Lucifers Hero

Caroline has her say: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-20170224-gukxno.html These two paragraphs sum it up rather nicely: "The varying degrees of delusion in that bunker occupied by Paul Little, James Hird, Mark Thompson and Danny Corcoran can be summed up by concluding that all were in desperate positions but none – at least in the recording – showed contrition for the damage they had caused and were continuing to create". "Those who allowed this to happen should be so ashamed of themselves that any personal grievances remain red herrings to what they put their players through. And the side issue in the form of a push for a parliamentary inquiry smacks of an attempt to rewrite the key facts of the club's dreadful recent history." She makes very strong links of Bomber to the recording.

Hird had some early lessons in cheating it seems. The AFL should take the 2000 premiership off them, and give it to us

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-02-14/keilty-puts-teammates-ahead-of-himself A humble young man. Clearly wanted to be a Demon! “If I had an option between every club, Melbourne would’ve always been number one for me – especially this year with the alignment and being in close quarters with them...It’s probably turned out the best, but I didn’t have much interest [in going to any other clubs] besides Melbourne.” He will repay the faith shown in drafting him. Hope he gets a chance at the seniors at some stage this year.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/jobe-watson-has-returned-his-2012-brownlow-medal-to-the-afl-20170208-gu8g0o.html A bit more info on return of the medal: "The delivery of the medal was handled by McLachlan, Watson and Watson's father Tim". But Gil is still stalling: "...the league CEO added he had "no idea" what the AFL would do with the relinquished Brownlow." There is only one thing to do - Melt it down so that no-one can gain any future commercial value from it. And Gil should demand Essendon take out the 2012 Brownlow medal from Watson's profile on their website!

Last night I said to a friend I would be surprised if many of the 10 banned players returning at Essendon will get senior games, as most of them were not often in the best 22 in 2015. Today I saw this: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-02-06/no-guarantees-for-returning-bombers-says-worsfold Oh my, how the narrative has changed! A few months ago it was 'we can't wait to get them back' implying back on the park playing senior football. Now its: "...Worsfold said there would be no guarantees given to the group ahead of the home and away season, with no extra loyalty afforded their way for knocking back rival offers to come back to Essendon after their suspensions". I'm surprised to hear Worsfold say that in public. It is such a blatant contrast to the club's adulation of players showing their loyalty by signing up again. Clearly loyalty is a one way street!! We will never know what they were told before signing up or if this is an about face. If the latter well silly players for trusting that club again!

For Robbo: Yes it does matter. The medal is now not just a piece of tin. It is now a real collectors item simply because of the rarity of its 'provenance'. And he is still the official winner on the EFC website. http://www.essendonfc.com.au/player-profile/jobe-watson For them nothing has changed and the AFL is condoning the lie. Its an insult to the history of the Brownlow and to Mitchell and Crotchin. Jobe must give it back and his name expunged from all records not just an asterisk beside his name.

I will barrack for every team that plays Essendon. I would like them to lose as many games as possible so will be going for the Hawks, albeit through gritted teeth! The lesser of two evils so to speak!

Here is Hird snr response to Patrick Smith's articles: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/patrick-smith-ignores-the-truth-in-his-articles-on-my-son-james-hird/news-story/722b0db398c399c6fc82b7dac1ff7cff Nothing worth quoting - it is a rehash of the whole saga from go to whoa. Full of should've, could've, would've. Calling for a Senate enquiry. He didn't mention whether he had been to see his son, James; one doubts that he has - it would have been all over the news if he had. Or he would have made a comment about James's wellbeing/progress somewhere in the article. One would think visiting your son when unwell would be a far better way to support him and his family than a rant. Interesting, that Cronulla (who just happened to win the 2016 premiership) are not joining the band wagon to have a Senate enquiry into ASADA etc. Cronulla are winners; Essendon et al are sore losers - still bellyaching about the umpires decsion.

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/01/18/sheedy-hird-should-never-have-coached-without-prior-experience/ I rarely agree with Sheedy but I do this time when he says Hird '...should never have been allowed to coach without having acquired experience as an assistant beforehand.' Shame he said the exact opposite when Hird was appointed. If he had spoken up back then he could have saved everyone a lot of grief! On SEN Sheedy was rewriting history, again!

