10 minutes ago, chookrat said:

Haha, saw this on the AFL site and laughed at the storm it would create here. Personally I don't have a problem with it given he did win the medal and is next in line to present. It would be different if the AFL singled him out to award the medal.

Why? Presenting it is far high profile than deciding who wins in some darkened room.  This just proves the AFL is just a big old boy's club. 

Since it was Hird next on the list, I understand. 

I reckon the AFL won't be in happy if he says no.

Sends a great message to kids that an unrepentant, lying drug cheat can so easily be accepted back into the role of AFL hero. Whatever the pathetic micro-tradition of previous winners handing it out, this is simply not acceptable.

Well I wouldnt bother applauding him if he did it, but just decline it James

The names Norm Smith...

James Hird.

Never in same sentence

Breath

(Like i just did )

Will he be able to cope with 90,000 people booing him?

Ill boo. If i go, ill boo. Loudly. From the posh section of the members.

Afl are a bunch of [censored] morons, I have heard Ben cousins to hand over the premiership cup and lance Armstrong to toss the coin 

Business as usual for the integrity-free zone known as the AFL. Can anyone really be surprised at the depths they will plummet.

34 minutes ago, chookrat said:

Haha, saw this on the AFL site and laughed at the storm it would create here. Personally I don't have a problem with it given he did win the medal and is next in line to present. It would be different if the AFL singled him out to award the medal.

The guy should be banned for life and here they are welcoming him as if he didn't try to cheat his way to a flag.

It's almost as if the AFL don't care that their comp was corrupted.

Just now, Mazer Rackham said:

The guy should be banned for life and here they are welcoming him as if he didn't try to cheat his way to a flag.

It's almost as if the AFL don't care that their comp was corrupted.

They dont.

The afl dont think they are running a competition, they think they are producing a T.V. series.

1 hour ago, Razor said:

Apparently he hasn't responded.

Will be interesting to see if Hird declines

Sir James missing an opportunity to progress his claims of total innocence - no way he will refuse.

45 minutes ago, The Reverend said:

57 varieties of stupidity and mind numbing arrogance. It would be enough to make me boycott the GF... even if Dees were playing.

Will certainly boycott the award ceremony...possibly the whole GF. 

OMG Gil just doesn't understand. 

34 minutes ago, chookrat said:

Haha, saw this on the AFL site and laughed at the storm it would create here. Personally I don't have a problem with it given he did win the medal and is next in line to present. It would be different if the AFL singled him out to award the medal.

Disagree. It is clear that Gil lacks the guts to take a stand against unrepentant drug cheats. 

1 minute ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Business as usual for the integrity-free zone known as the AFL. Can anyone really be surprised at the depths they will plummet.

No surprise whatsoever... next they will award premiership medals to all the poorly treated 34 because they would have won were they not so unfairly suspended by nasty ASADA pressure. 

I think its marvellously honourable of the AFL to do this - their transparency in alerting Hird and Essendon about ASADA to save face was deceitful and self serving, so why stop now? - I suspect numerous mothers and fathers of these players will be sobbing tonight...and  sending quite stern correspondence to AFL HQ tomorrow.

Edited July 13, 20178 yr by Danelska

4 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

The guy should be banned for life and here they are welcoming him as if he didn't try to cheat his way to a flag.

It's almost as if the AFL don't care that their comp was corrupted.

Almost? This actually proves that they don't give a stuff about integrity. 

It's really not that far beyond the realms of possibility that Hird could be handing that medal to Hibberd. Would make for some interesting viewing (and not just because I'll be cross-eyed at the time).

1 hour ago, Stretch Johnson said:

I hope Viney throws it back at him

That tickled my funny bone quite considerably, Stretch. ?

With a boxed limited edition of 

Hird Chocolates-  

Disgusting! 

Do The AFL really want to hear 95,000 people booing a convicted Drug Cheat?

that is what they will get...

36 minutes ago, Skuit said:

It's really not that far beyond the realms of possibility that Hird could be handing that medal to Hibberd. Would make for some interesting viewing (and not just because I'll be cross-eyed at the time).

If that's the case, I hope we beat Essendon on the day. No one will know who's booing whom. 

Unbelievable arrogance!

1 hour ago, brendan said:

Afl are a bunch of [censored] morons, I have heard Ben cousins to hand over the premiership cup and lance Armstrong to toss the coin 

It would be like Lance handing over the yellow jacket in le Tour

Unfortunately, I CAN understand this.

The AFL continue to oversee the game as if it is a soap opera, or 6 movie trilogy fantasy movie. James Hird is simply the star of a previous episode and revamping him will bring them ratings and dollars. The fact he wilfully led his club into a "drugs in sport" debacle, has never apologised, and made the whole game feel dirty for a 3 year period, makes no difference. He is a golden boy, a premiership player, a Norm Smith winner blha, blah, blah...

If he does present the medal, I will have to turn the tv off for that period. Unwatchable.

1 hour ago, sue said:

Why? Presenting it is far high profile than deciding who wins in some darkened room.  This just proves the AFL is just a big old boy's club. 

Sue, irrespective of his actions as head coach of the EFC, Hird is still a legend of the game and has certainly paid the price for his role in the clubs doping program.  I think this can be a good thing especially when we consider players speaking up re mental health and I think Hird could contribute positively to the topic.

1 hour ago, Moonshadow said:

Sends a great message to kids that an unrepentant, lying drug cheat can so easily be accepted back into the role of AFL hero. Whatever the pathetic micro-tradition of previous winners handing it out, this is simply not acceptable.

It sends a better message than ostracising people who make mistakes for eternity. This can be a positive to raise awareness of doping, governance and mental health.