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WADA to lodge appeal against AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal decision on 34 current and former Essendon players

I'm not. While it would hurt if the MFC was involved in drugs etc, it has to be stomped out. Though I'm sure we wouldn't get the same level of sympathetic and sycophantic treatment from the media.

Loved when Gerard said 'but you don't and you can't prove it because if you could have you would have' when Hird said the players didn't take anything illegal. Smacked him in the face with the cloud that will hang over him for the rest of his life. Ouch.

I think the AFLPA have more questions to answer themselves. It beggars belief that they knew nothing of the injection regime at Essendon. Why didn't they step in at the time and protect their players?

WADA we sing?!

Watching Jeff's on field behaviour, I am of the opinion that he is not only a bloody good footballer but a good sportsman. He is a wonderful acquisition and exciting to watch. Let's see you kick a bag now that your court case is behind you Jeff.

I have supported BB WJ dee2014 and the many learned and reasonable comments on this site and said for some time that the whole story was outrageous. That Essendon sought to gain an advantage doing "whatever it takes" using performance enhancing drugs. That they were perhaps doing in a massive way what the rest of the AFL clubs were doing in a minor way. That Hirds status intimidated players media supporters and the public. The AFL may well have assisted in disclosure to make this go away. That records were kept and have been destroyed due to internal doubt about the legality of the program. That Danks who has insisted that he will disclose to an appropriate jurisdiction (perhaps the Supreme court will provide that) is the weak link in the EFC defence. That the EFC tactic (perhaps supported by AFL) has been to delay until such time as majority of players are retired and/or no longer affected by a ban. That the drug testing regime of the AFL has been shown to be less than rigorous. That Jobe Watson winning a Brownlow when his club was engaging in "whatever it takes" and having admitted having unknown injections has tarnished the highest award in the game. That the EFC /AFL actions in condoning the regime using the lack of anyone coming forward with facts to an authority charged with ensuring there are no drugs in sport is contributing to societal drug problems . I have sent a message to WADA as suggested by posters and am thankful that the investigation will continue. I hope that the outcome will improve the reputation of Australian sport and not harm it. I hope that all our International; sportspeople are abiding by the rules of their sports and their results will be untarnished by the actions of EFC. Orica and our cyclists are performing on a world stage in an a sport that has been forced to confront these practices and has come out stronger for it.

I was surprised at how well Whateley handled the interview and how he pulled Hird up on his call that they players were innocent. A few random things to note that will have an impact on the CAS hearing:- * the Workcover investigation could throw some light on the nature of the substance ingested by the players. Hird claims it was "thymodulin" or something labelled as such. The Tribunal found that it was not that at all - it was either TB4 or something else but it couldn't be comfortably satisfied as to which of them. * Dank has appealed the AFL Tribunal's verdict against him. If he follows the appeal through he's going to have to give some evidence and be subjected to cross examination. * the appeal involves reopening the case and a rehearing of the matter. WADA will therefore have the benefit of knowing what factors caused the AFL Tribunal to come to its conclusions and refocusing the direction of its presentation to the Court.

Loved it when Hird was saying "not guilty" and Whateley was saying, "no, that was not even considered" Hird actually thought they were cleared of not guilty of taking drugs.

Very very unlikely. First of all for the last 20 or so CAS cases heard relating to Australia, they have been all Australian Arbitrators. Read my list of them in my previous post reposted by WJ this morning on here. If they have anything to do with the AFL, or have in anyway been involved in the Essendon case, they are automatically excluded. Most of the remainder are either related to the Olympic movement or are unaligned. I am confident the hearing will be scrupulously fair. That after all is all we can ask.

WADA had to do this. Even of there is a lack of evidence, they have dfferent investigative powers and I understand different ability to compel witnesses. I suspect the worst outcome will be that they trash the EFC and the AFL for appalling governance, lack of oversight, lack of records and a drug regime that defies modern standards. They will use it to kick the AFL and their lax policy and hold the federal giovernment to account for poor procedures and processes relating to drugs in sport. It will indeed be a black day for Australian sport and our 'holier than thou' attitude when it comes to the Olympics and other drug taking countries wil be shoved back in our faces. And deservedly so. The EFC have adopted a taken no prisoners approach and we, the rest of the decent spots loving people, are the ones who will suffer massive reputational damage. I hate the EFC with a passion. Turd even more. I hope they get their comeuppance and that Hurd will be forced to resign and never work anywhere near a sporting club ever again.

