As if the AFL doesn't have enough problems with TV rights, Carlton and the Kangaroos, Caro drops this BOMBSHELL -

"West Coast continues to deny it has a drug problem in its senior list but every other club - each of which would love the Eagles' list - tells you it has, and the hard evidence continues to mount.

We are not talking about marijuana."

I hope for her sake that she can substantiate this allegation.

She's hardly Robinson Crusoe making that call.

As if the AFL doesn't have enough problems with TV rights, Carlton and the Kangaroos, Caro drops this BOMBSHELL -

"West Coast continues to deny it has a drug problem in its senior list but every other club - each of which would love the Eagles' list - tells you it has, and the hard evidence continues to mount.

We are not talking about marijuana."

I hope for her sake that she can substantiate this allegation.

Geez Caro, much as we are all pretty unanimous on that subject you may have overstepped the mark. Couldn't they sue her for that comment? She's gonna have to name her sources in a "please explain?" surely...How annoying is it without white line fever on at a time like this!!? :angry:

Geez Caro, much as we are all pretty unanimous on that subject you may have overstepped the mark. Couldn't they sue her for that comment? She's gonna have to name her sources in a "please explain?" surely...How annoying is it without white line fever on at a time like this!!? :angry:

As far as I can see the Eagles have remained silent on the issue to date. I think they would surely have to make a statement on this if only to deny the allegation, otherwise some people might start believing that it's more than just a rumour.

Alternatively, maybe the Eagles don't read Melbourne newspapers?

As far as I can see the Eagles have remained silent on the issue to date. I think they would surely have to make a statement on this if only to deny the allegation, otherwise some people might start believing that it's more than just a rumour.

Alternatively, maybe the Eagles don't read Melbourne newspapers?

Mmmm, a case of selective hearing perhaps?

You would think their damage control team would be kicking into action before any more "mishaps" occur, but I guess they think they're invincible being premiers and all. Probably feel they can make their own rules!

I realise there's a few clubs, well most really, who have the odd problem with off-field issues but at what point will they draw the line? If I was *shudder* a WC fan I'd be seriously annoyed with not only the players for their behaviour (and lack of respect for their club) AND the club for their apparent lack of discipline.

BTW, aren't we lucky to have such well behaved little angels at the Dees?!

BTW, aren't we lucky to have such well behaved little angels at the Dees?!

Touch-wood!

Latest casualty is Geelong forward Steve Johnson who was arrested on Christmas Eve in Wangaratta for being drunk in a public place.

Steve failed to notify the club until today leaving Cats' Football Manager Neil Balme "bitterly disappointed" with the incident.

Maybe he's just not used to alcohol, being a professional athlete and all........

Maybe he's just not used to alcohol, being a professional athlete and all........

You can call me a wowser but ...

The problem is not just that Johnson drank alcohol but that he drank it to excess and to the point where he was arrested for drunkenness and further, that he's offended before.

And because he happens to be a professional athlete, his behaviour has breached the rules of the club that employs him. Even if it happens at Xmas time when he's off duty, that's bad news for the club and Johnson who hasn't been the same since injuring an ankle (and he's never fully recovered from that!) while making a late night exit from (of all places) a pub.

I'll be interested to see how Geelong treates his case in comparison to Carlton with Fevola which apparently didn't do too much if at all.

You can sit on your high horse all you like, but Geelong will first work out what sort of value Steve Johnson is to them before deciding on a penalty.

In the end the club (any club) is about winning games of footy and an evaluation will be made as to whether its in the clubs interest to wear the flack and keep the player or whether to cut him loose.

It has taken some monumental transgretions for players to be finally cut free from clubs for bad behaviour. Cousins survives because he is a great player. Tarrant was traded for his faults, but only after a sustained period of mediocre performance. Aker had to publicly disgrace the club and Gardner.... enough said.

