rita panahi gives afl and their acolytes a big whack 

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/rita-panahi/afl-has-failed-the-community-over-richmond-footballer-dustin-martin/news-story/124f077eeecbe4c58f0f09dd7c2654ad

some snippets >>>>>>>>

" AUSTRALIA’S pre-eminent sporting organisation portrays itself as a community leader in promoting respect and responsibility towards women but the reality is different. Far from being at the top of the moral totem pole, the AFL has shown its desire to protect the brand trumps all else."

" It’s clear that the staff at AFL House are slow on the uptake; fresh from their disastrous mishandling of the Essendon saga, where they attempted to manipulate the process and outcome, they have again committed a senseless act of self-harm through what appears to be a combination of arrogance, ineptitude and a need to micromanage “the message”. "

" When the AFL did refer the matter to police, Tracey said an integrity officer told her, “we have washed our hands of you”, before adding that a police investigation would “buy the AFL a year”. "

" The AFL and Richmond briefed against Tracey while undertaking an “independent” investigation of the incident, revealing what appears to be an absence of sincerity and integrity. "

"The AFL’s record of vindictiveness speaks for itself, from pressuring radio station SEN 1116 to sack Grant Thomas (which the AFL denied) to pulling the accreditation of sports writers who deviate from the AFL script."

"It’s not just a boys’ club with backward notions about women; it is an insular clique — and it can’t afford that insularity when the footy world already has a tendency to be out of step with community standards; take the sickening article published after former player Nick Stevens was convicted of bashing his former partner."

"The piece, which has since been removed from The Age’s website, quoted footy officials and former teammates praising Stevens."

"This is, after all, a world in which convicted woman basher Ricky Nixon thrived until he was brought undone by a teenager."

"While AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and Richmond CEO Brendon Gale were worrying about the “distress and harm” to Martin’s reputation, nobody bothered to check on the victim, who has not only been needlessly retraumatised but also cast as a fantasist."

"The co-ordinated message by footy officials and eager sections of the media referring to supposed evidence contradicting the victim’s account has been accepted, but neither Richmond nor the AFL can tell us precisely what that contradictory evidence is."

"Possibly because, like the AFL’s integrity, it does not exist."

 

  On 21/01/2016 at 02:41, daisycutter said:

rita panahi gives afl and their acolytes a big whack 

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/rita-panahi/afl-has-failed-the-community-over-richmond-footballer-dustin-martin/news-story/124f077eeecbe4c58f0f09dd7c2654ad

some snippets >>>>>>>>

" AUSTRALIA’S pre-eminent sporting organisation portrays itself as a community leader in promoting respect and responsibility towards women but the reality is different. Far from being at the top of the moral totem pole, the AFL has shown its desire to protect the brand trumps all else."

" It’s clear that the staff at AFL House are slow on the uptake; fresh from their disastrous mishandling of the Essendon saga, where they attempted to manipulate the process and outcome, they have again committed a senseless act of self-harm through what appears to be a combination of arrogance, ineptitude and a need to micromanage “the message”. "

" When the AFL did refer the matter to police, Tracey said an integrity officer told her, “we have washed our hands of you”, before adding that a police investigation would “buy the AFL a year”. "

" The AFL and Richmond briefed against Tracey while undertaking an “independent” investigation of the incident, revealing what appears to be an absence of sincerity and integrity. "

"The AFL’s record of vindictiveness speaks for itself, from pressuring radio station SEN 1116 to sack Grant Thomas (which the AFL denied) to pulling the accreditation of sports writers who deviate from the AFL script."

"It’s not just a boys’ club with backward notions about women; it is an insular clique — and it can’t afford that insularity when the footy world already has a tendency to be out of step with community standards; take the sickening article published after former player Nick Stevens was convicted of bashing his former partner."

"The piece, which has since been removed from The Age’s website, quoted footy officials and former teammates praising Stevens."

