Diamond_Jim

For anyone who is fluent in German here is the link to website of the Swiss Federal Court. I had a quick look at the English section but so far no luck. My understanding from the AFL site was that the judgement was in German and had been embargoed until the players were informed. That time has obviously passed. http://www.bvger.ch/recht/00551/index.html?lang=en On a lighter side... I found the Swiss court link via an article (below) on a Swiss news site..... Has a heading .... "Not a G'Day" and features a picture of a Melbourne player being tackled by an Essendon player http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/not-a-g-day_swiss-court-rejects-appeal-by-banned-australian-rules-players/42508834

Those quotes relate to the AFL tribunal which found them not guilty. Bit like the argument that because the CAS decision was 2-1 that more judges (counting the AFL tribunal members) found them to be innocent.... (flawed logic)

Main reason is that the AFL tribunal applied the burden of proof argument in a completely different way to CAS (chain vs string) To extend that statement: AFL tribunal looked for proof that what the players were given was Drug X CAS said Danks ordered it.... Drug X was in the fridge..... players were given drugs.... reasonable to assume it included Drug X (Simplistic but the AFL Tribunal looked for direct evidence whereas CAS was happy to rely on circumstantial evidence)

http://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Arbitral_Award_WADA_ESSENDON.pdf

I think the Court of Appeal decision is required reading for every fan who is interested in this subject. It is not that long and as far as legal judgements go it is in relatively plain English. The Court deals with each argument and then dismisses it with unequivocal logic. (They even look at the youth argument.)

ah... you are getting it... that was the question they were asked...... are you taking any supplements..... and they answered.............. NO !!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Actually they left the section blank) Here's the link to the form .... you will find the relevant question in the large white box under Section 3 headed "Information for Analysis" https://wada-main-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wada_doping_control_form_v6.pdf Then have a read of the Appeal Court's judgment at paragraphs 161 and 162 http://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Arbitral_Award_WADA_ESSENDON.pdf Sorry Saty but the evidence against them was damning

Love these deals..... guarantees the player the money notwithstanding form and injury but under current practice the player can walk to his preferred club at any time. A real win/lose deal..... time for some balance away from the players. Don't begrudge the player getting long term security but it has to cut both ways.

From the AFL site: "Those still hopeful Watson will retain his medal point to the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal verdict in March 2015 that cleared the players. The AFL Commission must decide if it sides with the rules governing world sport it has signed up for, or if there are extenuating circumstances for Watson and he proves to be an exception." They are kidding aren't they !!!!

Dank's defence would have been informed consent on the part of either or the club and the players. No way would they sue him as he would have said who knew what and when. The importation and use of the various drugs was in no way illegal as I understand it. The taking of the drugs violated the contractual provisions of the WADA code. The only way that it would come out to the benefit of the club is if he was contracted to provided drug A (allowed) and he administered drug B (banned). The absence of records makes a mockery of this argument. On the issue of blame the players have done their time and should be allowed back. No need for them to be treated as heroes. What is badly missing is contrition and acceptance of responsibility by EFC, the Coach, the relevant staff and yes.... the players. Each had fault and each bears responsibility albeit in differing ways and to differing degrees. Looking forward to reading the judgment when available.

no joy in this waiting for the EFC apology.... (yeah we now what they will say.... it now allows us to draw a line and move on) with a number one draft pick. Did anyone learn a lesson ???

Did not realise we had this rule. Well and truly agree that it should go. Many US companies have as part of their terms of employment that you will agree to relocate. Have not seen it with an Australian company but perhaps professional sportspeople should see it as part of their business.

Another possible example of systemic manipulation by Collingwood which following on the Treloar operation could do with some transparency. The AfL does have an ethics section. I would expect young Daicos to present " independent" medical evidence as to why he was unable to participate. Not a big thing but another example of something that "smells."

I think they were meaning that one could make a nominal offer (say 4th round pick or the like)

Funny you mention this. The Essendon bomberblitz forum suggested this trade on the basis that we then on trade 19/20 to Essendon for Hibberd. I suppose we would say "they were dreamin" and in fact the follow up comment on bomberblitz was that no one would pay for Dunn when he could be had for free!! Wonderful how different people see the world.