If Geelong cut Johnson what they will be saying is they don't think he will add anything substantial to the teams performance and want to get rid of him because he is more trouble than he is worth.

Their treatment of Gary Ablett (junior) for the same series of offences would be completely different.

You can sit on your high horse all you like, but Geelong will first work out what sort of value Steve Johnson is to them before deciding on a penalty.

In the end the club (any club) is about winning games of footy and an evaluation will be made as to whether its in the clubs interest to wear the flack and keep the player or whether to cut him loose.

It has taken some monumental transgretions for players to be finally cut free from clubs for bad behaviour. Cousins survives because he is a great player. Tarrant was traded for his faults, but only after a sustained period of mediocre performance. Aker had to publicly disgrace the club and Gardner.... enough said.

If Geelong cut Johnson what they will be saying is they don't think he will add anything substantial to the teams performance and want to get rid of him because he is more trouble than he is worth.

Their treatment of Gary Ablett (junior) for the same series of offences would be completely different.

It's interesting that you mention G Ablett Jr. because I'd like to draw your attention to a fantastic book I read on G Ablett Snr. - "Playing God, The Rise and Fall of Gary Ablett" by Garry Linnell. It's probably the best book on football around.

Ablett Snr. started at Hwthorn which put up with his individuality and his errant ways for a couple of years before sending him packing. The Hawks recognised his potential, albeit not fully but were prepared to let him go circa 1981. A couple of years later he bobbed up at Geelong and became a footballing great although he caused no end of problems to his coaches, the committee, sponsors and some supporters (not to mention his wife, family and the unfortunate young girl he took up with after he retired and her family). His bad behaviour at Geelong was tolerated there because he was so good.

Geelong made four grand finals while Ablett was there but never won a flag. I don't blame Ablett for that but look at what Ablettless Hawthorn did during the same period.

but look at what Ablettless Hawthorn did during the same period.

Are you suggesting they'd be a worse team with Ablett playing?

The Hawthorn team of the middle 80's was as good as I've seen. Ablett, with those players around him, could have been even greater than he was.

The Hawks recognised his potential, albeit not fully but were prepared to let him go circa 1981.

Very true. Many people mistakingly believe that the Hawks made a huge blunder letting Ablett go, but they knew what they were doing. My brother was on the Hawks senior playing list at the time and there was never any doubt about his ability. In his first game for the two's as a 17 year old he had over 30 possessions and kicked 5 goals from the centre.

As for Steve Johnson ? Some players never learn. I'd need to know more of the facts, but with his recent history I'd be very tempted to cut him. That said, Thompson would look a tad inconsistent and hypocritical. I doubt he's in a position to change the culture in Sleepy Hollow given his previous 7 years.

Are you suggesting they'd be a worse team with Ablett playing?

The Hawthorn team of the middle 80's was as good as I've seen. Ablett, with those players around him, could have been even greater than he was.

Correct on both counts. IMO Ablett could have been a greater individual at Hawthorn than he was at Geelong and the Hawthorn team of the middle 80's would probably have been a worse team with Ablett playing.

A champion team is made up not only of the 22 individuals out on the ground but of the players and numerous others in the background. They all have to gel together and work as a team.

I'll lend you the book one day to help you understand what Ablett Snr. got up to at both Hawthorn and at Geelong and then you might understand why the Hawks let him go and why the decision to do so set up the Hawks for a lengthy period of success.

He was still probably the greatest individual I've seen but he was nothing compared to Ron Barassi as a complete team footballer. Barass played in 6 premiership teams, Ablett in zero.

Are you suggesting they'd be a worse team with Ablett playing?

The Hawthorn team of the middle 80's was as good as I've seen. Ablett, with those players around him, could have been even greater than he was.

Dunstall played then right? If so, I reckon he was a pretty handy FF. While most would take Ablett just ahead of him, I reckon Dunstall is just about the best FF I ever saw play.

