rjay

No not facts, Jimmy had an ok GF and probably kicked the goal of the day but was not BOG. The only fact is that this stuff is all in the past and it's what happens from now on that will matter. I was wrapped that we picked him up and I think he will be a very good footballer as a minimum.

He's not a spec pick and can play; but will he, that's the question.

They're playing him out of position for one and he had some wisdom teeth removed recently that held him back a little.

Another good game on the weekend and he will be up and about. Would really like to see him up at senior level as he is one of the better kicks at the club and he has a good size about him.

Not watching to closely I would have thought.

...plus our record at docklands doesn't inspire any confidence.

Thanks 'old dee', that is good news. He should have all the pieces in place before he leaves, well done PJ.

There's nothing particularly new in the papers for me, my opinion all along has been that Essendon had information that led to them predating the ACC press conference. Whether it came from AD or not it's a fair chance he gave enough information for them to draw their own conclusion. Funnily enough I was telling a couple of mates this in separate conversations the day before it blew up in the media so my view is not coloured by the reporting but it may be by my preconceptions that I don't trust Hird, Evans or the Essendon FC. Their press conference always looked a bit suspect to me. I have also believed there were no rogue elements involved at the club and the responsible people knew what was happening and endorsed it but lets wait and see what comes of the ASADA investigation. Personally I think the club and players are in trouble.

Tall midfield option???

It could also be due to advantages gained from alleged substances taken???

Personally think Eade is a better choice, still not sure about Williams but I concede others see it the other way around. Williams has had 2 pretty messy departures from clubs not leaving on good terms, it might be a little bit of all about Mark.

The only thing it paints in my mind is that as 'BB' said above they are all lying. The funny thing is a lot of Essendon supporters think it would be good to lose the points this year, leave the players alone and clear the deck for a run at a flag next year. Not much chance I would think, if they lose points then they have been found guilty and if that's right then the players will get whacked. They better get Del because him and BJ may be the only senior level players running around next year. I felt a bit sorry for the players and I still do for the young ones but the leaders at the club should never have let this happen, they have been around long enough to know better. I also find it impossible to believe the player managers and players association didn't know what was going on, it beggars belief that with 40 plus players nothing was said. These guys, managers and the association are being very slippery at the moment. I said in a post a month or so back that the sad thing is a lot of long term and in some cases lifelong friendships will suffer because of this mess and I think we are starting to see that now. It's sad that some egos in their rush for success have caused so much damage, if not handled well it could damage the long term fabric of the game.

You won't get an argument from me on painkillers, and I also think if the players association was concerned for player welfare they would want them out of the game. Masking the pain is not good for a players long term wellbeing. As for the argument that they are not performance enhancing well take them away and see how well the player performs then. If you can't play then you don't, the only injection players should get are flu shots and the like and anaesthetics when having ops. The rest should be outlawed.

It's not only his disposal it's his decision making and at times that also impacts his ability to get the ball.

That's a very good question.

"David, I don't know what the club is", AD...well that tells me that AD has told Evans there is an investigation otherwise why would he be pushing the don't know what the club is..what club? why does it matter? what's going on? wasn't it supposed to be confidential information? He didn't find out the club until after the ACC Fed govt presser, so no he didn't know the club but he certainly did know there was an investigation and gave Essendon reason to go public. Well...as I've said before they were tipped off that a club was under investigation and it didn't take a genius to add up 1+1 and come up with it was us, Essendon.

Trouble is we've never had anyone good enough to stop Harvey, we've tried it before.

I think your part right there but...if he did spill the beans I think he maybe in real trouble in a legal sense. Surely he would have been bound under some sort confidentiality agreement. I don't think he would have been stupid enough to break his confidentiality agreement but wouldn't be surprised if he has pushed the letter of that agreement. The PR thing, I just think it adds to the lies that have been told all along. I never believed their story from the beginning and now we are seeing why. I always thought Hird knew about the program which we now know is true and I have never gone along with the rogue elements idea that the PR machine has been spinning out there. Not sinister...just more lies.

Agree with that, I think him taking time out now and heading OS is a good thing. I can't see us appointing anyone, coach included unless they are ready and able to give a full and total commitment. It looks to me that Jackson has set up the structures he wants and has interim people in the roles, it doesn't look as though anything is being rushed. It seems that he is targeting key people and appointments will be made at an appropriate time. The coach will be well and truly in place before draft time, I can't see us going through a trade period without the key people. I wouldn't be to worried about that.

The timing has always been the one for me. Evans knew there was trouble brewing as the media were on to something, that they all seemed shocked at the press conference and in particular Hird never rang true to me. AD might not have told them of the investigation and he may not have been told at the time by the ACC which club was involved but he would have had a very good guess. He did know a club was being investigated so his conversation with Evans may have been along the lines of "Mate, I strongly suggest you get on the front foot, call a press conference tomorrow and announce an investigation." but....."tomorrow David."

It's a team effort 'Sat', I think Geelong set the standard and it was built on a passionate and effective Prez appointing a top notch CEO and then sorting out the finance and football side of things. One of the things identified by PJ is the need for experienced football people around the club, more people to carry the load. Walsh definitely ticks this box, he is a successful highly regarded football administrator with excellent relationships in all areas of the game including the media who I know you don't regard but are extremely important to have onside.

...and the one he reappointed.

It all seemed too convenient that Essendon came out a couple of days before the big announcement by the ACC and govt. The media had been on their backs for a couple of months leading up to the big press conference where James golden boy looked as though he was caught with his pants down whilst denying any knowledge of anything and taking full responsibility for everything. Something he has now backed away from at a rate of knots. Someone definitely tipped them off, whether it was AD or not there was a tip off that turned them around from threatening legal action against media outlets to self reporting.

No one is infallible 'Mach', but his record is 2nd to none. At least he has taken quick action to change things up.

Fitzy is going ok but Jack is a fair way ahead of him, he is also a lot further ahead than Dawes imo. Clark may well end up as our no.1 ruckman if he returns to full fitness. Hogan is yet to play a game. I think he is being well treated now and I also see that anyone looking at him as a prospect will see him as a flexible option, not just Melbourne.