Fair comments, x. I also applaud Smith for exposing the mistruths, the blaming and the rewriting of history in recent weeks. It irked me that he used the inanimate 'this column' to express 'its' concern rather than the more humane 'I'. So, I would have preferred he said nothing at all about concern rather than make insincere platitudes. His exposure of the mistruths would have been just as powerful without that last line, afterthought. I guess, I feel that anyone who has reached the end of the line, regardless of the enormity of their sins or being the master of their own demise, is deserving of some compassion simply because they are human and in a very dark place. Just my feelings tho'. Not sure how much support Hird will get from his family and friends. He seems to have burnt them off over recent years. He is a lonely man in a dark place; yes of his own making. I for one, wish him well in getting his life back together again.

It looks like a lot of people took Smith to task over that article http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/opinion/patrick-smith/column-did-not-trivialise-mental-health-merely-corrected-mistruths/news-story/8bf3e8994292acd11efdb6f3260d85bc A few more truths from Smith: Between Hird’s hospitalisation and (Smith's) Monday’s column, history was rewritten. No one seemed to think this regurgitation of Hird’s fall from grace and good health was inappropriate or could be a hindrance to his recovery. Hird was not bullied but given poor advice and made misjudgments of his own. That is why he is under expert treatment, his life spiralling down a dark hole of his and others’ making. This column again expresses its great concern for Hird and his family. Just as it repeatedly did last Monday. While I agree with the truths, Smith's lack of empathy and compassion is a disappointing position by a senior journalist eg 'This column expresses its great concern..." as the only words of support are rather feeble for Hird or others in a similar situation, even one of their own making.

Now it is Sheedy keeping Hird on the front page: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/essendon-bombers/kevin-sheedy-launches-defence-of-james-hird-says-he-is-loved-20170113-gtqrn4.html His (ex) lawyer, his father and now his mentor - all keeping him in the news. All intent in pointing the finger at the 'drugs saga'/AFL. All profess to care about his welfare and that of his family. Whatever the causes of his illness this has become an incredibly sad saga. His family are the innocent parties and the ones being hurt the most. That his three sons have (apparently) stopped playing aussie rules is really sad. They now play soccer. I would hate for my child to go to school, sport etc and be taunted in a way only kids can. An attempted suicide is terrible enough for a family to deal with, without having it splashed in the news every 5 minutes. All the people who profess to care should just stop and think about the kids before they say anything. Then they should keep quiet.

That is because they accepted responsibility because 'it happened on their watch' even if they didn't know/weren't involved. They did the honourable thing, fell on their sword and resigned. They and their families have moved on without stigma. James did not accept the 'it happened on my watch' principle, disclaimed any responsibility and decided to fight it tooth and nail. That was is right and his choice. And he has paid a heavy price for that choice but it was his choice. He and his family have not moved on.

I doubt it will be while Gil is at the helm...unless Gil starts to worry about the 'bad look' from the AFL being blamed for Hird's ill health. Or some Essendon people in high places (eg Victoria Premier, Victoria Governor) might start leaning on Gil. And as we all know Gil can be quite 'flexible' when it suits him or when his precious image/government funding are at stake.

Ok, the publicity seeker comment was rather tongue-in-cheek. You are quite right I don't know the issues but I was not speculating. In fact, I chose to not quote the comments made about the personal issues by his father. And I stand by the point that if, as a father, Hird snr wanted to protect his son and his family he would say nothing. I see you find the commentary on here in poor taste and if it upsets you so, maybe its best to not open the thread for a while. In the meantime I'm happy to let the moderators delete anything they feel is inappropriate.

