Lucifers Hero

Did the Bulldogs blow pick 25 on Dunkley? They expected Sydney to match the bid and they didn't. Beveridge sure looked confused and uncertain! Not surprised Sydney didn't take Dunkley. He nominated them last week only after he saw where he might be drafted. That doesn't show much desire to really commit to the Swans. Could have been seen as just being opportunistic...not the Swans type If Bulldogs expected Swans to match the bid they didn't do their homework very well.

I thought, taking an extra mid/on-baller not so critical as: - the club has confidence in our lower pick mids/on-ballers: Stretch, Harmes, ANB, Kent, Bugg etc - Next year's draft runs deep for mid-fielders/on-ballers - Mitch King and Liam Hulett expected to be rookied by Melb which says all the mids we wanted were gone so we went for need. Overall, a balanced result.

A surprise was that Carlton and Ess did not bid for any academy players. Early on I thought GWS/Lions were going to get their top players for nicks! Thankfully GCS and Richmond came to the rescue. Fair chance Carlton and Ess were positioning themselves to trade up for the academy clubs early picks next year!

Good comparisons and a real compliment to the kid. Dangerfield, Parker and Gray were 'Big Fish' we went really hard for pre trade. We missed out on all so now we will grow our own: Oliver!! ...along with Brayshaw, Viney, Petracca, Hogan, Weidman etc etc etc etc Let the good times role! Ok, it is all potential but I am enjoying the post trade morning!!

Love the gif! The difference between Tyson and Viney (love both) is that Viney has serious hurt factor. Probably more so than anyone in the league atmo so no slight on Tyson. Viney leaves ops bloodied and bruised wondering what just happened! With no 'beg your pardons'! Not bad for a 'little' guy...with plenty of attitude!

And, Stretch and ANB played together since kiddie days. Then there is Tom and Oscar. Coincidence, I reckon but bodes well for mateship and team morale!

Weideman on SEN: -His grandfather and Barassi are great mates -His family is delighted about going to the Dees -Had spoken to Melb a few times over the months and knew we would take him!! -Delighted he is playing with Jesse...and who wouldn't be!!!!

Yes, Grimes and Dawes out of the calendar. Not surprised at all. Another sign they are on notice. Their positions in the Leadership Group could also be in jeopardy!

Heard Worsfold interviewed just now...sound very much like they will take a tall at 4 or 5. Could mean Weidman will be gone by 7.

Just browsed thru the calendar and saw some new calendar faces: Gawn, Brayshaw, Hogan, Pearce, and Garlett. And, Brayshaw and Hogan grace the cover; the do look mighty fine! All the new faces made their mark on the season in their own way so good to see them included. Especially good to see the Club continue to support women's football, by including Daisy.

Oliver won me with this comment: “I do pride myself on being competitive. I always have ever since I was little. I just see the ball and want to get the ball. I always want to win. I never want to lose,” Oliver told Fox Footy...“I think they (Melbourne) like my inside work, my clean hands, work at the stoppages and competitiveness.” I like the maturity in that...proud of his strengths and nothing egotistical about it! The words underlined would be music to Jesse's ears...he made similar competitive comments after the RS award. With that attitude Oliver will fit in nicely with the commitment our your brigade have made to winning. For too long it was ok for our players to accept losing/floggings. Can't help but think there is a new breed in Demon town!

An interesting tidbit from Emma: "the Dees organised a late meeting with Wayne Milera in Adelaide on Monday. Could he go here or at pick 7?" She is pretty good at sassing out these little pearls just to give us more to think about! And, from Callum Twomey: "The Dees are set to meet Francis on Tuesday just hours before their first choice shapes the early proceedings of the AFL's revamped draft night." OK, a bit more last minute manoeuvering!!

Here is the official announcement. http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-11-23/melbourne-announces-financial-profit Looks like we received an extra $1.2m from the AFL which went straight to Football spending. It went into player development and TPP. Player development I'm sure we would all agree is a very worthy cause! 2016 will be a big year! On field for obvious reasons. Off field we will need to renew AHG and other sponsors and get our membership #'s up. It will take a leap of faith by sponsors and members to 'sign up' before the on field runs are on the board (ie wins)! Overall we are tracking well and PJ staying will make a big difference, especially to sponsors.

Shane Charter continues to wade around in mirky ponds!: "The self-styled biochemist known as "Dr Ageless", Shane Charter, appears to have shrugged off the Essendon supplements scandal and is pursuing a new business venture — chasing more than $11 million hidden in offshore tax havens by notorious conman Peter Foster". http://www.theage.com.au/business/dr-ageless-shane-charter-chasing-missing-millions-in-cayman-islands-20151122-gl4yk3.html#ixzz3sG8Mw1D1 Leopard's don't change their spots!!

