we are that stupid.

I have for some time been concerned that the unbridled joy that some people seem to have in the misfortune of the EFC (admittedly brought upon themselves) has been too narrowly focused. I continue to be concerned that "the whatever it takes" approach that has been criticised is not unique to Essendon. This story, published a couple of days ago but one I've only just seen is an example of what I'm talking about. Is the use of "experimental and unregulated" stem cell therapy by AFL clubs any better than an experimental supplement regime? Which clubs are involved? Is our club the Melbourne-based club "leading the charge with the treatment"?

I'm still very concerned about stones and glass houses.

No joy here - just saddened that the sport I love is now "officially" tarnished with drug abuse. ( not just Essendon)

I'm not going to be jumping for joy or beating my chest this time around.

I was stunned into silence when the tribunal handed down it's verdict and even after reading through their findings, I couldn't believe they reached the conclusion they did.

I very much feel that Essendon is entering this hearing as the strong favorite that the verdict will go their way. People, myself included, were so confident in the system last time... this time around I'll be more guarded. I'm expecting them to get off.

I think it's smart by wada, drag it out and keep it in the back of the bombers minds, now it seems to have caught them off guard a little bit

As I keep on saying, WADA/ASADA has a very clearly thought out strategy in this. I know there are many doubters on here about this, and undoubtably the Hird PR machine have tried to paint them as a chaotic shambles, but the fact is that ASADA/WADA have played Essendon and Hird on a bit. In spite of the tens of millions spent on their campaign, they are now staring into the abys. Fortunately there ARE some very smart men and women in this caper with great integrity who have ensured justice has at least a fair chance of triumphing in the end. All power to them.

I have for some time been concerned that the unbridled joy that some people seem to have in the misfortune of the EFC (admittedly brought upon themselves) has been too narrowly focused. I continue to be concerned that "the whatever it takes" approach that has been criticised is not unique to Essendon. This story, published a couple of days ago but one I've only just seen is an example of what I'm talking about. Is the use of "experimental and unregulated" stem cell therapy by AFL clubs any better than an experimental supplement regime? Which clubs are involved? Is our club the Melbourne-based club "leading the charge with the treatment"?

I'm still very concerned about stones and glass houses.

I'm not. While it would hurt if the MFC was involved in drugs etc, it has to be stomped out. Though I'm sure we wouldn't get the same level of sympathetic and sycophantic treatment from the media.

I'm not. While it would hurt if the MFC was involved in drugs etc, it has to be stomped out. Though I'm sure we wouldn't get the same level of sympathetic and sycophantic treatment from the media.

Quite right, Sue. My comment about stones and glass houses was intended to refer to the joy and enthusiasm of supporters and how we should anticipate similar against us should we be in a predicament of our own making.

The Titus take on it.....pretty fair appraisal ..lol

https://twitter.com/TitusOReily/status/597865270909140992

Listening to Hird. OMG

The players have been found innocent! 2 1/2 years and they are still innocent. We will prove our innocence again! It's a surprise but we are ready. They have been proven innocent and we will prove it again.

FMD

Listening to Hird. OMG

The players have been found innocent! 2 1/2 years and they are still innocent. We will prove our innocence again! It's a surprise but we are ready. They have been proven innocent and we will prove it again.

FMD

actually James, that was they were not found guilty !! ( yet )

Ash...respectfully this appalls me. To me youre still in denial of any wrong doing at Essendon ? The whole episode has been about advantageous programming ( aka ....cheating ) and the smoke and mirrors disguise to camouflage it. Surely you must understand that.

BB, Ash is an Essendon supporter and has behaved with good grace and sense on this site, so you should be a little kinder and cut ash some slack. I have time for his contribution and views.

Being found innocent would imply Essendon proved they didn't take drugs, imo they have simply not been found guilty

BB, Ash is an Essendon supporter and has behaved with good grace and sense on this site, so you should be a little kinder and cut ash some slack. I have time for his contribution and views.

Thought i was !!

I'm not going to be jumping for joy or beating my chest this time around.

I was stunned into silence when the tribunal handed down it's verdict and even after reading through their findings, I couldn't believe they reached the conclusion they did.

I very much feel that Essendon is entering this hearing as the strong favorite that the verdict will go their way. People, myself included, were so confident in the system last time... this time around I'll be more guarded. I'm expecting them to get off.

I'm in the opposite camp. I was pretty sure that Essendon would get off with ASADA. After re-reading Demon2014 post today I am comfortably satisfied that CAS will find them guilty on balance of probability.

Listening to Hird. OMG

The players have been found innocent! 2 1/2 years and they are still innocent. We will prove our innocence again! It's a surprise but we are ready. They have been proven innocent and we will prove it again.

FMD

What about your innocence Turd?

How long have you been associated with Shane Charters??

Shut your hole. I am tired of your ears on my TV Screen.

actually James, that was they were not found guilty !! ( yet )

It's amazing isn't it Beeb?

The spin, what about "we are surprised but we are ready"?

What an appalling dishonest human being, he disgusts me.

lol, AFLPA are angry because it will cause more stress to the players:

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/aflpa-extremely-disappointed-over-wadas-appeal-of-essendon-verdict-20150512-ggzgmb.html

What if they're guilty AFLPA? Still worried about the stress levels of drug cheats?