SaberFang

I'm not sure about that... Public opinion swung against Essendon quite a bit when WADA won, and nobody was on the player's side (outside the media) when they appealed. Of course, I'm only basing that on a small group of personal friends, family and comments sections on other websites. I'm sure the delusional Hird fanatics will never see the light.

I think the silence from ASADA is quite classy really. Leaving these AFL idiots to stew in their own bile.

Now Luke Beveridge is getting in on the action, trying to outdo the idiotic comments made by his club's president. These idiots just do not get it. If Roosy came out blasting WADA and citing Essendon's removal from finals 3 years ago as "punishment enough," I'd be after blood.

I'm pretty convinced the appeal will never get up. Their entire argument is ridiculous. It would take a grievous error in CAS' judgment for the appeals board to even contemplate a hearing, something as drastic as WADA using fraudulent evidence in their case. I'm not even sure new evidence from Essendon would be admissible in an appeal (not that this would ever happen, as we're endlessly reminded, "there's no proof they took any drugs!"

Oh joy, we can look forward to an extra 3 hours of Hamish "Rompingwins" McLachlan commentary each week! .. What did we do to deserve this fate?

This. It's a shocking look for him and the rest of the drug cheats who changed clubs. I can only imagine what the rest of the squad think about his total inability to accept responsibility; a toxic mentality for a young team like ours, and I'd hate to think any of our kids look at him as a role model for personal responsibility. Worse for Carlisle after his cocaine snorting video came to light. Downright laughable is his audacity to fight these charges so hard.

I would've thought they're only destroying any future lawsuits against Essendon by endlessly proclaiming they are innocent of all responsibility, not drug cheats, did nothing wrong, fighting to "clear their name", etc. How can you then turn around and say, "actually, on second thoughts, we are guilty and are drug cheats and we all want millions of dollars because you gave us illegal drugs!" Especially when Essenscum will turn around and say, "we appealed here, we funded this, we funded that, we did everything to help you and, by the way, here's all the evidence that shows you were all complicit and we have no case to answer!" Their legal advice is absolutely shocking and that not one of them is smart enough to realise they're being taken for a ride.

This does nothing to endeavour Melksham into our culture. No buy-in whatsoever. Very disappointing.

He never was the sharpest tool in the shed. What a way to endear yourself to new teammates.

Great attitude you have there. Wanna tell that to his face?

The problem now for the players is that as more evidence comes to light revealing their duplicity in the saga, the clearer it becomes that key parties are likely withholding smoking-gun evidence as an insurance policy. Essendon won't touch Dank because they know he would tear EFC and Hird's narrative to shreds if he were pushed. Similarly, the players are probably scared to go after Essendon knowing how well-connected the club is to senior media figures who drive public opinion. Within days all kinds of dirt would start being flung to any player who dared turn against the cult; just look at the appalling campaigns against Carlisle and Ryder. Everyone's walking on eggshells after 4 years of lies, mistruths and outright deceit. The likely truth is that all were complicit in the illegality of the program and "being duped" simply became the convenient narrative once they got caught. As more evidence has come to light, the clearer it's become just how far from innocent these players are.

Fair to say Sam Mitchell isn't much of a fan.

Love me some Rita. Isn't it amazing to read what an actual journalist will write about the AFL when they have no AFL media accreditation at stake?

But, but... Gil made BILLIONS by signing away the game to the broadcasters! I'm really staggered the broadcasters don't demand the AFL implement stronger methods of equalization. It's only a disservice to their ratings if this continues to devolve into an EPL-style competition where only a select number of teams can compete and play finals. What's the point of having so many teams if you have the same ones at the top winning all the time?

So it will never happen?

I hope our Insurance company is as generous as Essendon's! Maybe we can claim Melksham's entire contract through them?

Tonight? It's more of a 24/7 affliction for poor Middymalt.

Is there a possibility they could face longer bans if their appeal fails? ie. they could face the new maximum penalty of 4 years instead of 2 (as this was the maximum allowed under the code back in 2012).

I will be really, really disappointed in Melksham if he's part of the group appealing. It really displays, in my opinion, a total lack of buy-in with the new culture, team and environment we're paying him big money to be part of.

Gil would first need to consult every remaining club once again, and not just the CEO's, but every employee right down to the cleaner. Then just ignore the result, because AFL.

And reliably announced at COB Friday afternoon (straight out of the grubby politician handbook) when nobody cares and heads out on the town. Pathetic, predictable. And we know this was decided days ago (hence the leak to Adelaide media) but they held off until now to announce it.

Or laughing. Or having any fun whatsoever.

So trying to get off on a technicality. Tsk, tsk. Take your medicine you guilty pricks.

I suppose getting the EFC to fund the appeal makes the most sense. No out-of-pocket legal fees, and no harm done if the decision isn't overturned because you can still turn around and sue EFC anyway.