Police are in pursuit of a White Ford Bronco driving erratically along the Tullamarine Fwy with Essendon scalves hanging out the window

3 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Surely, the have to lose the ANZAC day game.

A club who has been found to cheats (yes let's call if for what is), who withheld information to drug testing authorities, who abused their players health, who fought tooth and nail in the courts to avoid exposure cannot be allowed to ever again be linked to ANZAC day. 

EFC's behaviour is the antithesis of everything ANZAC day stands for. 

Disgraceful, if the AFL do not have courage to strip them of it.

You know that's not going to happen LH, unfortunate as it might be. If anything it will increase interest in that match, which the AFL and Ch 7 will love dearly. The only thing that might stop the ANZAC day Ess vs Coll match happening would be if the RSL and Fed govt turned against it. Even then, there must be a contract or MOU that commits to it going ahead.

20 minutes ago, btdemon said:

While people condemn the Essendon players they should also remember that MFC flirted with these drug Cowboys or so called "sports scientists". We're just lucky that we didn't go too far with it. The Essendon club officials are to blame, not the players.  They were naive but most of us, if we were a young player, would trust the club and do as we were told. Football's recent history would suggest Essendon were not alone. There are serious doubts over WC, Geelong as well. 

Flirted, maybe, but made a correct call.  Totally different. 

The retired players like McVeigh that are now coaches I presume that they cannot coach this year?

18 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

let's not dilly dally with words ldvc. essendon stand condemned for cheating.....pure and simple

Well, dc, if you thought my language was too non-specific, let me make myself clear: Essendon stands condemned for cheating. It also stands condemned for damaging its players' health and livelihoods. And it stands condemned for damaging the whole AFL competition (meaning the brand as well as, once again, the football season itself).

This is  better  than xmas

Now what?

30 minutes ago, Ted Fidge said:

 

Are you saying they were in close contact?

I would never suggest such a thing

2 hours ago, Scythe said:

I sure hope they've managed to locate Trent Cotchin after his Elimination Final disappearance - He'll have a Brownlow waiting for him at AFL House.

But seriously, what a disaster.

I backed him to win it. Do I get paid?

So there is a thread on Bomberblitz talking about "top up" payers.

 

Surely the AFL won't give them top up players since they are found guilty?

7 minutes ago, ManDee said:

The retired players like McVeigh that are now coaches I presume that they cannot coach this year?

Nope, if the bans are the same as they were in the 90's when the were explained to me then the players are not allowed to have anything to do with any sport that is a signatory to the WADA code. 

1 minute ago, Barra17 said:

So there is a thread on Bomberblitz talking about "top up" payers.

 

Surely the AFL won't give them top up players since they are found guilty?

Of course they give them top up players, how else could they field a team?

Jordie Mckenzie's career might not be over after all...

28 minutes ago, Peter Griffen said:

For those who understand the legal side of things I have a question

does todays result have a significant bearing on any players attempts to sue the club for failing their duty of care given the players are responsible for what goes into their bodies and signed consent forms? has the club covered their own bums and hung the players out to dry?

i suspect there could be an argument of joint responsibility

i.e. a finding that the club is x% responsible and players y%. so damages paid but reduced to x%. just as in some accident claims now

I heard John Fahey on the radio earlier (SEN). He was asked about the unexpectedly harsh penalty (a line being run by the station it appears - one apparently based on the prediction of Chump Le Grand). 

I liked - and agreed - with his response. Basically said they were lucky to only miss one season as the penalty was two years and they were being pretty generous allowing for such a significant backdate given they ruled out no significant fault and there was no reduction for helping.

It is worth noting that its less than 12 months (as it has been widely reported as) actually as they can return in November meaning its actually 10 months out.

I wonder if the players had of sat out all training from the end of the last season (ie chosen to take a voluntary suspension as is possible i understand) they could have shaved three months off the sentence. Or is that period already factored in given it is out of competition? 

 

1 minute ago, daisycutter said:

i suspect there could be an argument of joint responsibility

i.e. a finding that the club is x% responsible and players y%. so damages paid but reduced to x%. just as in some accident claims now

It's interesting for someone like Dyson Heppell who I imagine would be on a fair crust, he'd potentially miss out on 800k- 1 mil for the year he is suspended out of this, I wonder if the club could be forced to pay a portion of that as you say, due to their responsibility in all this, however I suspect the players have shot themselves in the foot

Melksham can start training as early as September in 9 months time.

Players can return to training earlier than when their suspension date ends on my reading from September (two months before suspension ends) - Chris Kaias; twitter.

Whilst disappointing it's more important that justice is done. Good that MFC  is not allowed to pay this year, and we can elevate a rookie like Michie. Then we have Melksham for 3 years and onwards at the cost of a second round pick.

Just now, H_T said:

Melksham can start training as early as September in 9 months time.

 

 

Whilst disappointing it's more important that justice is done. Good that MFC  is not allowed to pay this year, and we can elevate a rookie like Michie. Then we have Melksham for 3 years and onwards at the cost of a second round pick.

Back in training in September means he will be cherry ripe for 2017 and won't have had a season of wear and tear. 

52 minutes ago, bing181 said:

If anyone wants an easy-to-read summary of the main points, work backwards through these tweets. Really damning of the players:

https://twitter.com/ChrisKaias

Great source for the essence of it

ANZAC day clash 2016!!!

1 minute ago, Moonshadow said:

ANZAC day clash 2016!!!

Almost  brilliant but you left Turd and Jab in.

Just now, Moonshadow said:

ANZAC day clash 2016!!!

Going early - but that is going to be very hard to beat as post of the year...

I wonder how the not paying the players this year affect the salary cap and what can be payed this year and then next?

2 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

ANZAC day clash 2016!!!

What a disgrace it will be....

19 minutes ago, watchtheeyes said:

Of course they give them top up players, how else could they field a team?

Jordie Mckenzie's career might not be over after all...

I thought that was the idea? They have 44 on the list....minus 12 = 32. Bad luck, you cheated.