Whispering_Jack

I don't believe Essendon wanted the involvement of the players but perhaps they sensed that, without their involvement, their action was unlikely to succeed. The fact that the players have been prevailed upon to consider becoming parties to the action is fraught and demonstrates why it was not a good idea in the first place that their legal representatives were paid by Essendon. Last Friday David Grace QC suggested the players didn't want to be involved in the action. Now, it seems that they do - so what's changed in the last 4 or 5 days? And if they lose the case, what would the player involvement do to the "discount" offered to them by ASADA after the issue of the show-cause notices for co-operating? They can hardly argue that they co-operated after taking the body they were supposed to be co-operating with to court? No such consideration was given to Wade Lees - Banned VFL player Wade Lees warns ASADA will look to hit Essendon for six or Ahmed Saad.

James Hird Statement of Claim Coming from someone who always claimed he was eager for the truth to come out, this doesn't sit well. I don't see a great deal of merit in this and although we also need to know what ASADA is going to say in response, I have the Applicants well down early - say by about 15 points at the first break.

I don't believe it was that great a career move by the Wiz but don't blame his management - they got him a lot of money and the story I heard was that he picked up a packet to sign on. Did Melbourne try hard enough to keep him here? I don't think they did well out of the trade either.

I hope this isn't too old hat but I got around to watching Sunday's ABC Offsiders presented by Gerrard Whateley with panelists Waleed Aly, John Harms and Roy Masters and I must admit the discussion became a little too high brow for me once they embedded themselves in a discussion on Albert Camus and existentialism. Pity, because the discussion about the happenings in the World Cup was quite absorbing. However, I was struck by a comment made by the host about Louis Suarez to the effect that "you can't help a man with a problem if he won't admit he has the problem". Too right I reckon and Whateley should listen to his own advice because he truly has lost the plot with his cheerleading for the Essendon cause on the doping issue.

G'day Bub, I assume you're referring to the current action brought by EFC and Hird. I believe mediation is unlikely although the Judge did make the suggestion (which they usually do). The parties know that a mediated result is unlikely so they won't be wasting their time and money on a worthless exercise that would otherwise cost in the tens of thousands. Discovery of documents would be limited to those documents relevant to what the Applicants are claiming so I don't expect that ASADA would release the meat and bones of its case. Whilst the proceedings are playing out, the show-cause notices are on hold so ASADA is not obliged to give the players any details of the evidence they have against them and I don't expect anything to be forthcoming until the trial on 11-13/8. If the application fails, (and the decision could be handed down on the spot or more likely, a week or two at best after it ends) the show cause notice period of (now) 14 days will start running and by the time infraction notices are issued the season will be over. With that, will be gone any opportunity for the players to cop the supposed 6 months on offer and serve it in the second half of season 2014 which was apparently available when the show-causes were first issued. Best case scenario is that players would probably have to stand out till mid season 2015, worst case that they could cop 2 years. I expect that if the Federal Court action fails, it won't be long before some of the players cave in and Dank and Hird are likely to get infraction notices and they will go as well. But by then, infraction notices may well be Dank's least concern.

How very true but as long as there's a better pick available for coming last or second last, what evil is there for a club that drops a game here or there and gets the prized draft picks? In any event, I think the Doggies game sealed our fate. I'm absolutely convinced that Melbourne tanked its game against the Western Bulldogs and that in a few years time we'll be investigated, have a few show-cause notices thrown at us and eventually fined and sanctioned over this godawful mess. That last goal from Marcus Bontempelli that won the game for the Dogs was truly a Jordan McMahon moment. And those injuries to Daniel Cross and Tom McDonald were just a little too convenient for my liking because we surely would have won had they played. With Tommy out, were we really forced to move Spud Frawley out of attack leaving a slightly out of form Chris Dawes as our only marking forward? Why not move Jumping Jeremy Howe up there to take the big grab? And why was JKH languishing out at Casey Fields when he was the matchwinner with three goals at Etihad when the Dees won their NAB Cup game there earlier in the year. I wonder if anyone noticed the look on Peter Jackson's face about five minutes after the final siren sounded? Did I detect a faint smile? Was there a meeting at the club involving welfare officers and recruiting staff to discuss the tactics, strategies and team plays during which a club official made a comment about Zulus in a moment of levity? Quick. Let's get onto the blower to give Robbo a scoop for AFL360 and a double page spread for a future edition of the Herald Sun. The tank is definitely on again!

