Bedraggled Dee

I think the main problem is space. We should have taken the Lexus Centre when we had the chance. We should have been the first one banging the State governements door down as the sporting precinct was being developed but we may have missed that boat. I cant see anywhere around the G where we can centralise the whole club, admin and FD in one place, The FD share with the Storm, the Rebels and the Victory with no room forn anything else. We need a centralised Club with state of the art facilities including a training ground and if possible a social club that is in or near the CBD. I agree Melb UNi is not the CBD but short of other options it may be the best one.

What a fantastic interview. Looking at Neita I was thinking we could do with him out there now. Neita was and is a champion. Great bloke, great cpatain and despite no flags can hold his head high in the company of Barassi etc. Great to see him and a bunch of the old players getting together for boys weeked in Adelaide for round 7. Watching Wallis cowardly attack on Green did nothing to improve my opinion of Essendon. Thugs and drug cheats IMO and will be seen as that for a generation.

I thoght exactly the same. I recon Gazza knew a lot more than we do. If Chip uis going I recon Gazza shold be taliking him up so we maximise the compensation. The more I see of Chip the more I thnk he is gone. I would love him to resign and I dont think we can afford to lose solid developed players from the club but I just cant see him staying. He might not be the sharpest peanut in the turd but even he can see the hard road ahead for clubs like the Dees and knows his best chance of a permiership medal lies elsewhere.

Lots of isues to be resolved but none of those are not able to be solved and there is nothing wrong with the vision. Melbourne should be the city club and linking it to icons like the Uni is a good plan. Its about time the club had a single administration, training and hopefully social facility in the city. Linking the club to the capabilities and potential of the Uni is great idea and could get us access to cutting edge science and technology. The cost of development could be offset by access to those facilities and technologies and also through access to Government money. My preference would be for something near the G but after squibbing on the Lexus centre and leaving the door ajar for Coolingwood to walk through I think that horse has bolted.

What we dont need is the Neeld revolving door again but Roos may want to make a point after such a poor first half. I have loved how Roos has set a standard in the 2's and stuck to it. JKH probably deserves to come in for Barry. Nicholson out for MacKenzie who deserves another run. The only other possible change would be Blease for Salem if Blease is finally doing what is asked of him in the twos.

Can anyone tell me what tanking is? I have never been able to come up with a definition. Its not throwing games because that would require the players to be involved in match fixing. If it is playing players out of position or restricting interchanges then we are guilty this year. Is it just any of these thngs when you are in a position to get the wooden spoon? The only thing I can up with is tanking when the club administration doesnt mind loosing irrelevant games if that means a better draft pick. While that on its own is common to all bottom 2 or 3 clubs each season there has to be some action that gives effect to that desire that constitutes tanking.

I agree. I dont think we have the cattle to compete at the highest level yet and we will need a couple of years of uncompromised drafts and some luck to get the required talent into the club. I think GWS will be able to trade for a number of years to come to get early draft picks from there unwanted youngsters. They will eventualy field a team of 18 first round picks. To regenerate our list we need to do a couple of things. Hang onto required players we have developed (eg Frawley), Find a few more Vinces and Tysons to bolster the list and maybe finally pick the right player in the draft. We have been put back by the loss of Clark and the injury to Hogan. When Roos came in he would have thought the foward line and back line were in place and all he needed was to add some midfield class and depth. Unfortunately the forwad line is now short at least one quality big goal kicker and will need some time together to operate as a unit. the backline while solid will be shallow if Chip leaves. Very hard to fix each end of the ground and get some class in the midfield with ongoing compromised drafts and a thin talent pool. As much as a wish to be wrong, I think the pain will continue for a few years to come.

I dont think there is any doubt that the action take by Hird and Little is the day in court Hird has always wanted. He has never accepted any wrong doing in relation to this and was always inclined to fight the AFL's response in the courts. He is targeting the legality of the interim report and the 'joint investigation' for one reason only and that is to clear his name. If that results in the players getting off as well then thats a bonus. IMO if Hird and the club are successful in this Federal Court case further procedings will be taken against the AFL to have the penalties for bringng the game into disreput ruled invalid. If that occurs the players and Essendon will sue the AFL for millions in losses and damages. It would be travesty of justice if evidence held by ASADA was unable to used and the Club was left the only winner. Not sure that the courts will allow that to occur.

