Essendon

[kickinit]

The show cause notices were for the use of Thymosin. Players have escaped any punishment for the use of AOD-9604. 34 players received the notices across several clubs, would think this is Monfries, Gumbleton, Crameri etc. This could drag on for up to 2 years now

Incorrect the show cause notices was for only Thymosin. The players can still be handed infraction notices for the use of AOD-9604. If the players don't come up with a good enough excuse why they where taking it, we would see them suspended this year. The 2-3 years Watson was talking about is the tribunal case then more then likely the players appealing the case. I don't think too many players would bother appealing the sentence if it means they will miss 2-3 years of footy.

The AFL hands out the suspensions not ASADA. This will definately end up in the courts. Remember Dank was given a show cause notice a month ago and still hasnt replied. Id say the players will reply and co-operate but my understanding is that they will definately go to court to clear their names
On the AOD situation, im not sure where that stands but im confident that if ASADA were certain about it then infraction notices would of been issued months ago. Im 100% confident that nothing will come of it. The Thymosin im not so sure

The AFL do hand out the suspensions, which really come from ASADA. Also WADA still play a role if their not happy with the suspension they can still take it out of the AFL hands. I think you'll find the infraction notices will come for AOD-9604, ASADA had said from the start it was a banned substance. Once players are handed infraction notices they are immediately suspended, if they lose at the tribunal then their only way off is through the courts which will be a 2-3 year process. The only way I see any player going to the courts is to clear their name not about playing AFL football again. Any player that misses 2-3 years of playing and training would struggle to make it back to play AFL, also add to the fact they will have to work in this time as the club can't pay them.

[Jim05]

Ive heard Richard Ings who is the ex boss of ASADA say several times that WADA cant interfere as the AFL is not a signatory to them. Would think he would know

[dedja]

Essendon just have to realise that they're part of a league and that they can't just go to the courts every time they don't get their way.

They can't expect any leniency when they've tried to dodge all of this since day one.

They can blame no-one but themselves for putting their players into this predicament.

[Jim05]

Essendon just have to realise that they're part of a league and that they can't just go to the courts every time they don't get their way.

They can't expect any leniency when they've tried to dodge all of this since day one.

They can blame no-one but themselves for putting their players into this predicament.

Id be more than happy for the club to cop severe penalties but not players.

[wycbloods]

Try finding an olympic athlete who has any sympathy for an essendon footballer. You won't. They know no matter what a coach says or what a doctor says they are responsible for what they consume or inject into their bodies.

Yes it is unfortunate that players may cop the penalty for what most would say was the failing of their football club but if found guilty i can't see it happening any other way.

[dedja]

I'd agree Jim, but the club has put the players into this position, not the AFL or ASADA.

If they sacked Hird like they should have done from day 1 (instead of giving him a 2 year extension) and admitted that they faarked up instead of trying to bully the AFL through the courts then that would go a long way to saving the players.

[heater31]

Try finding an olympic athlete who has any sympathy for an essendon footballer. You won't. They know no matter what a coach says or what a doctor says they are responsible for what they consume or inject into their bodies.

Yes it is unfortunate that players may cop the penalty for what most would say was the failing of their football club but if found guilty i can't see it happening any other way.

or even this bloke should have a word to the 34 players given notice....

VFL midfielder banned two years for doping

ASADA appealed his original suspension of 9 months and got the full 2 years........

or this one didn't even take the substance yet got the book thrown at him.

VFL player Wade Lees cops 18-month ban for importing performance-enhancing drugs

[smac]

Ive heard Richard Ings who is the ex boss of ASADA say several times that WADA cant interfere as the AFL is not a signatory to them. Would think he would know

ASADA can't really, do much either. The only body with the power to suspend a player is the AFL.

The club have continually ****** this up, I have no faith in them.

I doubt football at this level will be watchable by the time this mess is over with.

[kickinit]

Ive heard Richard Ings who is the ex boss of ASADA say several times that WADA cant interfere as the AFL is not a signatory to them. Would think he would know

WADA won't interfere with the investigation. The only time WADA will step in is once the sentence has been handed down, and that is only if they don't agree with the sentence handed down. The AFL is well and truly a signatory of WADA. They follow WADA code, if they didn't then ASADA wouldn't have any presence in the matter what so ever. I would love to see quotes of Ings saying this, probably why he never got the CEO job of ASADA, he didn't have a clue of what he was doing.

http://www.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20 ... 0FINAL.pdf

By this Code the AFL prohibits the classes of substances and methods which are prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List.
This Code also sets out various restrictions and requirements that apply in relation to the use and administration of certain substances and methods that are not prohibited under the WADA Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List.

(e) Persons Entitled to Appeal
The parties having the right to appeal to the Appeals Board shall be as provided in the NAD Scheme but, at a minimum, shall include the following parties:
(i) the Player or other Person who is the subject of the decision being appealed;
(ii) the other party to the case in which the decision was rendered;
(iii) AFL;
(iv) ASADA; and
(v) WADA.