"This is, after all, a world in which convicted woman basher Ricky Nixon thrived until he was brought undone by a teenager."

"While AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and Richmond CEO Brendon Gale were worrying about the “distress and harm” to Martin’s reputation, nobody bothered to check on the victim, who has not only been needlessly retraumatised but also cast as a fantasist."

"The co-ordinated message by footy officials and eager sections of the media referring to supposed evidence contradicting the victim’s account has been accepted, but neither Richmond nor the AFL can tell us precisely what that contradictory evidence is."

"Possibly because, like the AFL’s integrity, it does not exist."

 

Well.....There goes her accreditation .....Oh wait......... She doesn't have one, so she can say what she wants, without the AFL coming down on her.    Go Rita

  On 21/01/2016 at 02:41, daisycutter said:

rita panahi gives afl and their acolytes a big whack 

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/rita-panahi/afl-has-failed-the-community-over-richmond-footballer-dustin-martin/news-story/124f077eeecbe4c58f0f09dd7c2654ad

some snippets >>>>>>>>

" AUSTRALIA’S pre-eminent sporting organisation portrays itself as a community leader in promoting respect and responsibility towards women but the reality is different. Far from being at the top of the moral totem pole, the AFL has shown its desire to protect the brand trumps all else."

" It’s clear that the staff at AFL House are slow on the uptake; fresh from their disastrous mishandling of the Essendon saga, where they attempted to manipulate the process and outcome, they have again committed a senseless act of self-harm through what appears to be a combination of arrogance, ineptitude and a need to micromanage “the message”. "

" When the AFL did refer the matter to police, Tracey said an integrity officer told her, “we have washed our hands of you”, before adding that a police investigation would “buy the AFL a year”. "

" The AFL and Richmond briefed against Tracey while undertaking an “independent” investigation of the incident, revealing what appears to be an absence of sincerity and integrity. "

"The AFL’s record of vindictiveness speaks for itself, from pressuring radio station SEN 1116 to sack Grant Thomas (which the AFL denied) to pulling the accreditation of sports writers who deviate from the AFL script."

"It’s not just a boys’ club with backward notions about women; it is an insular clique — and it can’t afford that insularity when the footy world already has a tendency to be out of step with community standards; take the sickening article published after former player Nick Stevens was convicted of bashing his former partner."

"The piece, which has since been removed from The Age’s website, quoted footy officials and former teammates praising Stevens."

"This is, after all, a world in which convicted woman basher Ricky Nixon thrived until he was brought undone by a teenager."

"While AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and Richmond CEO Brendon Gale were worrying about the “distress and harm” to Martin’s reputation, nobody bothered to check on the victim, who has not only been needlessly retraumatised but also cast as a fantasist."

"The co-ordinated message by footy officials and eager sections of the media referring to supposed evidence contradicting the victim’s account has been accepted, but neither Richmond nor the AFL can tell us precisely what that contradictory evidence is."

"Possibly because, like the AFL’s integrity, it does not exist."

 

Nailed it. So many people don't realise how valuable the accreditation is the sports journos and how careful they have to be for fear of losing it. As Bossdog points out, Rita doesn't have one, and has no need for one in the future, hence she calls it as it actually is, not how they need to in order to keep their job!

  On 21/01/2016 at 02:56, Bossdog said:

Well.....There goes her accreditation .....Oh wait......... She doesn't have one, so she can say what she wants, without the AFL coming down on her.    Go Rita

Maybe not the reason but I did notice she was no longer on SEN at the end of last year and to me that was a big loss.

I might not always agree with her and she is annoying at times but she gave a different voice.

The AFL do love their boys club and if you're a female it goes well for you if you are one of the boys...

  On 21/01/2016 at 03:20, rjay said:

Maybe not the reason but I did notice she was no longer on SEN at the end of last year and to me that was a big loss.

I might not always agree with her and she is annoying at times but she gave a different voice.

The AFL do love their boys club and if you're a female it goes well for you if you are one of the boys...

