John Crow Batty

It is plausible that the players were gullible and duped 100%. After all the selling was done by Golden Boy Hird who had an unimpeachable reputation and Mr Snake Oil Dank. Signing waivers and such also gave some facade of authenticity and legitimacy to the whole scheme.

The surprise anouncement if true that Hird has suddenly left overseas for yet another study trip does not bode well for his coaching future. He should be at the coal face planning next years campaign. These study trips have been effective in keeping him out of direct in your face scrutiny and IMO is the main reason why he has undertaken them. He only returned for the duration of the court case where he could keep difficult questions at arms length. Now he is gone again. His coaching return chances are Buckley's IMO

Why should a finals season be based on equality of chances? That make the home and away season irrelevant. The best teams should always be on the front row of the grid.

Most of Little's worth is just on paper. What is important is his liquid assets like cash. Most of his wealth is tied up in his company's value and not easy or practical to convert to liquid assets. And he and his company could also be carrying substantial debts. Alan Bond says hello. No doubt he has a few quid lying around but I'll bet he may have to forgo a hypothetical 50 metre yacht purchase to finance his current hobby. As the saying goes, a yacht is a hole in the water one pours money into and not much different to what he is doing now.

I believe this will be a primary concern for the players. There may be the possibility that they will have to serve full 2 year suspensions if this fuss is drawn out. Many may be retired from AFL then but it will be difficult for them to remain in the game in other capacities such as playing in minor competitions or coaching careers.

John Fahey thinks Essendon player bans should be longer than the NRL bans. Former WADA boss John Fahey believes Essendon players may serve longer bans

To be fair, they need time for creative spin doctoring to present this as another win for Essendon.

The AFL assisted Essondon for a soft landing when it all first started. Just about everyone in resposibilty positions left the club but the chief culprit would not play the game. Eventually the issue became all about him. If Essendon played the game as intended when they self reported we may have seen some relief for the players who no doubt have been duped. Jacques has created one big mess here because his ego would not let him to been seen as a failure. Now he has made it worse for all.

Only played well for one or two games before he signed his current contract. Time waster.

He was a 100 game AFL footballer for MFC. Better than all the never were's and wannabee's that pass judgement here. Show some respect Diqueheads.

I am currently in Shantou, China. The old town here looks like an apoclyptic disaster. Patronising our sponsor, smoking two packs of Chinese cigarettes a day and feel great. Only 12 dollars a carton. I wish I did not have my Ipad and internet. Technology sucks and ignorance is bliss.

HL - Mazda 323 with 100,000 km the clock and good for another 50,000 km. MC- Porsche Carrera with 10,000 km only but with major crash repairs and thrashed engine and gearbox. Good trade. We dont want to live beyond our means.

I would take Lamumba doing the Lambada over Grimes doing Gangman Style coming out of half back every day.

Clark for Lamumba will be a good deal for us. I think HL will do well playing under Roos. And his wackiness does not seem to affect his football.

Why the hell did he retain his manager anyway if he retired? Certainly not for flogging off his photographs.

I always thought this was a scenario that will play out like this from the begining but better not discussed throughout the season. IMO opinion the depression stuff was all bull and calculated. If he does not want to play for us then better he goes for good. Any player that is not happy to play for us is a tumour that must be excised before it spreads. The best thing for the club is to play hard ball and get maximum compensation if possible.

They may offer us an empty tin to rattle.

I don't boo during games. I don't even boo the opposition. Cursing the umpires is about as far as I go when they commit an outrage. But at the last game it just sounded so appropriate and well deserved. The team thoroughly deserved the baking.

Watched the replay of the Brisbane Collingwood game. Martin was running everywhere. Getting into space back and forward and a constant presence around the action. No opponent could keep up with him. If his teamates looked for him more he may have ended up with well over 40 possessions aside from the numerous hit outs and spoils. Looked like superman.

They still have to work within rules and the watchful eye of the players association. And can be hamstrung by team dynamics like having buggerall in the stable.

I think every club are in the same position. I am sure Hawthorn were not pleased in losing Buddy or Collingwood losing Thomas. Every club is vulnerable. The old rules still apply. Win games and be smart and ruthless in your management will ensure success.

You can't sack or discriminate against an employee because you suspect him/her of thieving but have no hard evidence.

What do you expect the club to do if he hasn't made his intentions clear? All the aces are in his hand. Any compensation should reflect the deal he gets rather than on current form and value. On current form at best he is worth under 500000 for 3 years max. I suspect he will be getting over 700000 for 5 years minimum.

He may have some altruistic reasons for leaving but the facts will turn to be that he has been an impediment in our rebirth year. Played sup par because he know he was leaving. Wasted many years of development put in by the club and been a destabilising influence. So while we cannot really blame him personally, his decision to leave us has made us worse on paper and on the field. For that we do need more than adequate compensation to square the ledger.

Once the season is over the truth will be hard to hide for what really has been happening with Frawley. If he ends up with a deal worth something in the $ range that was touted earlier in the year then that will speak for itself. Somehow I don't think we will see a meagre deal more in keeping to what he has been actually worth as our player this season.