That's the gist of it because in its desperation to avoid any responsibility EFC is creating a noose for itself and its players.Meanwhile ... the clink of cash registers as the money for lawyers keeps rolling in. James Hird accuses ASADA of briefing AFL early over interim Essendon report James Hird attacks ASADA over rights and says show-cause notices are void I don't think much of Hird's case.

Jordie McKenzie comes back from suspension just as Nev Jetta prepares to take his week off thanks to the MRP. On the injury front:- Melbourne injury list: round 16 Shannon Byrnes (foot) – season Daniel Cross (leg) – 4-6 weeks Jesse Hogan (back) – 4-6 weeks Jayden Hunt (back) – 4-6 weeks Tom McDonald (calf) – test Jake Spencer (ankle) – season Jack Trengove (foot) – season

Big day today starting with the Women's Game this morning. It really does seem like yesterday when we were robbed beaten by the Doggies.

I wasn't at the game but I've been at the ground and experienced some memorable games at Pitcher Park (I think spelt incorrectly in the article?). They used to play Sunday league games there in the 50s & early 60s and then it was also an amateurs venue known for supporters whose wrong side you didn't want to be if the home side was losing. I recall someone once wielding an axe there one day. Times have changed I guess.

Thanks. That's part of the thrust of what I was saying - in addition to the fact that in these cases the blame is often put on others but rarely does the person look inward. I hope its understood that I wasn't simply picking on one player here but it's a general thing. It also touches on how we as a club have recruited and developed players over the past decade. I think we're a better club now for the experience.

Yep. All good stuff and well picked up by the author who has a good sense of what goes on in these cases. In the meantime, the circus outside the courtroom continues and Essendon's attack on the AFL foreshadowed in the court has predictably been picked up by one of its media proxies Chip Le Grand in the Australian. The focus is now on AFL "integrity" manager Brett Clothier - Court focus on AFLs integrity chief "AFL integrity manager Brett Clothiers handling of confidential anti-doping information has emerged as a central issue in Essendon and coach James Hirds Federal Court case against the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority." While I agree that Clothier may have to justify certain things he might have said or done it's a side issue and doesn't go to the heart of either this application by Essendon or the to the doping allegations facing the club. Like last week's brainfart from Mark Robinson who attacked the very existence of the "Essendon mother" which backfired when Eddie McGuire replayed the interview and Jobe Watson admitted it reflected the feelings of many Bomber parents, this is yet another counterproductive effort from a camp that becomes more and more desperate. The whole thing is unraveling before Little's very eyes.

I hear what you say about the management of Jordan Gysberts and I have little doubt that the history of VFL/AFL football is littered with such tales of what might have been with players if only they had been treated differently. I still find it hard however, when the blame is attributed to one person and one person alone, namely his coach in his final year at the club. Why not Bailey who was coach when that trip to China took place? Why not the various medical teams while Gysberts was at the club? Why not the fitness people or player welfare people? Given that he played most of his last year at the club in the VFL, what about Brett Lovett who was his coach over there? And would not the player himself and his make up have something to do ultimately with his failings as a player? I'm sure he gave it his best shot at North Melbourne as well but never got a game so I guess it's easy to say he was damaged goods before Brad Scott got hold of him but nobody at the Kangaroos picked up on this when they recruited him? And if he would have turned into a champion under Paul Roos, then why are Blease, Strauss and Tapscott - all top 20 draft picks - languishing at Casey today without having played a senior game this year? I understand that I might sound harsh about one single individual who had a difficult time at the club and saw his hopes of a stellar football career shattered but perhaps it's wrong for people to always go through life blaming others when perhaps they should be looking inward to discover why they might not have achieved what they wanted when they set out on their journey.

