Slartibartfast

5 final series out of the previous 7 years or 3 out of 3 before the 7 years in the wilderness a roller coaster? Time to live a bit Jack, that's not even a bumpy road.

I've seen this sort of thing before.

No, so?

No, but I know of three opposition club FD that I spoke to that did. Clearly I won't name them.

Who do you reckon ticked off on the training program and if Neeld had no influence why did it differ so much to this year and Misson's previous times at both Swans and Saints. The whole industry was laughing at our preseasons under Neeld. [censored] the players before putting a ball in their hand and then berating them for skill errors. The players were mentally spent before the season opener. Talk to them now and it's a completely different environment. It's supportive and positive with high intensity work mixed with more down time. Rather than dreading training they are loving it. Rather than hoping the ball doesn't come to them they want it. I know Neeld still has his supporters but it's no surprise he's no longer working in footy although I think it's a bit sad. In retrospect those that made he decision to make him coach probably ended his football coaching career at the highest level. Edit: It's hard to believe "fflloogg" is censored!

I'd delete this comment Jack. Whilst you have your own view of things this is just tasteless and purile.

So? I'm not worried by what others think, I'm worried about what we get. The AFL have made it abundantly clear they want us around and we've been saved on a number of occasions. We now have a fish where the head is in first class condition so we could actually do ok. Anyway thanks for providing the info.

Thanks. Hard to understand why clubs like Geelong and Collingwood, who make millions from attendances would get more than some "poorer" clubs.

Couldn't agree more. McLardy, Jalland and who ever else was dealing with our issue did a fantastic job. It's just a shame the issue ever existed.

Some believe we did (tank), others believe we didn't. I'm in the former category, you may not be.

It would be more interesting to know how the amount is calculated and what it includes and what it doesn't. Is this the only funding clubs get? I don't know. I don't really care but if the figures are there they mean little without knowing what they represent.

Jack Trengove seems to be getting a lot of media at the moment. I would have thought this was counter productive. He's had a horrible two years, been promoted to captain only to relinquish it, played ordinary footy that would have seen him struggle for a spot in most teams and yet we seem to be promoting him. I would have thought it would have been best to say nothing and just let him progress without expectation. Before anyone jumps, I love the guy and really want the best for him, I'm just not sure this is the best course.

Kent has knee problems and hasn't trained much to this stage. Not sure when he's due back. McKenzie has been in rehab but due to join training this week.

Doubt that will change Don's quality of life.

You seem to be confusing the role of the AFL and the role of the clubs. It wasn't the AFL's job to be hands on stopping Essendon. It was there job to deal with the mess Essendon caused. It's the same as it wasn't the AFL's job to be in the Board Room when we decided to tank, just to deal with the fact we did.

I can't remember an AFL CEO who the fans liked. It seems every club has a gripe and they direct their anger at the AFL CEO. Oakley, Jackson, Hamilton and on it goes. I reckon in the corporate world AD would be seen in a completely different light. He's overseen 10+ years of growth, record memberships, record attendances, record TV rights, club expansion, seen off soccer, basketball and rugby as challengers and been in charge whilst club facilities have been brought up to world class standard. He's been a positive decision maker whether you've liked his decisions or not (and I'm not talking petty little issues like rule changes). He won't have any trouble getting another position and he'll do a good job because whether people like it or not, he's smart.

I wonder what the relationship between Essendon and Hird is at the moment. Are they acting together because if they are not Essendon's response will be quite interesting.

As you once said "with free speech comes responsibility". I resigned as a mod because my standards were too strict and out of step with Whispering Jack's liberal views on what could be said. I didn't want to be part of it and if still a mod I would have deleted your post. It was just unnecessary and bad taste. I told you ages ago I didn't expect to see the prize in my lifetime. That's a secondary consideration for me although I know it isn't for most. But where there is life there is hope and the head of the fish is now in first class condition. It will be good when it's fun again.

The sad part is that Hird was a sensational player able to stand comfortably on the stage with names such as Ablett, Carey, Matthews, Barassi and Whitten. He's just seen as a jerk now.

You take a third hand quote from someone said in private questioning a players courage and choose to insult that player in a public forum where there is a good chance his parents and friends will see it while all the time hiding behind an internet name. The hypocrisy is astounding particularly from someone calling themselves "Ben-Hur" and having as little sex kitten as his avatar! I think I know who is the girl is in this affair.

I don't get this salary thing. If Hird is contracted for 2015/16 then why not just add the 2014 amount to that contract? Essendon are playing a very dangerous game with the AFL and will have no support from the other clubs because this is about player welfare and drugs. Essendon don't seem to understand that.

Like.

Taking on City Hall is dangerous. I thing the AFL has just hit the "fed up" button. Isn't it nice to be out of this sort of limelight!

Thanks for the clarification Jack, I was distracted for a moment!

Yes, it's a valid position. I think there is a great deal of difference between a player taking a supplement provided by a friend and a player taking a supplement provided by their employers and being told it's legal. That's why I believe the players should not be punished. I can't believe that a group of professional sportsmen would put their futures at risk in the situation that existed at Essendon. What is even more astounding is that the player managers and parents didn't raise this issue well before it became public. Really astounding.