3AW now rjay

  On 21/01/2016 at 03:33, old dee said:

3AW now rjay

Thanks 'old dee', she got a better offer.

She's the right kind of s....stirrer for AW

the pressure is deliciously building 

Ol' Rita... Well she's ruffling feathers big-time now. Go you goodgirl. Often disagree about some of her points but her appraisal of the boys club sporting cartel is on the money.

I love footy. I'm ashamed of the AFL. 

  On 21/01/2016 at 04:25, beelzebub said:

Ol' Rita... Well she's ruffling feathers big-time now. Go you goodgirl. Often disagree about some of her points but her appraisal of the boys club sporting cartel is on the money.

I love footy. I'm ashamed of the AFL. 

That covers it for me too bb

First time i have totally agreed with Rita. 

The AFL are more worried about protecting their Broadcast Rights deal than punishing those who do wrong. I am very angry that Martin has walked away from all this. 

He should be under 24 hour surviellance. 

Neanderthal....

  On 21/01/2016 at 03:04, Chris said:

Nailed it. So many people don't realise how valuable the accreditation is the sports journos and how careful they have to be for fear of losing it. As Bossdog points out, Rita doesn't have one, and has no need for one in the future, hence she calls it as it actually is, not how they need to in order to keep their job!

I hope she keeps at them. Someone has to. Time some were brought back to earth....with a thud

  On 21/01/2016 at 04:33, Sir Why You Little said:

First time i have totally agreed with Rita. 

The AFL are more worried about protecting their Broadcast Rights deal than punishing those who do wrong. I am very angry that Martin has walked away from all this. 

He should be under 24 hour surviellance. 

Neanderthal....

Not a fan of Dustin's in any way shape or form but I don't think we're a police state quite yet either.

  On 21/01/2016 at 04:53, Whispering_Jack said:

Not a fan of Dustin's in any way shape or form but I don't think we're a police state quite yet either.

He should have been charged. No not a police state......just a big boys club !!!

  On 21/01/2016 at 05:02, beelzebub said:

He should have been charged. No not a police state......just a big boys club !!!

That might be the case. The problem is that the police need evidence to prosecute a case and from what I understand, the person who complained in the first instance, was either unable or unwilling to provide the police with enough material to enable them to lay any charges.

In those circumstances, if you can't support a charge, how do you justify 24 hour surveillance?

  On 21/01/2016 at 05:10, Whispering_Jack said:

That might be the case. The problem is that the police need evidence to prosecute a case and from what I understand, the person who complained in the first instance, was either unable or unwilling to provide the police with enough material to enable them to lay any charges.

In those circumstances, if you can't support a charge, how do you justify 24 hour surveillance?

Unwilling to provide evidence...(in her best interests to not do so maybe..)

  On 21/01/2016 at 05:10, Whispering_Jack said:

That might be the case. The problem is that the police need evidence to prosecute a case and from what I understand, the person who complained in the first instance, was either unable or unwilling to provide the police with enough material to enable them to lay any charges.

In those circumstances, if you can't support a charge, how do you justify 24 hour surveillance?

There could be lots of reasons behind a victim not making a statement.

In Rita Panahi's article she says that she doesn't want to go through further abuse for going through with the complaint.

There'd also be backlash from the self-interested AFL, likely painting her as a vapid attention-seeking reporter, picking on poor innocent Dusty.

Gees when I said Royal Commission I was only joking. The question now is Who's gonna go down first AFL or Bombers?

As Jackie Gleeson used to say "how sweet it is"

Ripper Rita !!!

  On 19/01/2016 at 20:54, ManDee said:

Irony.  The EFC have players banned for PED use. They are permitted fill in players. The first player selected is a banned drug cheat.

I imagine the sponsors will be delighted.

 

Aren't Chemist's Warehouse a sponsor?   

