kickinit wrote:Red Rocket wrote:Like most people id like to see Essendon struggle at the bottom but not at the expense of justice.
At the start of this saga I must confess I judged them as guilty but the more this whole farce has gone on I get the feeling that most of it has been a media beatup and they are scapegoats. I still think the club and Hird acted poorly and that Hird probably shouldnt come back but im yet to be convinced they did anything other than run program that is unethical.
This Harcourt stuff in the last few days is a disgrace and if true it paints a horrible picture of the AFL. they haf an inkling Essendon were close to the edge and chose to send off blood samples secretly but were not prepared to step in and stop it, they waited nearly 12 months until Essendon self reported. By doing this hasnt the AFL breached its own codes of confuct and duty of care to players?
Im no lawyer but ASADA's case is full of holes and I believe Essendon had a couple of wins today and ASADA are required to hand over plenty of documents. I can see this whole case falling over and ASADA having to start again.
At worst players will cop 6 month bans but ive got a feeling they may escape altogether
The case won't fall over. 1 thing is ASADA is a government organisation, second thing is Essendon are about to wake up a sleeping giant WADA. WADA won't be to far off stepping in. If Essendon are innocent like they claim then they would never be fighting it in court.
Dont know about you but if I believed I was innocent I would do everything in my power to be proven innocent.
Ive gone to court over a $45 parking fine before so if I was charged as being a drug cheat id do everything possible to clear my name.
Yes it looks like a stalling tactic by Essendon but if they believe they are innocent then they deserve to fight it in court, it doesnt matter that ASADA are a government agency or not they still have to operate by the law and I think everyone would admit some of their procedures are not great and if they have gathered information illegally than the case should be thrown out.
Its then up to ASADA to start fresh and go about properly, if they do this and all evidence leads to them as taking banned drugs then give them a 2 year ban. I think Essendon now get to see the documents outlining what charges the players face and what evidence ASADA has, this seems bizarre that the judge would grant this.
As you said though WADA may come in over the top anyway.