Dr. Gonzo

Just reading about the issues with Carlton's membership department and it got me thinking how good our membership guys have been every single time I've rung them over the years. Never had to hold for more than a few minutes, always able to resolve my issues/queries while I was on the phone or very shortly after, always quick to call me back and importantly always knew what they were talking about etc etc Just wanted to put this here so anyone reading who works or volunteers there can get the feedback and kudos they deserve.

If they insist on having musical acts why not focus on contemporary Aussie bands - I'm not a fan of Jet but I much preferred them a couple of years back than any of these overseas pensioners they drag in.

This is different their club is faced with nuclear obliteration and they are still in the "denial" stage of grief.

It's a good case study in mass psychology - not to dig up old graves but you would have seen a similar thing on here during the tanking fiasco.

That is what seals their fate in my eyes. What's the point of the program if they can't even monitor it to test their results? How were they keeping track of who had been given what? Clubs record every single thing about players these days, skinfolds, diet, time trials, weights etc are we to believe they implemented a "cutting edge" "supplements" program and didn't bother to keep a single record of what they were using and which player had received what, at what dosages and frequencies? It is so implausible that if I were the AFL and particularly ASADA I would be absolutely furious at the temerity of the club and players and wouldn't think it would qualify for a reduction on the basis they "assisted" with the investigation nevermind anything else.

Still running the line "we believe it was an illegal investigation" even though the a Magistrate and the Court of Appeal not only disagreed but smashed him.for a six for wasting the courts time. Take your medicine Hirdy and front up to the disgrace you've helped bring on the club. Can you imagine what the reaction to this whole saga would've been not just from theedia but the EFC supporters of this had not happened under Hird but had happened under his predecessor Matty Knights? I think the reaction from all angles would've been VASTLY different and he would've been sacked if not immediately then at least when the penalties were handed down in August 2013.

With six months already served they'd basically be given a year off and back for 2016 (albeit with no pre-season training under their belt).

Doesn't matter if they accept it or not. If they cop suspensions (let's say for arguments sake it is 2 years) they have the right of appeal however until the matter is heard at the appeals tribunal the suspensions will remain in effect. So they can appeal but they'll be sitting in the stands while they do and they won't be allowed to train or have any contact with the club either as far as I'm aware.

ASADA are only pursuing TB4 which makes me think they think they have a slam dunk case on that and didnt need to pursue the rest. The AFL's charge sheet was only in relation to governance issues and NOT anti-doping violations (explicitly at the request of EFC funnily enough which opens them up for further club sanctions of the players are found guilty). However the charge sheet was informed by the ASADA investigation and the preliminary report they released at the time.

To help Jimmy with his alleged side effects of the Melanotan which allegedly made him look like an Oompa Loompa with three legs. Allegedly.

The Infraction Notices were issued re: TB4 but have a read of the AFL findings released in August 2013. There's a whole cocktail of exotic and perhaps not quite permitted supplements.

That article just goes to show how delusional, or how much in the pockets of the AFL/EFC, most in the media still are. One things for certain, AFL360 is going to be essential viewing this year when reality hits. When are they back on anyway?

To be fair in don't have an issue with recreational drugs, it's the PED's the AFL needs to worry about. What players do in their own time is their and their clubs business. The illicit drugs issue was the reason the AFL didn't want to sign on to the WADA code in 2006 in the first place which is kind of ironic that it's the PED's causing the headaches now. Remember they only signed on to WADA under threat of funding withdrawals from the Federal government.

The fact Essendon cannot produce records of what was administered when is not only fanciful considering the degree to which these players are monitored these days but should result in a guilty outcome regardless of any other factors.

The consent forms will show intent.

Yep and it ain't just TB4 either.

So as long as you destroy all records of what was taken you can escape penalty? I don't think so.

Players can be suspended for even "attempting" to use PED's so whether or not they actually injected them is irrelevant. There was a VFL player who copped a big penalty (2years?) just for trying to import a substance that turned out to be not permitted. As for the second point I can't understand why they wouldn't just sack the scumbag, I've never heard of a professional team in any sport needing a reason to sack a coach, the suggestion he could see for wrongful dismissal is laughable.

Drugs are everywhere I'd be surprised if a majority of players haven't taken an illicit drug at least once.

Exactly right hopefully someone in the media points this out to them (Frawley was an UFA) though I won't hold my breath! Meanwhile what about the fact that Frawley wouldn't have stayed no matter what we offered. If it was only about money why didn't he go to a mid table club who would've offered him more than Hawthorn? It's a joke, the AFL needs to get some balls and tell the AFLPA that to preserve some semblance if equality the FA rules need to be rolled back if anything, not expanded.

I've got that one VHS! Along with a DVD I've also got which is a history of the MFC produced I think for our 150 year anniversary in 2008

I think it remains up to the relevant competitions discretion.

Agreed - Justin Charles wanted to talk 15 years before the EFC story broke and the AFL didn't want to hear it. Dale Lewis made comments (about recreational drug use) and was ostracised by the competition and media.

Never had the queuing problem cos I've always had a 17 game/AFL membership. What does suck is being gouged extra booking fees to sit on level 1 when most of our games the stadiums not even half full. That is an absolute joke but the MCG will be like that soon as well, most of the time you'd struggle to get a walk up seat there on level 1 these days.

Public transport couldn't be easier though, Spencer St just a short walk across the bridge and a couple of pubs within walking distance.