I hope the AFL puts fat head Eddie back in his box. How dare anyone from Collingwood complain about fixturing. Try making a quid when you play at 4;40 every second Sunday including Mothersday. The filth are the recipients of millions each year from a benficial draw which clubs like us and the doggies do not get access to. His complaint, if he has one should be with his own supporters who cant be bothered turning up.

Dont know what drug but highly likely given its the Bombers that a drug is involved. Its almost like an alien mind control scene from a 60's scifi.

The wife and I went across for the Crows games Round 7. We stayed on North Terrace in the Mercure which is a short walk to the ground. Adelaide oval is fantasic well worth the trip. The South Aussies were very welcoming and we attended the SA Demons prematch function which was good. Every Crows supporter we talked to were dirty on Bernie being traded. Fantastic trip with the win beng the cherry on top. Hope the Dees make it 2 from 2 for you.

You are showing your age

Rabid Bombers collegue believes that Essendon is pathfinding for AFL clubs and that all the clubs are behind the Bombers who if successful will forge a bright new future for the AFL outside of the WADA code. She thinks the Gold Coast will join the Bombers shortly in an aliance against the AFL and ASADA, not sure why? Unbelievable that otherwise rational and intelligent people can be so convinced by the spin from Essendon. It does nothing but convince me that that clubs culture is a cult like toxic mix of blind faith and stupidity. I cant help compare wth the commentary on the Demons tanking affair and how most supporters were outraged that the club was singled out but no one was dumb enough to belive that strings were not pulled to ensure we got the No 1 pick. I am still not sure what tanking is and am convinced the players that ran out tried to win on every occasion but I dont think the membership was blind to the reality. Given the Bomber atitude I cant see them ever letting go and moving on. Regardless of the outcome today or the later ruling this will go on for a very lng time will cost the code and the cubs a significant amount of money. This could see the death of clubs like the Bulldogs and maybe us because potentially there will not be same money around in terms of television rights and sponsership going forward. The AFL for all its attempts to control the fall out may well have failed and made the situation worse. Its easy in hindsight but maybe the best approach would have been to step back let ASADA do its thing and come in after the event. If that meant taking a premiership cup or two off the Bombers then so be it.

Not sure how any intelligent person can read whats been written and mainain a fervent view that Essendon are innocent. I can understand wanting them to be innocent and suported the club regardles of the actions of individuals but it seems many at the club have invoked the ostrich defence on this one

There is statute law that enacts the WADA code and ASADA but to be subject to that law you have to sign up to the code. There are plenty of sports in Australia that dont and are not subject to these laws. The rules of evidence will apply as will principles of natural justice and common law but I think these are overridden by statute law. I haven't read the Act and probably need to to comment further but statute law regularly snuffs out peoples human rights. It is simlar to many UN conventions and the like that Australia is signatory to, These conventions are enacted in Australia through statute law that gives force to the convention or code in Australia.

I th Not sure its as black and white as that. Given the need to find a tall to play forward the discussion would inevitably have included the likelyhood of Chip leaving and I would hope would impact on the decision. That being said it is obviously not the only factor. In relation to Chips decision to ut off negotiations, that is his right, I just dont like it and it lowers Chips standing to me. I personally think he has discussed his desire to go with Club officals if the club does not perform in the short term so may stay if win another 6 or more games but if we only get one or two more wins he will be off. I dont blame him I just dont like players not supporting the club as much as I do.

Unfortunately the process being followed by ASADA is to one required by code signed up to by the AFL and the clubs. The time to argue this was then not know once you have f%$kd up. I am not sure of the mechanics of the review panel but it is independant and will review all the evidence. If the players dont agree with the result and penalty apllied by the AFL then the can appeal it to the Court of arbitration. I am sure ASADA have provided evertything they are required to up to this point. You can argue that natural justice has not been served by the players not being given the brief to prepare a defence but this is not a court its a voluntary code that Essendon have signed up to.

