sue

I dimly recall last year someone was upgraded about a day or so before the teams were selected.

Bear in mind that GC will be desperate for a win. They have finals ambitions and losing to us would be a major blow to that, both the 4 points and the shame.

Why does the AFL feel obliged in that article to vaguely imply that the WADA code may need adjustment and thus as it is may not be suitable for AFL. Apparently no other team sport has complained. If by any unlikely chance there is an element that doesn't suit AFL, this is not the time to vaguely imply there is one. Unless of course the AFL feels obliged to kow-tow to the ridiculous EFC/HUN line about this. Running the "doesn't suit AFL" line smacks of desperation. The sort of legal technicality that a guilty party reaches for. But we know EFC and Hird would never resort to legal technicalities in Hird's relentless quest to reveal the truth.

He has a career in politics ahead of him.

agreed. I thought Deanox's post was meant to be ironical.

I'm no judge, but I would have thought that defenders who see the ball coming in every 40 seconds because the team fails to get it into our forward line and still doesn't concede a truck-load of goals, must be doing something right.

We were ahead at 3/4-time 9 times last year. In 2012/13 if someone made a prediction that that would happen in 2014, most posters here would have said 'in your dreams'. We saw in the first half of the Bulldog game that we can spread and hit targets. The skill is there (with enough notable exceptions to ensure we won't be high in the ladder). Confidence is the key. If we start winning games, it will come naturally. But if we don't, Roos needs to find a way to build confidence even if we don't actually win games and so we don't go into our shells when the opponents apply pressure, both scoreboard and otherwise.

Well he's hardly likely to be geting the week off to party is he.

I think this is quite likely (though I don't agree with your list and 'last' may be an exaggeration). As for DD36 comment about Viv Michie, perhaps Roos is happy with him and didn't feel he needed much match practice. Frankly I have no idea, but I'd back Roos' record over everyone here. (That is not to say I don't think posters should express their opinions.)

If he had a shred of conscience he'd resign if the players are found guilty, regardless of the penalty. Oh, wait....

One reason why the AFL should do all it can to make the struggling Melbourne clubs more successful is that that way there will be more games where there is a large crowd of opposing supporters which creates more interest, both at the game and on TV.

Spot on. Sadly.

Not to mention it was a perfectly sensible question for HL to ask. Shows he has more sense than the average EFC player.

These business people who run sport these days do not know how much it hurts supporters when we can no longer feel players are as rusted on as we are. The odd defection of the past hurt, but was bearable because it was rare. But the future looks far worse. Footy will become purely entertainment like going to the movies - you won't care much. While soccer fans in Europe seem to have maintained their passion despite this, I'm not so sure Aussie rules fans will. Soccer is different in many ways from AFL and may attract different responses. It is a risk for our game.

But is your 'feeling' is based on anything coming from ASADA or WADA or only on your (and mine) having had a gutfull of EFC ad Hird etc.

Thanks. Do you know how many are currently being made anonymous by hiding behind how many others?

Not another beat up Saty thread derailment. His tone and obvious pride of his interactions with players etc may grate some, but he provides useful information. If his manner annoys you guys more than you value his information, please just ignore him. If you like the information, then ignore what annoys you. Posters are not going to change him by endlessly beating him up in these threads.

So EFC has named another player in their quest for confidentiality. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/essendon-name-2012-player-mark-baguley-brisbane-lions-to-unveil-allen-christensen/story-fni5f22o-1227267774403 As usual I'm confused. Does that mean they know Baguley will get off, in which case how do they know? Or is he expendable? - a player who is likely to be delisted so they don't care when his penalty starts? And maybe the more nqr players booted out for longer, the more 'compensation' from the AFL they hope to get.

I think it is reasonable for the AFL to try to expand if the rich clubs see the benefit to the code and are prepared to help stump up the money for it. But they have not done a good job in western Sydney. For example, while wheeling in Sheedy might appear to be a 'highlight' to people in somewhere like Melbourne, it isn't clear he was the right person to inspire AFL take-up in a region where he was unknown. Also the AFL should have forced GWS to poach some experienced players rather than rely on youth - we know that doesn't work if you want to win games. Of course knowing the AFL, they would have got them to poach them from our very limited supply.

no - it runs through their AFL Live app.

A good question. Anyone know if the AFL has offered a reason?

Possibly because we are living in the era of mandatory sentencing so beloved of politicians trying to get a few votes.

True, except they could have invented a mysterious injury or whatever for him. I don't think the questioner was questioning Freo's action, but that (or lack of it) of another club.

Sadly it seems to be working with many people wanting it all to end and blaming ASADA/AFL for the delays. But I suspect the real reason is that delays allow enough time for the list to turnover to minimise the damage.

Some idiot presenters on ABC radio basically saying everyone should get off because this has taken so long. No mention of Hird & co's delaying tactics. Doubtless if the players were convicted quickly they'd be complaining that the process must be shonky to have been determined so fast.