  On 19/01/2016 at 20:56, chook fowler said:

It's a Saad situation 

LOL

  On 19/01/2016 at 23:03, Choke said:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-01-19/angry-hinkley-hopes-afl-will-relax-list-concession-rules-after-cas-verdict

Interesting comments by Hinkley, they end up with one less player than Essendon.

But the thing that interests me most is his comment about there not being a contingency plan already in place for CAS handing out bans. Surely event the inept and corrupt beast that is the AFL would have to have given this SOME thought? Apparently not.

The great supporters of integrity, the AFL, of course had a contingency plan...their usual one....make up a rule on the run.

  On 20/01/2016 at 02:47, Akum said:

I'm looking forward to finding out more about the circumstances under which the consent forms were signed. In particular, the extent to which the players were put under duress, and by whom.

Of course, there's the question of whether EFC - not to mention a certain ex-coach - are comfortable about this being discussed in minute detail in court.

Have the consent forms ever been seen in public?  What did they actually say?  Or were they all lost too (in St James; vault in a Swiss bank perhaps).

  On 20/01/2016 at 03:05, Lucifer's Hero said:

I was wondering why Eddie hasn't come out and vigorously condemned the Kelty statement.  Eddie would go ballistic if a penny of AFL money was to go to the Swans!

...then I remembered that Kelty is the Chairman of the Board of David Evans' company of which Eddie is a Board member.  

So, hard to separate Essendon from the AFL swyl especially when all the other relationships between key players are considered.

So with Eddie gone quiet, which AFL Club Chairman is going to speak up for the other 17 16 clubs and lobby strongly for their interests...just to keep everyone 'honest'...yes, I know that is an oxymoron in current circumstances. 

It needs a strong club to go in to bat...Hawthorn would be a good one to step up to the plate. 

OMG what an impossible conflict of interest.   What an incestuous lot they are - no wonder there is no integrity.

  On 21/01/2016 at 05:10, Whispering_Jack said:

That might be the case. The problem is that the police need evidence to prosecute a case and from what I understand, the person who complained in the first instance, was either unable or unwilling to provide the police with enough material to enable them to lay any charges.

In those circumstances, if you can't support a charge, how do you justify 24 hour surveillance?

You know...if Plod had been bothered ...and if the boys network hadn't allowed Gil's Dillsfirst lookin then justice might have had a proper run.

She got shafted. Still a lot of nudge nudging going on.

Quite disgusting really. 

Love him..hate him.... He has a voice

Cmon Jeff.....call for the AFL board to be sacked !!!!!

Peter Gordon saying he will try and appeal because he agrees with Tanner that its a miscarriage of justice.

Reckons the CAS report is full of "factual errors" etc

ffs

  On 22/01/2016 at 01:53, biggestred said:

Peter Gordon saying he will try and appeal because he agrees with Tanner that its a miscarriage of justice.

reckons the CAS report is full of "factual errors" etc

ffs

Wow, so now the President of the Bulldogs suggests he knows the facts about the drug program where nobody is able to say exactly what was injected (except that it was legal and cures cancer - of course).

Get over it Gordon, they are guilty. If you feel aggrieved I suggest you go and have a chat with your Essendon counterpart and discuss some form of compensation.

  On 22/01/2016 at 01:53, biggestred said:

Peter Gordon saying he will try and appeal because he agrees with Tanner that its a miscarriage of justice.

reckons the CAS report is full of "factual errors" etc

ffs

His gripe seems to be that the rules changed after the fact and allowed a de novo hearing and didn't require an appeal to be dependent on a mistake in law. Wouldn't it have been good to raise this issue before the appeal, he had a good 7 months or so to work it out between the announcement of the appeal and the start of the hearing. 

Crying about the rules being wrong after being caught just makes you look like a petulant child. He also has a factual errors in his little speel as well, like 4 of the 6 finding the players not guilty, that is a little misleading at best!

IMHO this is all just a propaganda blitz in order to turn public opinion and government opinion against big bad WADA so they can convince the afl to move away from the wada code.

And it's disgusting.