And BANG !!! WADA lodges appeal to CAS https://www.wada-ama.org/en/media/news/2015-05/wada-statement-on-afl-cases

I can tell you Evans, the AFL, ASADA, and their PR and a legal advisors just about had a settlement across the line in 2013 to the satisfaction of everyone except James Hird. He, along with Doc Reid, would have had to have admit guilt and resign. Instead, he stabbed his "best friend" Evans in the back, brought in Little and went on an orgy of litigation purely to save his own neck, and buggar the welfare of the players, Evans (who subsequently had a nervous breakdown) and Essendon. For him now to say continually "it is all about the players and always has been" is staggeringly hypocritical. I think Whateley knows that and at last was calling him out on it.

no....thats Tanya's job !!!

Loved that as well. Wheatley clarified that the trial never actually made it that far. Hird's face was priceless.

Whateley asking some decent questions to Hird on 360 and Hird's true colours are bursting to come out.

the AFL and the people who run the AFL have a big interest in how well the AFL does (obviously). The CEO's Key Performance Indicators all relate to crowds through the gate, revenue (inc TV revenue and sponsorship etc etc). The AFL therefore have a HUGE vested interest in keeping the status quo - ie 9 games a week, big crowds through the gate. It is the reason the smaller clubs (dogs, north, us, etc) get shoddy sunday arvo twilight games and the big clubs get friday nights/saturday afternoons. They would stand to lose a lot of $ both personally and the league if Essendon had received a large ban as a club, or if they had been forced to play top up players all year. notwithstanding all that, it is pretty clear the AFL knew what essendon were up to. Andy D tipped them off and essendon proceeded to blame him for their mess. they found dank guilty but failed to join the most obvious of dots. the AFL then gave the club a big fine and suspended their coach for bad governance - both things designed not to impact on crowds or the bottom line. since then as far as i can tell they have been pretty much in essendon's camp (or at least not looking to punish them in any way). the AFL tribunal was the AFL appointing people in the full knowledge that if the players were found guilty that their revenue and crowds would be down. im not suggesting the 3 learned gentlemen on the tribunal panel threw the result but i am suggesting that the AFL appointed the people they wanted. Finally we will have an independent body doing the adjudicating. and its about time!

WADA see this as a test which they need to take to its logical conclusion for a number of reasons:a. it is in the biggest sport in Australia, which has up until recently had super power status when it comes to governance in sport. Basically they think if major powerful sports can get way with this stuff in Australia, then they can anywhere; b. in their belief the doping was so extensive, and so long term, that if they can't enforce it here they never will; c. several of their seminal principles were flagrantly broken: destroying evidence, possibly bribing witnesses; and d.trying to stop the local affiliate (ASADA) investigation through trivial and unwinnable court cases for the sole purpose of delaying the case, and then trying to use the delay as a means of discrediting their local affiliate. They are ropable about all four of these points. In my view, just one of them would have been sufficient justification in their eyes to enforce the sports laws.

Really? All that would come out of a not guilty verdict is that the was not sufficient proof that they cheated, or tried to cheat. The stench will persist until the entire football department and board moves on, and then some.

As I have said all along, I'm looking for closure with a final decision. If WADA can prove the EFC took performance enhancing drugs at CAS, the appropriate penalties should be given. If they can't, and the appeal fails, I will be able to going forward in life knowing my club did not cheat. That's my attitude, but I'm sure if WADA does lose, there will be a hundred conspiracy theories on here as to why. Annoyed that another season is a write off for my club, can't imagine what the players are feeling right now, let alone how they are going to get themselves up for a game of football Friday night. But in the end, if this is what it takes to get the truth, and closure, bring it on. Everyone on here is very confident that it's an open and shut case for WADA. I get the impression they don't appeal on a whim. Not that it counts for a lot around here, but early media buzz is that no one can understand why WADA would appeal. I'm happy to sit back and wait to see what happens.

Morning all. All I can say to those doubters " oh ye of little faith". It is nice to be vindicated. Fortunately my sources proved correct. And for those of you looking for more Hird propaganda, the lovely part about it is that it will not make a blind bit of difference. It is now out of the poisonous Australian sporting culture, media and political landscape, although it won't stop them trying. I'm tipping Little will be using his status as a major donor to the Liberal Party to have some favours returned by a desperate Prime Minister, but even then it won't wash. The question is what next? I would be interested to hear WJ's take on this, but the immediate next step is for Arbitrators to be appointed from the CAS dedicated Australian list ( as outline in my detailed post on this). My understanding is there will be three appointed, one by Essendon, one by ASADA/WADA, and one by CAS itself. I think by far the best qualified is John Boutlbee, a brilliant legal brain, a former Associate of a High Court judge, a senior official in the AOC/IOC, 2IC at the FFA, and a great mate of John Coates. Both Coates and Boultbee come from a rowing background originally and very much share the opinion that all Australian athletes, whether Olympic or none Olympic, should be treated equally when it comes to drug taking, including all professional footballers. Whether his role in the FFA Excludes him under CAS rules remains to be seen, although he has recently been sole arbitrator on ( I think) a major cycling case which is sort of Olympic related. I would suggest he would be a great appointment for CAS itself to make, assuming there are 3 Arbitrators. What are your views WJ, and who do you think Essendon will appoint from the list, remembering they cannot be football related. any Essendon supporters amoungst them?

