monoccular

Does anyone really doubt that Ben Cousins running all day like a maniac in that GF years ago (did he win the NS Medal?) was not 'enhanced' by speed or a similar substance? IF the AFL had taken and kept specimens from all players in that GF, and subjected them to testing, I wonder what the result would be and how they would have handled it? Personal opinion is that it would be swept under a pile of rugs. Too hard to rescind a Premiership. So, yes it is the AFL's business, and it should be taken seriously.

I also liked some of what I have seen of ANB, but I don't think he is locked in. His debut was fantastic, but then of course Gysberts' at the same ground was too :-( But I also doubt that they would announce any delistings whilst Casey is still playing - only Norf would consider anything as stupid as that.

OMG the AFL are so corrupt. Make IOC and FIFA look squeaky clean. And as for Gil........? Only interested in the TV rights bottom line.

Playing all season in the VFL Premiership team? ?

He'll those jumpers look better than our horrible white ones.

They could try Dawes for the same rôle - though to give him credit, Dawes does chase and run.

Why in the world would a club be nervous about the AFL and their so called drugs policy? What may be missing here is that avoiding a drug test may be a test for (so called) harmless recreational drugs, or for PEDs, which is why avoiding a WADA drug test (is supposed to) carry heavy penalties ie 2-4Y. If the AFL are serious about "clean sport", which they have given little indication that they are, then they need to follow WADA's strict code re testing and missing tests. The players sign on for this, the clubs and the AFL too, yet they all whinge and run for cover when push comes to shove.

Yes and no. Great skills, but to me Salem seems to have a harder edge and probably more 'footy smarts'. I believe that with careful and regular monitoring and medical fine tuning with (perfectly legal) drugs he should be free of further problems. Any endocrinologists on this forum?

You are missing absolutely nothing at all. This is yet another AFL whitewash, an abdication of it (so called) drug free policy. Could you imagine their embarrassment if one of the stars of one of their franchise clubs were banned, especially on the eve of their first ever finals appearance? OMG I hope the Swans crush them into oblivion this weekend, never to be seen again (and I am not a great fan of the Swans' promotion by the AFL either) On the contrary. AFL have learned to bury skeletons even deeper than usual.

They have none to show. This will be "investigated by the integrity commissioners (LOL?) and there will be absolutely no case to answer - I guess the only circumstance something could turn up would be were he somehow be traded to a "less relevant club."

He has all the hallmarks of becoming a very good player for us - regardless of a nomination for a pretty meaningless award in the scheme of things. I would far prefer he carries on next year and builds on 2016 without an award, than stagnate the year following winning the award as the 2015 winner did.

? Thompson had recurring soft tissue injuries that seemed to miraculously disappear when he moved home. Maybe some of the soft tissue was cerebrum? Just a question as I do not and have not watched Essendon games for several years. Would Melksham, and or Hibberd were he to come across, be reliable kick ins from full back? I would like to see Salem on a wing or HFF with runs through the middle. He is a smart footballer with good disposal and a calm demeanor - one would seriously hope that his thyroid is now under expert specialist care and should be controllable.

Nice to see that the VFL hasn't fallen for Gill's AFL knee jerk reaction to a non problem by introducing the bye which IMO kills momentum for clubs, players and the interest of the general public. A ludicrous move in my view.

You heretic! Burn him at the stake! Of course EssUndone definitely needed a pharmacist with a track record after what they had so unfairly been put through. Maybe he dispensed some antidepressants?

The AFL will approach this in their usual impartial integrity filled manner ... commitment to the integrity of a clean sport BS ... do nothing, delay a decision and allow him to play finals for their pet club.

The one time I have barracked for Collingwood and they let me down at the post. Bloody annoying.

No "home" games at Doglands, and particularly no home games there vs clubs whose home is at that soulless hole A bye after Darwin - fair for both teams involved. Home game v drug cheats but not round 1 when they will be "buoyed by the return of the victims of injustice". More Friday night G games than those who finished below us in 2016 NB Collingwood, Richmond, Carltank and EssUndone

Didn't see the game but it is great that Christian Salem seems to have been our best in his first game back after such a long layoff

My pedantic semantic self cannot let this through to the keeper. He may well look uninterested. Certainly wouldn't be disinterested. But without any shadow of doubt someone needs to take him aside over the offseason and work on his set shot routine. And also his leading patterns. He may have to swallow his pride and just get on and do it. Maybe tell him it would add to his resale value if he improves on these facets.

Getting rid of those all too frequent byes, by whatever means, would be a serious contribution to both the VFL and the AFL. They are a blight on the alignment.

FCS he doesn't need to "replace" anyone. He may, hopefully, or may not earn a position in the team as others form may slump or, God forbid, we get our usual spate of injury. Part of the list from which to chose.

Good point about the negatives that followed Junior's poorly handled "retirement". Certain contributed to the poisoning of an already struggling club and we are just getting over it now. I wonder if the goings on at Norf will have a similar poisoning effect - one can but hope.

What extraordinary timing. I bet had we not stuffed up last week and we're still a potential threat they would have held off. But anyway, struggling big time with form and a ko final looming....... weird stuff. Do they think it will spur them on? Could as easily pi55 them off.

If he was prepared to stay on the expectation that he may get very few AFL games on a limited contract then sure.......but the fact is the his body has continued to fail him and he can't be part of MFC AFL forward planning Petrie - an interesting short term thought. Does know how to play Etihad.

Our inability to beat EssUndone, Carlton and StKilda (and Norf) has and will impede our progress to becoming a top team. Actually extremely embarrassing. Those, and our inability to beat ordinary sides consistently at Doglands just sap supporters' emotions and hopes.