Outside fifty

Really enjoyed listening to this. Well done to those involved. Demonland obviously left a scar on Daniel Ward and whilst i must admit I never frequented Demonland in those days it is good to know that not much has changed.

The thing that really impressed me today was noticeable drop in momentum killing kicks and clankers.

27'500, and thats not counting the 14 who barracked for the suns.

Given the nature of corporate culture these days this finding does not surprise me in the least. The AFL is and has been for some years a conflicted and consequently corrupt organisation.The bottom lines versus an equitable competition, sadly the bottom line won. They stuck their heads in a bucket of sand when Westcoast went off the rails and consequently they are reaping that harvest as we speak. They established the ridiculous three strikes policy and were stupid enough to boast about it. They were stupid enough and greedy enough to throw millions at the folly that is GWS. IF ever an organisation needed to embrace good governance over short term expedience then the time was now. Sadly I feel that we may now be witnessing it's crowning glory of it's capitulation to corruption and the bottom line. I know I shouldn't be surprised, with a straw man in charge could we have ever expected anything less

Outstanding post ProDee.

Gil I'm sad to say comes from the same management school as our very own Cam Schwab. All style and absolutely no substance.

Nathan Lovett Murray

Thanks OD. I think you're right. Still the question stands. Will any media organisation apply to have suppression order not granted, and if so under what premise.

OD if the suppression order is granted it will be interesting to see if any media organisation appeals the decision.

Time to harden up demonland. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/melbourne-ceo-peter-jackson-urges-demons-to-shed-pessimistic-streak-20150323-1m63wo.html

One has to wonder why the player in question felt the need to seek a suppression order. It may of course be a perfectly reasonable request, but it will interesting to see if the media is respectful of the players right to privacy and anominity. I suspect not.

In recent weeks we have seen the attack dogs of the EFC barking loudly and often, and by attack dogs I mean News LTD. I think that WADA may just have had enough and decided to put these dogs in their place. WADA is running this show, not Essendon, not the AFL and certainly not that pathetic excuse for a news organisation News LTD.

The suggestion that the player allegedly does not have an infraction notice indicates that there was more going on than previously known. This could be pandora's box.

Don't let the facts get in the way, it only confuses people.

The fact is that we have had very few successful forwards, full stop.Why would Fitzy be any different? The glacial way we move the ball forward would test anybody.

Dr Ried is doing what most guilty persons do. Trying to mitigate the blame. Everybody else was doing it etc.The fact is ASADA investigated the MFC not the AFL ,and found nothing of interest. This has been an on going strategy of the EFC from the start. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard Bombers supporters bleating about how Hawthorn, Geelong and Collingwood were all doing the same thing. It has also been inferred that the Workcover investigations into various clubs was instigated by people close to Essendon. Again nothing of interest was discovered. I am quite confident that both Workcover and ASADA are quite independent of the AFL.

What really worries me in this whole saga is EFC's manipulation and control of the press. Whilst ASADA may be immune to such pressures unfortunately their political masters are not. I know that WADA will appeal any decision to CAS but it has not been made clear as to their jurisdiction, can for instance their decision be challenged in an Australian court ? Can the AFL refuse to comply with their order. We know they risk losing federal funding if they fail to comply but they may consider this to be a cheaper or pragmatic option than adhering to any directive from CAS. A press campaign with the help of the Murdoch press has already begun to this effect and over the next two weeks will be amped up considerably.

Don't get me wrong, I hope to hell your right. Unfortunately In the race between self interest and righteousness I have learn't to back self interest every time. Like you I'm hoping that ASADA / WADA will prevail and that justice is served for the greater good of the game.

I have been reading this thread for a long time now and have come to a similar conclusion as you UB.For the most part I suspect that you're right. It is inconceivable that the two parties have not sat down an drawn out a contingency plan and strategy that suited both parties,(AFL and EFC ). The only variable in this whole scenario is of course WADA/ASADA/CAS. Independently of WADA/ASADA/CAS reaction the above strategy goes some way to minimising the impact on the EFC and AFL. This entire saga has a very duplicitous air about it.

Watts came on in the second half, and immediately had an impact. Two set shots for goal against a howling wind from 45 m out, nobody was kicking from there. In the last quarter he kicked one goal from one of the very few forward entries, I'm not sure there is more he could've done given the opportunities he had.

Toumpas was pretty good in the first half,and was by no means the worst in the second half.Watching you could clearly see the team mentally switch off after half time. Roos was also clearly experimenting with the centre clearance lineup in the last quarter. This happened to coincide with the bullies putting their best in the centre, the outcome we hardly got a clearance. I also thought Grimes was reasonable today.

Call me crazy but I want and expect both. The two aren't mutually exclusive.

Thanks for the Pics, great work OD.

Imagine Viney's and Jones delight with a much larger crowd too train in front of, pity a sizeable number of people had already left by the time those two players came out. Obviously you weren't there. This isn't about hardening up,or getting a grip. It is about expecting professional behaviour from a sporting organisation that seeks our financially support. To me it sounds like that you have become conditioned to accepting the mediocre standards of professional behaviour that this club has become renowned for over the last decade.

I take it you were there?