Maybe Hird snr also has a narcissistic streak and likes to see his own name in the papers and hear his voice on radio! Re others' comments on James' mental health issues. I don't doubt they are genuine but I do doubt the ASADA saga is the primary cause. There have been enough not so oblique references in the news (even from his father's interview) to indicate the issues are deeply personal. The AFL/ASADA et al are convenient red herrings. That isn't necessarily a bad thing to protect the family but a better way of protecting them is to simply shut up!

yes...and all has gone quiet on the Jobe: give back the medal story. Sam McClure made a valiant attempt but I reckon the AFL shut him down quick smart! The AFL wants Jobe to quietly keep it, so no noise from the media thanks! 'Independent' AFL media = puppets on a string!!

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/james-hird-taken-to-hospital-with-major-health-scare/news-story/d3510ef3cd113de4b1928e08aaaee9b4 Quote: But Channel Seven said Hird was taken to Cabrini Hospital at “10.07pm last night after an intentional poisoning overdose”. The substance wasn’t revealed. It’s believed Hird left the hospital earlier today and is receiving care elsewhere. I have zero respect for Hird and abhor what he did but I don't wish him any ill, after all he has children, family and friends who have been and are seriously affected by the trauma he has and is going thru. If that quote is correct Hird is clearly not a well man. I think this is a time to put grievances aside.

Not really - its done when Jobe gives back the medal.

Mitchell actually said he had not spoken to Jobe. There is more evidence to support my proposition than the 'possibilities' presented in that post.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/trent-cotchins-show-of-respect-to-jobe-watson-before-2012-brownlow-medal-handover/news-story/efa34588fe750031ee718abcbe3503b6 An interesting piece of intrigue: "...as the AFL still refused to say where Watson’s medal was and whether he had given it back". That has a hollow ring of truth - if it was given back they would say so, right? Probably part of the 'deal', something like - no problem, Jobe, yeah just tell the media you will give it back but tuck Charlie away in a bottom draw for a while and keep it quiet. Set up right there for some future amnesty and 'return' of the medal to 'poor Jobe'...probably to coincide with his intro to he "Hall of Shame Fame". The AFL are truly a disgrace. Many of us have said it on DL, if it wasn't for the love of the Dees I would give AFL away.

Cotchin and Mitchell are now the official 2012 Brownlow medalists. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/sam-mitchell-and-trent-cotchin-get-2012-brownlow-medals-20161213-gt9u65.html Interesting that Crotchin contacted Jobe: "I've reached out to Jobe. I thought that was the right thing to do," Mitchell on the hand: 'Mitchell was even briefer when asked if he was thinking of Watson..."No, I'm going to leave that," Mitchell said'. Its pretty clear what Mitchell thinks! His silence backs up his syringe in the arm 'mime' of a few years ago. Good on him for not giving credence to the 'poor Jobe' charade that seems to have infected most in the wider AFL world. Edit: Sam McClure is making a strong case for Jobe to actually hand back the medal http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/sam-mitchell-and-trent-cotchin-have-their-2012-brownlow-medals-jobe-its-time-to-hand-yours-back-20161214-gtb3pr.html Quotes: The AFL doesn't have it. Essendon say they don't want to know where it is. Watson himself is telling people he's unsure of its exact location. In fact, the AFL is adamant that the location of the medal is of no interest to it. So Jobe keeps his medal after all. Rather insulting to Crotchin and Mitchell.

Really? Care to reference? I've seen articles about Heppell taking over when Jobe hangs up his boots but not next year...could have missed them.

An interesting picture from this article: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/dyson-heppell-renovated-rejuvenated-and-ready-to-captain-essendon-20161124-gsx1vl.html On the captaincy: "I feel I'm ready," he says." Call me cynical but it cannot be a coincidence that Heppell is standing in front of Jobe's locker - a message for Jobe - time to move on pal...!! Sure the photographer set it up but Heppell would have known exactly where he was and the significance of it. Combined with Worsfold's commetns about Jobe doubting his passion, it looks like Jobe is being eased out, none too subtly either. No wonder Jobe is disillusioned. That club would have imploded without him. Deserves to keep the captaincy.

Short and 'sweet' from ASADA: "...This man {Dank} should not be allowed near any athlete, anywhere in the world, ever," McDevitt said. Here, Here!! http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-throws-out-stephen-dank-appeal-after-noshow-20161128-gsz99f.html