Des2014 and BB, in all sincerity well done. You held the line and didn't waver. You were right. My doubts of a toothless big bad wada wolf were proven completely foundless, wrong even. Kudos also for ressiting the urge to say i told you so. I'm not sure i would have been big enough to do so in you place. Insert gif of a b grade celeb eating humble pie. Insert gif of chickens coming home to roost. Normal transmission can now resume with my area of interst continuing to be the media response.

Where are those smug Essendon apologists now? How disingenuous of Little, "It has really taken us all by surprise," Little told Triple M on Tuesday morning. Surprise, this has been going on for over 2 years and we are within the appeal period. Surprise! Little "I think the strength of the tribunal decision ... and then ASADA determining that they weren't going to appeal sort of gave us the belief that we should be OK ... we didn't do a lot of work on the what if scenario." Oh please, this would have been discussed and planned all along. The PR spin will not work at the CAS. I am reinvigorated, there may be justice after all.

Levi: You're so good at footy Hoges Jesse: Thanks bro

AFL360 . . Hird blames everyone Asada, the press, the AFL, factors within the club. Seems this jerk has completely distanced himself from the saga, must be some sort of paranoid narcissist! (Where is Freud when you need him) apparently Asada have destroyed the EFC spreadsheets showing what the players were given aka thymomodulin. Watley was ok but obviously didn't want Hird to walk out like last time. Take home: Hird is delusional and dangerous! Robbo total waste of space . . . .

And what makes it worse he is 100% confident they will get found "not-guilty" again.He believes it's just a process. The comparisons to Armstrong are a good one. He actually believes his own lies now.

Promising start from Gerard Whateley and James Hird on AFL360. Intro from Whateley: "WADA steps in to appeal the Bombers' not guilty verdict again jeopardising the futures of 34 players." James Hird: ... "2 and a half year investigation, emphatic not guilty, innocent" says the man who appealed against the ruling of a Federal Court Judge during the course of this saga but has a problem with WADA exercising its right to appeal what it considers to be a bad decision by the AFL Tribunal.

Take a chill pill mate. The point I was trying to make was the stark contrast in the medias "can't understand why they would appeal" attitude compared to Demonlands "can't understand why they wouldn't appeal" stance. I certainly wasn't saying one take was right and one was wrong. In fact, I have been one to say WADA should appeal. But it's safe to say 90% of Demonlanders have their minds made up on the subject, so hence my throw away line of "Not that it counts for a lot around here". I'm so glad you are willing to talk to me, being an outsider and all. I chose to come here naked, not hiding who I am and where my support lies. I don't troll, and I certainly didn't come here to "rumble".

How good would it be if it were against Frawley!!

Unfortunately in today's business and sporting worlds, you can say anything you like because the purpose is to portray any subject or issue in the best possible light for that organization whether it be truthful or not. Media outlets are used as part of the marketing communications strategy often knowingly and willingly. This is why we should view media commentary with suspicion. Its becoming increasingly difficult to discern the truth on anything. This sits alongside the deteriorating standards of accountability, responsibility and ethical behaviour. However, other than Hird's poor ethical standards, the thing that annoys me most is the attitude that the players are innocent of all wrongdoing. Given the regime in place, how could anyone think that what they were doing was okay? It's beyond belief. In no other case that I can think of would commentators conclude that the players or athletes were hard done by or innocent of improper behaviour.

You are Tony Abbott??

I can't believe the AFLPA is "extremely disappointed" that WADA is appealing. The attitudes of the majority of people associated with the AFL need to change. There is so much self-preservation floating around it's ridiculous. Where was their duty of care in the first place?

Tonight at Windy Hill. I think they're burning the shredders.

BB, Ash is an Essendon supporter and has behaved with good grace and sense on this site, so you should be a little kinder and cut ash some slack. I have time for his contribution and views.

What we might find is that there isn't enough evidence to get the players but the coaches, administrators and board are banned for life. And the club is sanctioned very heavily - ie banned from games etc. This will effectively be whacking the players as well The facts are: There is evidence of a doping regime. They can't find the records. (I still laugh at the "we don't know what they took but we know it wasn't illegal") They were searching for a competitive edge. They employed dodgy charlatans They by-passed their club doctor They have obfuscated and attempted to hinder the investigation The EFCs behaviour has been deplorable. Judgement time coming. And another season or two wasted. And don't forget Worksafe is still going....