Ah but the comp is so even...... Gil told me so

Hi just found this part of the Board. Most of my favourites have been mentioned but I will add two more: Ballers..... season 2 just finished. Made by the team who made Entourage but is based against the background of NFL. Season 2 was not as strong as season 1 in my view. There are some good blogs out of the US where they compare it with the real world of the NFL. Like Entourage it has cameos from real NFL players. Halt and Catch Fire... Season 3 now showing... about the early world of computers. Was originally compared to Mad Men but did not rate anywhere near as well. Great show for binge watching. And yes..... Man in the High Castle and the Night Manager are compulsive viewing along with the Politician's Husband and the Honourable Woman Looking forward to following your recommendations.... (don't forget the foreign dramas.. The Spiral is a great series.... top rated French crime drama now in fifth season.)

Why..... it got the result everyone including the AFL wanted and moreover it keeps the game flowing which is the "cardinal rule." The " overhead out the back handball" together with the "palm off" is here to stay.... or until Collingwood complain !!!

At a sale price of $200M it looks like the current owner did not do too well...... (in reality with the $30 buy out clause operable in 2025 it was more a limited income stream deal as compared to a land deal for the present owner.) More importantly under that form of ownership there was little if any incentive for the present owner to improve the stadium. "The stadium was announced on 31 October 1996 as a replacement for the much larger Waverley Park as a headquarters for the Australian Football League.[6] Originally developed by the Docklands Stadium Consortium and thereafter controlled by the Seven Network, the remaining leasehold interest in the stadium was sold to James Fielding Funds Management on 21 June 2006 for A$330 million.[7] Under the terms of the agreement governing construction and operation of the venue, in 2025 the AFL were to win ownership of the stadium for a $30 fee." Full article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docklands_Stadium

and of course a wonderful extended pre-season !!

I like to think we will see wins against St Kilda and North in 2017. Both teams relied on older players to deliver that little bit of an edge that is enough to see the "Old Demons" off. Time for that to change. Essendon is an unknown quantity. Re-introduction of 10-12 players after a year off must have some consequences on team play. I see the games against Port and Collingwood as pivotal in addition to the above. Win all of those ( a hard but not impossible task) and assuming we play them each twice that is 10 wins. Add in Richmond and Brisbane you have the makings of a good season. Frankly a season that sees less than 14 wins next year will be disappointing. [Sorry.... I forgot to insert Freo... but our home game is Darwin and an away game against Freo will be a good test.]

An example of a player that has improved and needs to take "another step" in 2017 if we are going to move on as a team. Showed class in some games and as mentioned could be an important part of a good defensive line.

All of Docklands is crown leasehold (makes it easier for planning purposes). The stadium could however be on a special purpose lease that could make redevelopment difficult. Then again redevelopment would probably go hand in hand with development of another stadium which would require crown (State) approval so it would all be part of one deal. As an aside stadium deals are fascinating. One of the reasons NFL teams move (LA Rams for instance) is because another city offers them a better stadium deal. The Olympics require "clean" ad free stadiums which often rule some stadiums out.

Medallion members already have automatic rights to purchase GF tickets so it should not really be an issue. The problem with the Medallion club is that you are guaranteed seat XYZ and it is yours to use, give to someone else or not use. A simple system of use it or lose it needs to be introduced. Yes there will be some trade offs but I'm sure someone can work it out.

thanks DD.... I was not aware of that Was thinking of going to the Socceroos game against Japan but the view from level 3 leaves a lot to be desired. Went to AAMI park to watch a few of the Asian Cup games and was blown away by the closeness of the experience

The issue of the second level reserved seating needs to be looked at closely. The medallion club members could easily be required to go online and register their attendance intention say 48 hours in advance. Remaining seats could be released to the public for a small mark up. When Melbourne plays at Docklands level 2 is often almost empty The stadium alignment is not a problem at night and the roof closure does provide atmosphere. The real problem is that AFL needs a circular ground and therefore the stadium has difficulty accommodating other codes and entertainments. People may recall that there were slide out seating that reconfigured the ground. This went with all the turf problems that beset the ground in its early years. In truth Melbourne is very lucky with its sporting stadiums compared with almost anywhere in the world.