When you follow the game and there's more action behind the scenes and in the court rooms and board rooms, you get to feel that the game's really in the doldrums. But then every once in a while you pick up and read a gem like this from Martin Flanagan - Pride, passion and a culture of inclusion prevail in footy's new heartland

When Matt Burgan was with the AFL and doing those magnificent phantom drafts, I remember he suggested Zaharakis as a possible draft pick in his bottom age year. I think we went for Kyle Cheney instead. Now, I wouldn't go near an Essendon player with a 10 foot pole unless he came with a certificate from ASADA clearing him of any possible connection with its anti-doping investigation. Nothing less than complete immunity would do. This is despite the fact that it's been said in Zaharakis' case that he didn't take part in the injection process because he doesn't like needles. You can ingest peptides in other ways and nothing personal against Essendon players, but I don't want the club to be in the Western Bulldogs' position with Stewart Crameri where they have a massive case of egg on the face and Peter Gordon is inexplicably critical of the ASADA investigation.

Williamstown is a stand alone VFL team this year and looking at its line up I can't see many names with which I'm familiar. Casey, on the other hand, even with the deletion of names of the players who are playing for Melbourne tomorrow, will have 12 AFL listed players (allowing for 1 player to be held back as emergency). It really doesn't say very much about our depth if Williamstown is a firm favourite and it says even less about the quality of the VFL listed players at the club. The players most under the gun for the future would have to be the trio of top 20 draft picks in Blease, Strauss and Tapscott who haven't played a single game for Melbourne this year. For Blease who has been averaging in the high 20's for disposals in difficult conditions in recent weeks suggests he is completely out of favour with Roos who obviously doesn't like his style of play. And to think, he once kicked five goals against St. Kilda when they were still a top side and Melbiurne these days struggles to find players who can break the lines and score.

Welcome to the world of the courtroom Soidee. If you watched the telecast you would have seen and heard a judge and a few barristers speaking about procedural matters and in doing so, not that it matters much in that instance, they're all bound to be truthful and I reckon that all of them told the truth. But you would have also noticed that none of them had to pick up a bible or make an affirmation which obliged them to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. That sort of thing will come when witnesses start giving evidence but looking at the array of potential witnesses in these proceedings and on what I read about them on twitter, if you're looking for the "truth" I suggest you try the cartoon channel.

Last week's TAC Cup Future Stars Rolling Draft:- 1. St. Kilda Patrick McCartin (Tall Fwd) Falcons 2. Brisbane Peter Wright (Tall Fwd) Cannons 3. GWS Giants Christian Petracca (Med Fwd) Ranges 4. Richmond Jarrod Pickett (Mid/Sml Fwd) Sth Freo 5. Melbourne Angus Brayshaw (Midfielder) Dragons 6. Western Bulldogs Sam Durdin (Tall Fwd) West Adel 7. Carlton Tom Lamb (Tall Fwd) Stingrays 8. West Coast Clem Smith (Sml Def) Perth 9. Adelaide Jake Lever (Tall Fwd) Calder 10. Gold Coast Caleb Marchbank (Tall Def) B'rangers Draft order based on positions at start of Round 14 #TACFSrollingdraft