I hope so. As I said before, I have some sympathy for the players but understand why they need to be whacked, but I feel that officials/coaches/management at Essendon got off way too lightly. Rubbed out of the game for life as a minimum for me.

Dawes is a role player. A very capable one. But, again, 31 Inside 50s and we are criticising the forwards for not kicking enough goals? That number is so low, and has been so low, that one can struggle to fathom how Hogan gets his two goals a game of late...

What delightful news to wake up to, simply delightful. The drug cheats will go down in flames. They have no control now, and their propaganda machine with Murdoch can't change the outcome now. Mwahahaha!

For those in the 'Essendon are cheating scum camp' would have to be happy with the rather delicious timing of the announcement. WADA had only about three hours left to appeal yet it is difficult to believe that they only just decided to proceed. There must have been many in the Bomber heirachy who were very confident they were going to let it go through to the keeper (to continue with the cricket analogy) only to now see it being smacked back over their heads. I think I like WADA

Those records would be pretty handy now..

No I wasn't on the WADA site all night..lol .... Happened to been roads works going on all night outside... at about 4.30 had enough , made a cup of tea, checked the news...and woohoo LATEST: ESSENDON chairman Paul Little has expressed his shock over the World Anti-Doping Agency’s decision to lodge an appeal on the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal’s decision regarding 34 former and current Essendon players. or as his little mate Neeldy would put it...."Geez, I didnt see that one coming !! " Shock Paul ? Really... me think you protest too much!! Tis time your felonious lot got their come uppance

Good to see WADA holding these cheating bastards to account

So is now the time when the cracks begin to appear? Will we now start to see players looking to make a deal to protect themselves; or has that ship left the dock? One can only imagine what is going on among the group at Essendon. This has the potential to fracture any solidarity that has existed up until now. You would think it will only take one player to come to the conclusion he has been screwed by the club and its so-called leaders, and that it's time to look after himself, for the whole shebang to fall apart. Interesting times ahead.

There is still a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG way to go this season. Who and what we target depends on so many variables between now and then, that identifying targets now is dumb. Our biggest priority is to continue to develop the players on our list, get games into Brayshaw, Stretch, Neal-Bullen, Oscar Mac and all our young blokes. Then, at seasons end, we identify our needs, and target them. Roos will turn the list over again, and if he is as successful at the end of this season as he has been after his first 2 seasons, then we will continue to see the improvement we have seen already. If GWS make the finals, why on earth would Dylan SHIEL leave them to come to us? Save the picks, develop the right young blokes and continue to build a team. We need to continue to improve, to make our club a place where talented young players see a future, not a place for old hacks to retire. Then, we need to identify players such as Dom Tyson who have been in the sytem a little while and target them. I have faith in Roos. He acquired a shocking list, and has done the best he can to turn it over and develop it. He continues to trim the dead wood around the club, but knows it takes time. While we have had our ups and downs so far this season, we have realistically had only 2 games that we would have expected to win, and won them both. If we get to 8 wins this season, that is a massive improvement to where we were. We will still have some high draft picks. Roos will use them wisely. Then our list will have changed dramatically again. While we are nowhere near the top teams yet, and really, not anywhere near the finals, let's not look for an overnight fix. Continue to draft top talent, and keep them. Develop a culture, and then, as we look like finishing somewhere near the finals, we target a good free agent. Timing is everything. I'm happy with Lumumba, Vince, and Garlett so far. They aren't A graders, but they have fitted in well and are better than what we had. I don't think that we should waste our time on blokes like Vickery, he hasn't been bereft of chances, just hasn't been good enough in an average team. In summary, is Roos' plan working- Slowly, yes. Do we need to make big deals yet? No, this needs to wait until our kids develop a bit. Once we have 50 games or so into Brayshaw, Hogan, Stretch, then go for it. Timing is everything.

Anything that destabilizes Essendon is good news to wake up to.

Wow. Well that is unexpectently good news to wake up to

I'm going to re-post Dees2014's thoughts from a few weeks back on the possibility of a WADA appeal. Although long, it should answer a few questions:-

Possibly up to six months or more. Another season derailed but hopefully, a lot of people will get their wish and the truth will come out.

You weren't on the WADA site spamming the refresh key all night were you 'bub?

Dawes is over rated by Dees supporters.The guy was an average player in a premiership team at the pies. Now he is the same average player in a poor team Don't expect more