sue

WJ - I'm joining the ranks of the Demonland pedants. Enervated doesn't mean what you meant re Jetta - quite the opposite.

I did suspect he might be spinning a line about not knowing it was going to rain, but then I thought, why would he bother? Just so he could praise the players by saying they thought of changing the way they played all by themselves? But the players would know that was not true. And I doubt if he'd deliberately lie just so future oppo coaches would assume he never got that sort of info. For a start they'd assume that he wouldn't let that happen again. I suspect his ignorance was genuine rather than a cunning ploy.

Sorry to bring up a tiny negative, but was anyone else surprised that Ross said in his press conference that he hadn't discussed moving to wet weather tactics at half time with the players because he didn't know it was about to rain. Surely someone at the cub must know how to look at the BoM radar and advise the coach on what's coming. Probably could have predicted the arrival of the rain to within 5 to 10 minutes.

Great win, But what is it with the umps? Was there that many more Richmond supporters there than Demons?

you;re getting a bit touchy Redleg. All barristers are for hire on the cab principle. And 'everyone' not 'every barrister' has their price is hardly an attack on your noble profession alone. However in Burnside's case, perhaps he is merely an EFC supporter?

Essendon fans would gloat, but in their heart of hearts, they'd know.

The bit he bolded.

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/contact-us

Glad you are not devastated. Sure the OP focussed on his technique, but his choice of subject title was open to wider interpretation and some posters did do so. Regardless, the question I raised does address the technique issue. I was asking if his technique (or whatever) was good enough to kick well in the VFL as some posters claimed, then why not in the AFL. You really don't read what I wrote - look at the sentence in bold and compare it to what I've actually written. I have repeatedly said my premise relied on the opinion of those posters who had commented positively on his VFL performance. That should have indicated to you that I wasn't relying on my personal observations at VFL matches. Glad to read that you finally saw that the question I posed could logically be answered by you stating you disagreed with those who thought it was good in the VFL. Fair enough. Likewise if his kicking wasn't good in the VFL, it is clear that I don't have to invoke nerves to explain why it is also bad in the AFL. I will join you in not posting more and wasting others reader's time over this.

I am very much for real and have no desire to FYD at all. First the thread is about why he misses goals. It is not confined to his kicking action as you state. It may well be that is a problem, I don't know. I just raise the simple logical question: IF what he does works OK in the VFL, what is different in the AFL? As far as I recall the goals are the same width in both leagues. But given you replies to date, I can see you will never answer that question. A coach might ponder it however. I'd respect your position more if you simply said the posters saying he kicked OK in the VFL were wrong.

Personally I have no idea if his technique is or will be a problem. But forget the opinions you ascribe to me, and instead point out what is wrong with the logic of what I wrote, viz: If he kicked straight in the VFL and doesn't in the AFL (noting only 3 games so far), then the issue is clearly nerves, not technique. I am assuming from other posters that he did kick well in the VFL, so either say that is wrong, or show me where's the logical fault above (or to cover all logical possibilities, suggest another cause). And one game by Kennedy is hardly good stats to base much on. Need his accuracy over more than a handful of non-stutter games to compare with his old accuracy.

Or even worse, reminiscing about their own past glories and connections.

And has Kennedy's accuracy improved? Seems to me he used to kick a lot of goals with the stutter. If he kicked straight in the VFL and doesn't in the AFL (noting only 3 games so far), then the issue is clearly nerves, not technique.

True. Whatever your view of the probabilities of WADA acting and succeeding, do any of us not believe that the AFL won't act tough on some poor sod just to show that they aren't a bunch of commercially driven cover-up merchants? Some double negatives there for you....

Even if it's true that WADA has a small budget, ASADA and its staff has a lot at stake here, so it is likely that ASADA will be keen to do some of the work in the case to CAS as well as handing over all that they have. Can ASADA appear in the appeal? Anyone know what CAS actually does in such a case? Take evidence or just review the ASADA and 'defence' cases and the Tribunal decision?

I thought he'd only give evidence to a proper court. So perhaps he will just get lawyers to argue some obscure technical point. Will be interesting either way.

Frustrating, but probably true given the media campaign and it being 'our young boys'. If the same level of evidence was public about the Chinese swimming team I'm sure the amount of compassion your mate speaks of would evaporate in a flash.

If you want evidence of what ASADA thinks of any AFL Tribunal process, look no further than McDevitt's statement today: "I am also aware that appealing any of these decisions within the AFL framework would ultimately serve only to delay consideration of these matters by the World Anti-Doping Agency." Ed to add: Though in contrast to my gloomy earlier post, maybe that means he is confident WADA will appeal.

If WADA's budget is indeed that low, I fear they won't expend limited resources on such a low profile parochial sport as ours. Internationally, croquet ranks higher. While WADA may agree with the concern that EFC's conduct is a DIY guide to cheating, they may decide there is not much benefit to them to appeal in the AFL case and that they can jump on it when a high profile international sport tries and maybe tighten their rules in the meantime. Bummer if correct sadly.

A good point. And again demonstrates why there should be an independent tribunal above all sports. Perhaps bodies like the AFL should have the right to make a presentation to it when it is considering a case involving one of their players, but that is it .

Yeah, but in R1 he was one of the first to come in when Kent got cleaned up. How about applying the microscope elsewhere. Like on the other MFC players handing around the edge as well. We can see his deficiencies without highlighting everything he does.

once they are on the field it doesn't matter what they are paid. If he is 'not our worst' and plays his role, then that is all that matters. Obviously wasn't wonderful today, but to go on about his salary is irrelevant.

Trouble is, if nothing is done about drug cheating, the comp is screwed anyway. While Essendon fans and their cheer squad in the media, plus those who take their cue from them, may be happy, the effect on potential AFL fans must be bad.

Your judgement is fine.

Yes, the quacking is deafening and when combined with the waddling we all would put money on dastardly deeds being done and the AFL being part of the flock. One thing I am 100% sure of is that if the players get off on the grounds that we can't be sure what they were injected with, then someone must end up in very deep duck poo or there is no justice and a bad precedent will have been set.