The Bumbers appear to isolated themselves from the AFL administration and most other clubs and have renderd it impossible for the AFL, ASADA or any other agency to work with them in any way. Most agencies apply the law with a degree of discretion through the prosecutors office and that is always in favour of the accused. What Little and Hird have done is ensure that the law will be applied to the letter and that realy is not in the interest of the club or the players. There is no chance of the AFL or politicians attempting to apply any influence on the outcome of this now. The AFL is now in defence mode regarding the conduct of the initial investgation and cannot support the Bumbers even if they wanted to. If Essendon win the Federal court matter they are likely to lodge writs against the AFL and seek compensation for punishment already received. The AFL's interests now firmly lie with the success of the ASADA case as do the interests of the other clubs that rely on the finances of the AFL and that cannot be good for Essendon. There is a reason Bomber Thompson stated in a presser that the club felt isolated and alone, its because they are. The realy stupid thing is that even a complete win in the Federal Court in favour of the Bumbers it will see them condemed for ever more as drug cheats because it only reinforces their guilt.

Holding the ball interpreation is rubbish. All it does is encourage the tackler/s to hold the ball in resulting in more scrimages and rolling mauls. There are loads of examples of holding the ball where the player awarded the free kick actually has possesion of the ball. Definately does not reward the ball players like Viney. The rule itself is okay but the interpretation should be where there is no reasonable opportunity the Umpires should ball it up. You reduce ball ups by paying incorrect disposals when they occur even if the ball is knocked out in the tackle. That would encourage quicker movement rather than encouraging players to pile on top and hold the ball in.

I would rather have had Hill, Hurley, Yarran, Rich or Ziebell

Is it just me or do others think that Watts plays Basketball on an AFL oval? To me he looks like his instincts are more bastketball than football and I cant see him breaking those habits. I doubt he will never reach the level required to be a top 22 player in a successful team. He seems like a great kid and I dont think he lacks desire or courage but I am fast reaching the conclusion that he has made a terrible mistake in picking AFL above basketball. Who knows but with his skill set and atheltism he may have lost the chance of an NBL career and the chance of an olympic medal.

Just watched the presser, very impressive young man our Jack. You can see why he was looked at as a leader and why he went no2. I would love to see him come back and tear games apart if any one deserves it this bloke does. Despite all the missmanagement and the crap this club has thrown at him he has stayed loyal and strong. He is a ripper.

I think the point about our recruiting is not that the recruiters made decisions (in most cases) that others would not have made but that despite best efforts the return from the recent recruiting has been poor for a range of reasons. Cook was a risk that should not have been taken, some of the others like Blease, Tapscott, Clark, Evans and Strauss have been crueled by injury and no where near where they should be right now for the time they have had on the list. Scully, Jurrah, Wonaeamirri, Mclean, Sylvia and Moloney left for any number of reasons and others like Gysberts, Tynon, Trengove, Watts and Morton never or have not yet reached their potential. Even a 30% return of quality best 22 players from the above list today would make us a very different side. I think our recruiting has been rubbish but that is not just the fault of the recruiters. Luck and fate have played their part as well.

Has anyone heard any wispers regarding Trenners. He seems to be struggling with something, injury? state of mind? This bloke was a No 2 draft pick and could easily have been No 1, a Captain and a current member of the leadership now struggling in the 2's. I know he has looked slow for a few years but training stats show his tank is right up there and given he is up around the 80 game mark we should be seeng his emergence as a quality AFL midfielder. Is it just that he was mishandled by the club? I recon he is ripper and has given everything to this club. When is his contract up? Is he another one looking for greener pastures maybe back in Adelaide?

You are a fool and should be consigned to the dustbin of life. He has let no one down, in fact you have let every Melbourne support down way more than Mitch Clarke with you illconsidered ad stupid comments. I am tempted to believe you did this for the effect and I am just rewarding childish behaviour but what the heck you are a fool and deserve to be called one.