Dunstall played then right? If so, I reckon he was a pretty handy FF. While most would take Ablett just ahead of him, I reckon Dunstall is just about the best FF I ever saw play.

Yes, but Ablett could have played midfield for the bulk of his career - one didn't have to rob Peter.

I believe he went to FF too early. But it's hard to argue.

Very true. Many people mistakingly believe that the Hawks made a huge blunder letting Ablett go, but they knew what they were doing. My brother was on the Hawks senior playing list at the time and there was never any doubt about his ability. In his first game for the two's as a 17 year old he had over 30 possessions and kicked 5 goals from the centre.

I had two mates at the time who were on Hawthorn's list and regularly spoke of the freakish skills and attributes of G. Ablett Snr. Hawthorn were well aware of his talents but could not work out how to harness them or control Ablett off the ground.

I used to play tennis with James Morrissey ex- Hawthorn who used to joke that when he joined Hawthorn they thought so much of him that they gave him Gary Ablett's old number [35]. And Morrissey was nicknamed "the freak". Ironic B)

Are you suggesting they'd be a worse team with Ablett playing?

The Hawthorn team of the middle 80's was as good as I've seen. Ablett, with those players around him, could have been even greater than he was.

I will suggest that the Cats were a better team with Excel at FF and Gary Tablett on HFF or the wing where he kicked 14 against Richmond or someone else.

With him at FF, the Cats were too reliant at him. They couldn't handle him and should have gone cold-turkey which is sort of getting back around to the subject of the La Wilson's article.

But he pick the Cats and Cats picked him; marriage made in ... I'm not sure.

What are you going to do when a promising player hits a female staff member? Not recruit an elderly Clarkson, a Nick Pesch, that guy from the Saints, that SA guy from the Maggies. That's what actually hurts you.

Geez Caro, much as we are all pretty unanimous on that subject you may have overstepped the mark. Couldn't they sue her for that comment? She's gonna have to name her sources in a "please explain?"

She doesn't have , nor need, any sources.

The AFL and AFLPA successfully sought an injunction against Fairfax and others to prevent publication of offending players named in the AFL's own drug report which some of the media got hold of and wished to publish.

The silence of the AFL and relevant clubs will be deafening on this.

Caro's article would have been well and truly 'legaled' before pulication.

Good on her for calling a spade a spade. - Pretty rare in AFL media circles.

Never bite the hand that feeds you etc.

I will suggest that the Cats were a better team with Excel at FF and Gary Tablett on HFF or the wing where he kicked 14 against Richmond or someone else.

I was there that day.

It was the greatest display of football Ive seen.

He played on the HFF and got his own ball most of the time.

It looked to me like geelong were given the team instruction to kick it to FF where Excel was.

Ablett interrupted that ploy, and I dont remember him being fed at all, by Couch, Hocking etc..

Ablett was the best Ive seen with Matthews second, and and I was pretty young then.

Then daylight. Just My Opinion.

I used to think Alan Johnson was the pretty near the best in his time, but after watching his great game for WA with Buckenara in the late eighties beating the Vics, I realised that Bucky was everything Johhno was.... plus bigger, stronger.

Bucky was probably in the top ten of his club at the time.

This made me reflect where we were. Although we won games we couldn't beat Hawks and Blues when it counted.

BTW, aren't we lucky to have such well behaved little angels at the Dees?!

I wouldn't be so sure...

Latest casualty is Geelong forward Steve Johnson

If you reckon Geelong have an issue, what about Richmond?

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/tig...7777218432.html

I was there that day.

It was the greatest display of football Ive seen.

Yes, but curiously, I was always confident with Stretch or later Seecamp at FB.

I wouldn't be so sure...

(I was being sarcastic)

Maybe we just hide our darker side better - there's a DEMON in all of us isn't there?!

(I was being sarcastic)

Maybe we just hide our darker side better - there's a DEMON in all of us isn't there?!

And it's a very good thing indeed that we hide our Dark Side B) !