I think Mitch White, Trengove and Clayton Oliver will be major beneficiaries of Melksham's absence.

Grimes just makes too many blatant mistakes and will be given a chance, but push his way out of the side.

3 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Milkshake on the shelf leaves a spot.

Could be anyone grabbing it. I'll be interested to see who does.

In my younger days I'd be probably licking it so it didn't go to waste.

1 minute ago, willmoy said:

In my younger days I'd be probably licking it so it didn't go to waste.

Haha...

Lots of players putting their hands up to take his spot, he's definitely bringing all the boys to the yard...

 

On 16 January 2016 at 3:55 PM, Nasher said:

Fair point. I always thought Zaharakis "I fear needles" when he apparently has a tattoo on his arse sounded like an excuse for getting out of it without appearing to be dissenting. 

I don't like needles and I'm mostly covered in tattoos.

completely different, tattoo needles are vastly different and do not go in any where near as far as injection needles.

I've heard in the last two weeks that Zaha was against the program, not needles, needles is the clubs wording. Was told over the next month or two that will come out. Source is a work mate who has ties back to Zaha's junior club. 

As I understand it, suggesting that Melksham's contract would/should be paid by Essendon.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/index.html?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&mode=premium&dest=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-could-be-forced-to-pay-the-salaries-of-banned-players-at-rival-clubs/news-story/f2ec419c9cfad4301ada984679405a09&memtype=anonymous

8 minutes ago, bing181 said:

As I understand it, suggesting that Melksham's contract would/should be paid by Essendon.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/index.html?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&mode=premium&dest=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-could-be-forced-to-pay-the-salaries-of-banned-players-at-rival-clubs/news-story/f2ec419c9cfad4301ada984679405a09&memtype=anonymous

Hopefully he's on a heavily front-ended contract that's due to pay him $1m+ in 2016 and very little for the final three years 

40 minutes ago, bing181 said:

As I understand it, suggesting that Melksham's contract would/should be paid by Essendon.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/index.html?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&mode=premium&dest=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-could-be-forced-to-pay-the-salaries-of-banned-players-at-rival-clubs/news-story/f2ec419c9cfad4301ada984679405a09&memtype=anonymous

I can't get behind the paywall so am responding just to your comment.  Does the article say anything about CAS rules on player payments?  Or have they found some backdoor way around the CAS rules? 

As I understand those rules players cannot be paid by an entity connected to the AFL, while suspended. Hence why the AFLPA was trying to get compensation claims against EFC and AFL settled out of court - players would get money sooner rather than later.

Those 3 organisations have gone very quiet of late...not sure what they are hatching.  I don't trust any of them!  

Maybe CAS suspension and appeal rules are so watertight that players will have to take their medicine 

Edited January 29, 20169 yr by Lucifer's Hero

It does say this:

Quote

The current WADA code states “some or all sport-related financial support or other sport-related benefits received by such Person will be withheld”.

Also interesting:

Quote

 

Peter Jess, who manages former player Nathan Lovett Murray, revealed hopes of putting Essendon biochemist Stephen Dank on the stand.

He told the Herald Sun lawyers had advised him Dank could be sued under Section 31 of the Crimes Act after fraudulently obtaining consent for the peptide program.

“We are saying he fraudulently obtained consent. He didn’t tell them what was happening to them. We have been told we have a strong case,’’ Jess said.

 

 

Replacement player/top up player; Daniel Cross.  Get it done MFC 

2 minutes ago, Jesse Christ said:

Replacement player/top up player; Daniel Cross.  Get it done MFC 

Not too silly an idea. Not only would it:

1) allow us Cross's experience and skill, (for both MFC & Casey);

2) free up a salary in our 2016 coaching budget (which will increase our flexibility);

3) give us a player intimately familiar with Roos/Goodwin's game plan; and

4) be popular with the playing group.

You will find none of my ideas are too silly,  CBDees. 

47 minutes ago, Jesse Christ said:

Replacement player/top up player; Daniel Cross.  Get it done MFC 

We already know what he can bring and do, why wouldn't we try a state league player and try to unearth something? (ie - vB)

Cross slowed considerably as the season went on last year, couldn't see him contributing much next year with a developed game plan that involves more speed and attack and a bit less of the loose man in defence tactic.