Maybe Oliver is a late bolter only to the media and football watchers!! In a recent interview Taylor said we have a scout (whose name I have forgotten) who watches players from under12 onwards!!! Taylor would also have the benefit of scouts for underage players from his days at Collingwood. So Taylor has been watching him (and other draftees) for a very long time. If Taylor takes Oliver @ 3 he will have a damn good reason. And, it won't be because Oliver is suddenly making the headlines! I for one won't be doubting Taylor's choice.

In addition to those 3 it could be why we have Ben Kennedy. Pies had a few like him - Elliot, Fasolo etc so BK couldn't get a game. Also, we need fast brains/thinkers just as much as fast legs as in Sam Mitchel type fast brain/thinker. Have no idea who we should take but happy for any that have A1 level 'footy smarts'/decision making/fast brains.

It is absurd to even think let alone say that some players would not tell the truth under oath, in a court of law! If this is what your "distinguished and credible circles who are close to this whole process" are telling you then one has to wonder about their judgement. You are suggesting perjury! Do you or your credible circles truly believe some players would commit such a crime!! And I'm not sure where you suddenly get the 'intimidation factor' from? What evidence over nearly 3 years is that of this? Apparently, 6 players testified. It is highly probable some if not most of the 6 are ex players at other clubs or no longer playing. What do they have to fear? And from whom? Their loyalties would be to the law, themselves, their families and to a lesser extent their club; certainly not EFC, AFL AFLPA. And would WADA really call witnesses whose testimony they couldn't rely on? They are smarter than that! I find it hard to buy the 'intimidation factor' assumption. By the way did the 'key witnesses' (Charter, Alvi etc) whom earlier in the week you were certain would be subpoenaed, appear at CAS this week? Were subpoenas issued?

This case starts from scratch. Earlier it was the Victorian Supreme Court that denied the subpoenas. This appeal is in NSW. The previous subpoenas were requested under the Arbitration Act. which was deemed to not apply. Whole different ball game this time.

Good point...this year they learnt from their mistake and went after Yarran. The difference: Garlett - pick # - who knows... Yarran - pick # 19 It will never cease to amaze me the bargain Garlett was for us. His comments echo the good vibe coming from our young brigade. I know 'words are cheap' etc but good attitudes are infectious and I have a sense this team will work for each other on and off the field. A long, long time since players worked for each other. Can't wait to see Jeff kick 50 and watch our team develop! The ball is their court...they are the only ones that can make their premiership dream come true!!

As I understand it witnesses for CAS are under oath (unlike at the AFL Tribunal). One of the players called as a witness was Jobe Watson. He strikes me as an honest person who has led his team thru this saga with grit. I can't imagine he would not tell the truth.

Looks like the players fronted up to give evidence to CAS: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/essendon-players-give-evidence-at-court-of-arbitration-for-sport-hearing-20151119-gl3cty.html No news of other witnesses appearing. If Charter, Alvi et al weren't called to appear WADA had a good reason not to. Would suggest confidence in their case.

Agreed! I was Schwabs biggest critic for a long time...and knew we couldn't move forward with him at the helm. But he deserves great kudos for the respect and love he has shown the club by staying silent and keeping his distance. It takes a big man to do this. He does not deserve any whacks on this forum anymore. Am delighted PJ has signed up. He believes!! It is important to sponsors to see PJ stay, especially as Roos will go. The risk was sponsors would see us as a rookie club again if both of them went next year. PJ staying gives the continuity sponsors want to see. PJ is crucial to re-signing AHG etc next year. In short, he is crucial to our future!

You might have to point out the Rule that covers the type 2 evidence as I could only find Rule 57 in bb's CAS link Not doubting your distinctions and conclusions...just would like to get the whole picture. Cheers,

Hey, bb...I am your side!! I was simply answering your previous post... I always said 'new' evidence can be presented and it is up to the panel to accept it...yes on its merit and relevance and whatever other criterias they generally use. Rule 57 however, is silent on what the criterias for acceptance by the Panel My understanding is (and I'm not a legal person) that appeals to CAS are always run as 'de novo' ie a 'new trial' so not sure there is a distinction between 'appeal trial' and 'new trial'. In which case Rule 57 applies. A general comment: This panel is the creme de la creme of CAS panelists, ultra professional and very experienced. I doubt they will let either party play games and will apply Rules (incl Rule 57) as intended and as they have been applied in other cases. WADA lawyers will know what they have to do to get 'new' evidence accepted.

Rule 57 bb. "The Panel has discretion to exclude evidence presented by the parties if it was available to them or could reasonably have been discovered by them before the challenged decision was rendered. Articles R44.2 and R44.3 shall also apply". So any 'new' (ie newly available) evidence can help WADA's cause for a 'comfortable satisfaction' decision, IF the CAS panel admit it. You can bet the players lawyer's will go hell for leather and challenge 'new' evidence, using Rule 57.