Flying Cloud

This.... "Professor Smith said athletes who used steroids in the 1960s and 1970s were now dying in disproportionate numbers." Whoever is to blame for what happened at Essendon should go down big time.

It is also far better argued than the discussion over at Bigfooty which goes something like... Non-Essendon Supporter "They took banned drugs" Essendon Supporter "No they didn't" Non-Essedndon Supporter "Yes they did" etc. etc.

Ahh No. Just because the AFL manage the pay system doesn't give the AFL the right to go browsing through the records. AD can't just ring up Payroll and say tell me what Hird is being paid this month. That would be a breach of Privacy Act (1998). If he did that that then the same "journalist" would be after him for breaking that law.

Problem for Demetriou right from the start was that he knew that this could result in Essendon being suspended for two years (my understanding of the penalties if a team has multiple infractions). If Essendon is out of the comp, then as well as the obvious issues of Essendon fans being p!ssed, the impact on the reputation of the game etc etc., but the big one will be the TV rights being up for re-negotiation!

Is only 40 Km from where Geelong train!

Any member can nominate. Only need a couple of other members to sign the form.

Hi fork, what's the main ground at Alice like? Does it have lights? Stands? What is the capacity? Has it ever hosted any other big games, League or soccer?

I reckon it is probably easier to turn a wayward player around if you get them to move from Melbourne (or Adelaide or Perth) to Sydney where there is less of the AFL pressure cooker environment and the player is removed from his other "friends" who encourage bad behavior. I am sure Roosy can provide them with an opportunity to turn around, but when temptation is so close at hand it may be more difficult.

We are still a mathematical possibility to make finals in 2014!

Is a VERY long flight from Perth to the US!

Thanks Flash.

Any chance of the other 17 clubs fighting any injunction brought by Essendon on the basis that players risk injury, and therefore their income, every time they go out on the field. They could argue that playing Essendon while under a injunction could creates a risk that would not otherwise exist. Put another way, if a player broke their leg which ended their career playing Essendon, and then later Essendon is found to have been found guilty and therefore the game should not have been played, then the players career has been ended as a result of the injunction. Interested in legal eagles views.

I am sure I have read that two or more doping infractions on individuals result in ASADA/WADA automatic suspension of the team. Also where does all this fit with the pokies licences that Essendon hold?

That's my understanding as well.

Probably figure there is more than enough investigators in there already. Doesn't mean they won't.

And isn't brilliant that there are no leaks. Sign of good administration.

A caller on the radio yesterday noted that AFL clubs know how many kicks, how many tackles, even how many push-ups - but Essendon doesn't know which drugs which given to which players.

Caro's line... Despite the fact ASADA believes it has enough evidence to move on players, it is waiting to continue investigating Essendon's program under new legislative powers. Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/anger-simmers-below-surface-as-charges-laid-20130813-2rumw.html#ixzz2btMba0im From my reading it is either this, or, they know that Essendon had banned drugs, they know they were injecting players with a range of things, but they don't know exactly which players, if any, received which banned drug due to poor record keeping by Essendon. They also want to find out how on earth Dank believes all was OK, and so want to interview him before handing down their findings.

If we are looking for a coach who hasn't made a mistake will have to be a rookie. I am sure he has learnt his lesson from that.

Young, proven footy brain, 5 years senior coach experience, will still have the fire, point to prove, his win loss ratio is far better than Melbourne's over the last 5 years. Also have heard that 2nd time around coaches have a pretty good record. Not saying definite, but should be considered.

I reckon if this thread gets to 100 pages then he just has to take the job! No choice really.

So what happens if Essendon is banned from the comp under the two or more players in a team rule. Do the AFL invite a Williamstown or some other established club to join the comp? They won't/can't have a bye under the TV rights deal.

What's worse than this is that some players have now mastered the skill of "loosing control" of the ball in the tackle to the direct advantage of their team mates. They take on the tacklers, loose the ball in the tackle and their team mate just happens to be in the very spot where they lost the ball.

It is the only way WADA can work. Otherwise cheats can manufacture minor derivatives of real performance enhancing drugs and get away with. WADA struggles to stop cheats taking drugs they know about, never mind ones invented yesterday. The biggest problem I have with the whole situation is that the message being sent by Essendon to the niave and young is that it is fine to push the limits of drugs or cheating to win, and you can always get off on technicalities. As a father of a son keen to succeed in sport, it worries me that the suggestion is that pushing the limits with drugs is ok. even taking drugs not yet proven to be ok for humans. Stuff essendon, the AFL is on trial here.

None have coached to a premiership at 3 clubs. Good luck Carlton.