[kickinit]

Try finding an olympic athlete who has any sympathy for an essendon footballer. You won't. They know no matter what a coach says or what a doctor says they are responsible for what they consume or inject into their bodies.

Yes it is unfortunate that players may cop the penalty for what most would say was the failing of their football club but if found guilty i can't see it happening any other way.

or even this bloke should have a word to the 34 players given notice....

VFL midfielder banned two years for doping

ASADA appealed his original suspension of 9 months and got the full 2 years........

or this one didn't even take the substance yet got the book thrown at him.

VFL player Wade Lees cops 18-month ban for importing performance-enhancing drugs

I don't know if you have actually read the full story on Wade Lees, but the supplement he imported was actually contaminated with a banned substance (steroids from memory). The product was not suppose to contain the substance, he didn't even receive it due to customs and still got 2 years.

[Jim05]

I'd agree Jim, but the club has put the players into this position, not the AFL or ASADA.

If they sacked Hird like they should have done from day 1 (instead of giving him a 2 year extension) and admitted that they faarked up instead of trying to bully the AFL through the courts then that would go a long way to saving the players.

Maybe the club believes it didnt give the players anything illegal, that could be why they are contesting so hard.
Or perhaps they are just trying to cover their arse, who knows.
Ive said all along I dont care if they were given 100 injections per day just as long as the stuff was legal

[woodublieve12]

.

[heater31]

Try finding an olympic athlete who has any sympathy for an essendon footballer. You won't. They know no matter what a coach says or what a doctor says they are responsible for what they consume or inject into their bodies.

Yes it is unfortunate that players may cop the penalty for what most would say was the failing of their football club but if found guilty i can't see it happening any other way.

or even this bloke should have a word to the 34 players given notice....

VFL midfielder banned two years for doping

ASADA appealed his original suspension of 9 months and got the full 2 years........

or this one didn't even take the substance yet got the book thrown at him.

VFL player Wade Lees cops 18-month ban for importing performance-enhancing drugs

I don't know if you have actually read the full story on Wade Lees, but the supplement he imported was actually contaminated with a banned substance (steroids from memory). The product was not suppose to contain the substance, he didn't even receive it due to customs and still got 2 years.

Yes I am very aware of what happened to Lees. Even though he didn't take any substances he still was given the maximum suspension. Any player caught in this Essendon saga should take note of what happened to him...

[whufc]

Football Federation Australia owe Essendon millions!!!!

While the real football showpiece is taking place the AFL is crumbling at its knees

This is the best leg up the round ball game has ever had in this country!

[woodublieve12]

Football Federation Australia owe Essendon millions!!!!

While the real football showpiece is taking place the AFL is crumbling at its knees

This is the best leg up the round ball game has ever had in this country!

Australia will get crushed... Then all the people who jump on the "football" bandwagon every four years will jump off when it's done.

Anyone who thinks soccer will take over Aussie rules has no idea about sport...

[heater31]

Football Federation Australia owe Essendon millions!!!!

While the real football showpiece is taking place the AFL is crumbling at its knees

This is the best leg up the round ball game has ever had in this country!

you kidding... Australia will get crushed... Then all the people who jump on the "football" bandwagon every four years will jump off when it's done.

Anyone who thinks soccer will take over Aussie rules has no idea about sport...

Mate, if scandals like this continue and the AFL falls asleep at the wheel then soccer will take over given the number of migrants moving here from the middle east and Africa.

[Frosty]

Just looking at the post of the Essendon team list for 2015 - wasn't it said early on the Zaharakis didn't take anything and hasn't been part of all this?

[JK]

Football Federation Australia owe Essendon millions!!!!

While the real football showpiece is taking place the AFL is crumbling at its knees

This is the best leg up the round ball game has ever had in this country!

Australia will get crushed... Then all the people who jump on the "football" bandwagon every four years will jump off when it's done.

Anyone who thinks soccer will take over Aussie rules has no idea about sport...

Every chance it will happen, just not in our lifetime

[cracka]

Football Federation Australia owe Essendon millions!!!!

While the real football showpiece is taking place the AFL is crumbling at its knees

This is the best leg up the round ball game has ever had in this country!

Australia will get crushed... Then all the people who jump on the "football" bandwagon every four years will jump off when it's done.

Anyone who thinks soccer will take over Aussie rules has no idea about sport...

About 3 months ago the advertiser had an article that soccer has the highest number of kids participating age from 5 - 14 (I think it was). Bear in mind that a lot more girls play soccer than Aussie rules so not sure of the break down of males participating.

[woodublieve12]

when the A-League can pull a regular crowd of 20K to every game and nearly a 100k for there GF i may start to take notice of the thought soccer will take over, but that is a long way away....

for the record, i don't hate soccer i go to a few a-league games a year.