Melbourne had a fair afternoon on this day 27 June, fifty years ago. The Demons beat the Tigers decisively in all three grades and came away with a 113 point win in the senior game at the MCG before a crowd of 27,614 Melbourne 4.5.29 11.13.79 16.16.112 23.18.156 Richmond 0.2.2 3.4 .22 5.7.37 6.7.43 THE TEAM B: Neil Crompton Bernie Massey Don Williams HB: Tony Anderson Brian Roet Brian Leahy C: Brian Dixon "Hassa" Mann Frank "Bluey" Adams HF: Bryan Kenneally Graeme Jacobs Barrie Vagg F: Bob "Tassie" Johnson Barry Bourke John Townsend FOLL: Graham Wise Ron Barassi Ken Emselle 19/20: Bob Carroll Graeme Watson Goals Ron Barassi Graeme Jacobs John Townsend 4 Ken Emselle 3 Barry Bourke Bryan Kenneally 2 Bob "Tas" Johnson "Hassa" Mann Barrie Vagg Graham Wise Best Ron Barassi Brian Roet John Townsend Frank "Bluey" Adams "Hassa" Mann Graeme Jacobs The winning margin was the biggest of Norm Smith's coaching career and to make it sweeter, the hapless Tigers were coached by his brother Len. Demon captain and Norm Smith protégé Ron Barassi was having a stellar season and was easily best on ground with his inspirational play and four goals. The win saw Melbourne take second place on the ladder after ten rounds.

I think the Bombers had a reasonable day in court despite not getting up with their claim for injunctive relief. They and Hird are clearly angling for a sight of ASADA's documentation but remember, the discovery will only go to matters of substance relevant to their application to have the investigation declared ultra vires. I don't think it was a good day for the players with show cause notices - they remain on edge until late in the season and run the risk of lay offs well into 2015 and possibly to the end of 2016 and ASADA wants them to be joined as parties to this action which would involve them in being named publicly, possibly expose them to costs and having to give evidence. Their counsel says they don't want to be joined. The EFC is also gunning for the AFL and "integrity" manager Clothier who looks like he may have some uncomfortable times ahead. I still believe that's all sizzle and that sometime later this year sanctions will be imposed on some players and the Bombers will have some difficult times ahead. The past decade has not been kind to some of the great sporting clubs of our time. Leaving out the cycling outfits which aren't really clubs, I think of Italy's Juventus (match fixing) and the Scottish FA Glasgow Rangers (insolvency) and wonder if Essendon's next on the list.

There's nothing new under the sun (or the nighttime sky or the Etihad roof). Another lucky come from behind win to the Cats (who IMO are on the decline), another narrow loss to the Bombers who will probably keep their finals hopes alive for another week because Hawthorn will be tough for the Suns in Tassie. The fact that Essendon is staying in touch with the eight also means that Essendon will keep pushing its problematic strategy of using the courtroom to battle ASADA and leaving the players in limbo land as far as the outcome of the drugs saga is concerned. The lawyers and the media are loving this. And although it was a close tussle out there, I didn't find it a particularly inspiring spectacle.

I'm going to make a bold prediction here but given the events of recent AFL history, the boy Tester who plays for Vic Metro is a perfect fit for the Bombers!!!

Darcy Moore stars as Vic Metro thumps Western Australia Vic Metro 3.2.20 8.5.53 13.6.84 16.10 (106) Western Australia 2.2.14 3.2.20 6.6.43 7.6 (48) GOALS Vic Metro: Moore 4, Ahern, Payne 3, Brayshaw, Maynard, Petracca, De Goey, Dear, Tester Western Australia: Anderson 3, Keitel, Garlett, Frampton, Bevan BEST Vic Metro: Moore, Ahern, Payne, Brayshaw, Petracca, Cavka Western Australia: Waterman, Walsh, Lim, Winton, Hardisty, Garlett

Daniel's stocks on the rise after dominant performance for SA Vic Country 0.2.2 0.5.5 1.6.12 2.8 (20) South Australia 5.4.34 6.5.41 9.9.63 12.11 (83) GOALS Vic Country: McCartin 2 South Australia: Daniel 3, Rose, Hone 2, Stretch, McLean, Gore, Read, Partington BEST Vic Country: Miles, Mathieson, Marchbank, Drummond, Maishman, Capiron South Australia: Daniel, Stretch, Wigg, Wilkie, Neal-Bullen, Hayes

I haven't watched today's games yet but obviously, we could have access to both players if James Frawley abandons ship and the AFL give us the pick immediately after our first selection. Alternatively, we could do a trade a la the Tyson/Pick 9 trade of last year in true spirit of progress style.