Whispering_Jack

Get a life.

The AFL is a voluntary signatory to WADA.and, as such, accepts the WADA code in full including the strict liability imposed on offenders. WADA has appeal rights if its not happy with the way any investigation is carried out and in the way the AFL determines the outcome of such investigations. Our laws won't help parties who might feel aggrieved in such instances and I sense that the argy bargy going on at the moment is partly about ensuring that the negotiated outcome fits in so that WADA won't make waves. The problem will be for the players when ASADA's final report comes out because the standard of proof required under the WADA code that governs these things is somewhat looser than in our criminal system. My own view is that anyone at Essendon who might be popping champagne corks because they think their players are off the hook is delusional. As to the second part of my proposition about the ACC (that's the Australian Crime Commission), I'm sure that's right in the sense that this body is looking for links between organised crime, the illegal importation of these substances and how sporting clubs source them. It seems to me that Dank and Essendon came to the notice of the ACC as part of this investigation. One report in the Age suggested that the facility opposite Windy Hill was under ACC surveillance while the injecting was going on. The ACC does wire taps and has the ways and means to get evidence which I suspect will bury the Bombers when they're done with this. I think therefore that the ACC might have a little bit more power than Demetriou including possibly the power (perhaps through other government agencies) to bring even Vlad down if he's been naughty. POSTSCRIPT: With reference to the post immediately above, I think rjay's right and that the Essendon players will eventually be charged and this will obviously have repercussions with their club for some time toi come. There might be some damage to Melbourne as well depending on whether and what supplements were supplied to or used by our players as mentioned in some SMS's released between Dank and Bate of our club. Hence, my anger at the club some months ago when our involvement came out. Even if Bate was acting on a frolic of his own, he could have hurt the club badly. I hope our boys never received or used medicine prescribed at the recommendation of Dank.

Yes and that's what I get from reading the Statement of Claim in the Supreme Court Writ filed on behalf of Hird last week. It's one of the reasons why I wonder about Vlad being involved in the current set of negotiations and why I'm comforted by the fact that WADA and the ACC have the capacity to override anything that happens in the long run.

Did anyone notice the size of Zaharakis' body when he kicked the winning goal on Saturday night? To think that he was recruited in the same draft as Sam Blease and both of them were skinny winger/flank types with lots of pace back in those days. Of course, Sammy was held back by the fact that he was still at school in his first year at the club and then he broke his leg but Zaharakis looks like he's now had about five pre seasons more than him. I've heard it said that Essendon players were able to train harder and recover better than other teams not receiving the help they were getting through their supplements regime. In this way, their kids could have gained the benefit of many pre seasons in quick time. Now if they embarked on the programme in order to get a competitive edge and they used substances and methods that are not approved under the world code to which the AFL subscribes, then the words "drug cheats" fit properly and they should be punished appropriately.

Also relevant in our case was the fact that whatever we were doing in 2009 had not only been described by the AFL CEO as not tanking but he also gave it his imprimatur and endorsement in a Caroline Wilson article. To have found the club guilty of tanking would have been an embarrassment to Demetriou personally so they came up with something that was an embarrassment to the AFL. I have no love for Essendon or Hird over this scandal but I do love the way they're fighting tooth and nail to get the best deal even though ultimately they will succumb to Vlad.

Look at it this way. If they accept my solution, it gives us a one in ten chance of making the finals. Now, if someone told you before the start of the season that we would have a mathematical possibility of making the top eight after round 22, you would have grabbed it.

On the subject of the Bombers' penalty I think that if they lose their points it would be inappropriate for the ninth team to be the automatic replacement (especially if that happens to be Carlton). I mean how does everybody think Richmond would feel if, after finishing 9th so many times? You have to feel for them having to play a final against the team that finished 9th and possibly losing! In the interests of fairness. I propose the vacant place in the final 8 should be decided in the Australian way - by a lottery or some sort of coin toss allowing any of the teams from the bottom ten teams to get in.

I believe the AFL is set to announce the 2014 fixture at a press conference today with Essendon drawn to play a mid afternoon game on a Wednesday at Port Moresby. We're the likely opponent.Would that do?

I agree that the more senior members of the group are "shot" and feel they need to switch off and recharge the bodies and their minds for the club's next phase but the idea doesn't entirely sit well with me. I would be staggered if the younger members eligible for the VFL finals weren't keen on taking their places in a final for Casey or that the senior members of the team would begrudge them the experience of playing on in a finals team. . In fact, I think the attitude that the team should withdraw from further participation in the VFL because they've had it tough is emblematic of the poor culture developed over the years and the way our players are pampered like princesses. Jim Stynes wrote in his book about a training session under Dean Bailey that was cancelled at the behest of the players. That's weak as is the thought of players not taking part in VFL finals because they've had a tough season. Hard, tough work never hurt anyone with the determination to succeed in the future.

The players in question have all been through interviews with ASADA and may yet have to go through further interviews including possibly with the ACC. After almost 7 months I suggest they are very much informed of the processes and what to expect. I'm not sure what you mean about being "up for natural justice" but Hird and the other Aminos are entitled to natural justice from the AFL but I don't think those rules apply if the ACC or WADA get involved. They certainly deserve to be justly and fairly dealt with but that's always the case and I think our legal system is, on balance, fairly good. Irrespective, as I've said earlier, tomorrow's announcement of a deal won't be the end of the matter.