 

 

1 hour ago, stuie said:

We already know what he can bring and do, why wouldn't we try a state league player and try to unearth something? (ie - vB)

Cross slowed considerably as the season went on last year, couldn't see him contributing much next year with a developed game plan that involves more speed and attack and a bit less of the loose man in defence tactic.

 

 

If we are getting a "top-up" on the same basis as Essendon, he will need to have been on an AFL list over the last two years!

5 hours ago, CBDees said:

If we are getting a "top-up" on the same basis as Essendon, he will need to have been on an AFL list over the last two years!

Good point, forgot about that!

Would still rather go for someone younger with a bit of potential left. Just try our luck, nothing to lose.

 

Was a massive fan of Cross but it's time to move on.

4 hours ago, Jesse Christ said:

Replacement player/top up player; Daniel Cross.  Get it done MFC 

He's past it, and we've already recruited Bugg to fill his role.

We'd also then be short a runner, and a development/rehab coach.

Do we really need to replace Melksham on the list? Upgrading White or Wagner will do just fine.

Someone needs to play at Casey.

We don't have a full list now

6 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Someone needs to play at Casey.

We don't have a full list now

Joel Smith effectively compensates the loss of Melksham, numbers wise.

16 minutes ago, Good Times Grimes said:

Joel Smith effectively compensates the loss of Melksham, numbers wise.

Has some curry as a point for sure

Since Melksham was found guilty of drug the cheating,the Dees should not be obliged to honour his contract and should have the right to be compensated by Essendon for us to giving up pick 24. Promoting anyone off the rookie list is no big deal,the particular player get a better opportunity to show what he is worth. A blessing in disguise !!!!!!

4 hours ago, ENYAW said:

Since Melksham was found guilty of drug the cheating,the Dees should not be obliged to honour his contract and should have the right to be compensated by Essendon for us to giving up pick 24. Promoting anyone off the rookie list is no big deal,the particular player get a better opportunity to show what he is worth. A blessing in disguise !!!!!!

We went in eyes wide stupid

I would assume that any payments by Essendon, Melbourne, Port, Dogs or Saints to disqualified players would be not be permitted under the CAS ruling. The players will need to sue to get paid compensation for the loss of past, present and future earnings. This could get very messy as Essendon tries to battle their own players.

Mr Deecisive,by paying suspended players you are actually rewarding cheats. I wouldn't mind getting paid for a year for do nothing.All this amounts to is stupidity on a large scale. If the AFL had rules in place regarding players from club injecting substances and the consequences that may prevent the problem from occuring in the first place.Players   involved should automatically given a one year suspension.The club involved should also be stripped of premierships points for the following season and for the current season be disqualified from the finals which happened.The players do not receive a wage for the next season.Draft picks,the offending team can only receive 3rd round onwards and cannot trade anyone for lower picks.Compensation is given to clubs who unknowingly pick players who are deemed as drug cheats,perhaps the other club are given first choice on top up players.The coach of the so called drug cheats is fined $1 mill dollars,the club is fined $2 mill dollars which has occured.The players cannot sue the AFL or the EFC.

If any of the banned 34 receive payment from any AFL body or club in 2016, they'd better consult WADA first, because from what I understand they cannot. A breach of the terms of the suspension will have massive ramifications for the player, club and wider AFL.

IIRC, nor can the banned 34 accept an award/prize/trophy for the period in question where the drugs were administered. Time to hand back Charlie to the AFL Jobe.

There is much media discussion about top up players, payment of salary etc for the non EFC, AFL clubplayers. The press seems to have forgotten that we have one - articles like this one don't even mention MFC or Jake: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/essendon-to-pay-carlisles-st-kilda-contract-this-year-20160131-gmi4ai.html"

I really like the position MFC has taken: An early, clear statement that Jake was recruited for the long term...nothing to see here folks.  No hue and cry about top-ups or salary payments, no whinging etc. (that is not to say our lawyers are not having discussions with the AFL)

Nothing to distract players, coaches, admin or fans from getting on with football.  No attention from the media.  No spotlight on us.  We are quietly going about our business like a really professional club.    

People say a club needs to be successful off the field first to be successful on the field.  Well, MFC is kicking an abundance of goals in most areas off-field, it is only a matter of time before the on-field results follow.  I've moved beyond being hopeful; I'm finally ready to believe.

Edited January 31, 20169 yr by Lucifer's Hero