If they've been properly informed then it's likely they would be aware that they can be found to have breached the AFL drug code without having taken the supplements knowingly and deliberately.We need to wait until the final ASADA report is issued or possibly the ACC investigation is concluded to find out how it all works and who gets served with infraction notices and who gets charged with what.

Dominic Sheed who is a favourite among some has dropped our of Plough's top 10:- 1. GWS TOM BOYD (Eastern Ranges) 2. Melbourne JAMES AISH (South Australia) 3. St. Kilda JOSH KELLY (Sandringham Dragons) 4. W Bulldogs MATT SCHARENBERG (South Australia) 5. Gold Coast JACK BILLINGS (Oakleigh Chargers) 6. Brisbane BEN LENNON (Northern Knights) 7. West Coast LEWIS TAYLOR (Geelong Falcons) 8. North Melbourne LUKE MCDONALD (Oakleigh Chargers F/S) 9. Carlton MATT CROUCH (North Ballarat) 10. GWS DARCY GARDNER (Geelong Falcons)

Hirdipus Rex?

I appreciate our deficiencies in the midfield and that we need to focus on that area in the coming trade/free agency and draft period (as well as at least one dangerous crumbing forward) but to me the crux of the matter will be our new head coach and our new midfield coach. The organisation and structure of our midfield is appalling at the moment and new personnel and a fresh approach to the way our midfield functions will make an enormous difference not only to this vital area, but to the performance of the entire team. I know its obvious but that view has been reinforced in my mind by watching most of the other teams in the competition. I think we can make up a fair bit of ground in this area with the right coaching and direction.

Oh yes ... and did I mention an investigation by Workcover?

Bullying Great and I can't wait for ASADA to knock on his door and ask to who at Essendon he was injecting and giving tablets, what they were and to produce his records.

Extraordinary result. I didn't think Essendon could do it but a Carlton loss and an Essendon exit from the finals on Monday is about as good as it gets. Now for a Port Adelaide (and Melbourne) win next week.

Excerpts from an earlier interview with Danks The science of Stephen Dank Over at the HUN, Gerard Whateley is desperately trying to cling onto a life raft as his ASADA story becomes more ludicrous by the day. It beggars belief that he continues to ignore ASADA CEO Aurora Andruska's statement on AOD-9604 released earlier this week.The Titanic is getting closer to the sea bed.

The world doesn't begin or end with the AFL, Redleg. The settlement that's being worked out at the moment can only cover the existing set of charges laid out by the AFL against Essendon and some or all of the Four Aminos. These are the tip of an iceberg bigger than the one that hit the Titanic. Still to come is the final ASADA Report (including evidence to be eventually gleaned from Dr. Dank) which will then most likely result in the issue of infraction notices. If notices are issued, these need to be dealt with by the AFL and then, if the world governing anti doping body (WADA) isn't happy with the outcome, it can appeal. Then there's the ACC Report and possible criminal action and some other side matters such as Doc Reid's situation in the medical profession. And while this drags on, every player on Essendon's 2012 list becomes an untouchable. As the lady sang in the film, this will "go on and on".

Is that the lie or is the rest of his statement a lie?

I posted that earlier and have checked the VFL sporting pulse details which reveal that, in addition to the 5 games Rohan played for Casey Seniors, he also played for the Casey Development League (seconds) team on 4 August. I presume that qualifies him for the finals.

And his grandparents as well. In one of his early games at Casey I sat in the stand next to his grandparents. They were so proud that he'd made it that far. He's done it all under great adversity with health issues. He should be congratulated for what he's achieved this year and for his loyalty in signing on again with the club. After his second concussion injury for the season, he deserves the rest this week and probably next.

Tonight's Carlton v Essendon game could be significant in determining how long Hird has left as coach of the club (assuming a deal isn't finalised during the day). For the greater part of the season, the Essendon players and their fans backed Hird in the face of the adversity of the claims made against the club and him personally. The cracks started to appear slowly at first with some less than impressive wins against the Bulldogs and GWS. Then they ran headlong into Hawthorn and Collingwood and the pressure mounted. Exposed badly by West Coast and trounced by North, they face fierce rivals in Carlton tonight in a game that is rapidly becoming meaningless in terms of their ladder position this year but is nevertheless important in terms of the perception of Hird within his own club. The players have now seen the charges and have read the Doc Reid letter. The trust and faith in Hird must have been drastically eroded this week. The natives are becoming exceedingly restless. If the AFL/ASADA/the courts don't get Hird, he might get eaten up by his own. They need to get the deal done today.

I agree with you that it's about "run" but the team this year (and last) hasn't been organised to run properly, efficiently or with a purpose. There doesn't seem to be a plan in place to exploit that run and this is what makes us look so bad in the middle. Hence, the need for an altogether different coaching strategy next year which IMO should rule out both Neil Craig and Choco Royal from positions as coaches at the club next year.Given that, I don't see that it would have made much of a difference to the way our midfield performs tomorrow had we brought Magner into the midfield for the penultimate game. Although team selection criteria should always be in the interests of the senior team, I don't see why James Sellar wasn't given a run instead of Pedersen who could have added to Casey's finals campaign. Our coaching and our selection policy hasn't made much sense to me lately and I'm looking forward to change.

Meanwhile, in a Friday night game to kick off the final round, Geelong VFL 35.17 227 defeated Bendigo 3.8 26. The Gold kept goalless in the second half two weeks in a row.