Essendon 2013

[Footy Smart]

They are the offended party as well as the judge, as much as I reckon you cop a whack when you stuff up, I reckon I'll enjoy seeing someone take this system on.

They are the governing body, if you dont like its rules you dont play in the comp. I cant see the issue really, as the evidence obvioulsy shows these practices were incorrect hence the charges being laid....

[smac]

I don't disagree, I'll still enjoy watching the AFL challenged for once.

[Sky Pilot]

I don't disagree, I'll still enjoy watching the AFL challenged for once.

I'd love to Essendon take them on and win then counter sue for millions for damage to their brand. Awesome. Second only to a premiership, which in our case I think is reachable in the short or immediate term but perhaps not this year.

[NO-MERCY]

the bombers are going to get a bigger penalty than Melbourne and the crows.
Hird is going to get at least 16 games, and the fine could be 5 mil

Should get a minimum 12-18 months i think especially if Bailey got 6 months.

[daysofourlives]

The AFL believe Essendon have bought the game into disrepute, thats all that matters.
Essendon have probably done nothing illegal but that doesnt matter, Melbourne and Adelaide didn't do anything illegal either.
They have put the spotlight on the AFL by their actions and only self reported because the ACC was looking into them and their associates.
If they didn't do anything wrong why are they not still doing it then?

I imagine the AFL has the power to remove Essendon's license to play in the AFL. See how many sponsors and members they have after that, could be a good thing it might save the Bendigo bombers or gold whatever they're called these days

Take your medicine or should i say injections and move on

[Jim05]

The AFL believe Essendon have bought the game into disrepute, thats all that matters.
Essendon have probably done nothing illegal but that doesnt matter, Melbourne and Adelaide didn't do anything illegal either.
They have put the spotlight on the AFL by their actions and only self reported because Andy D tipped them off.
If they didn't do anything wrong why are they not still doing it then?

I imagine the AFL has the power to remove Essendon's license to play in the AFL. See how many sponsors and members they have after that, could be a good thing it might save the Bendigo bombers or gold whatever they're called these days

Take your medicine or should i say injections and move on

Edited for accuracy

[daysofourlives]

The AFL believe Essendon have bought the game into disrepute, thats all that matters.
Essendon have probably done nothing illegal but that doesnt matter, Melbourne and Adelaide didn't do anything illegal either.
They have put the spotlight on the AFL by their actions and only self reported because Andy D tipped them off.
If they didn't do anything wrong why are they not still doing it then?

I imagine the AFL has the power to remove Essendon's license to play in the AFL. See how many sponsors and members they have after that, could be a good thing it might save the Bendigo bombers or gold whatever they're called these days

Take your medicine or should i say injections and move on

Edited for accuracy

Thats even better then, 2 birds with one stone. An AFL without Andy D or Essendon would be great but il settle for Essendon at the bottom for a decade

[dedja]

Is it just me or are the denials from Hird reminiscent of one Lance Armstrong.

He continually states that the players didn't take any banned substances which is clearly false. Also, he is about the only Essendon identity who hasn't admitted that they have made some mistakes.

Is he just in absolute denial, pays his lawyers too much so just thinks they will get him off, or does he just simply think that he is above scrutiny?

Man, it will be a loud thud when he hits the ground.

[Jim05]

Is it just me or are the denials from Hird reminiscent of one Lance Armstrong.

He continually states that the players didn't take any banned substances which is clearly false. Also, he is about the only Essendon identity who hasn't admitted that they have made some mistakes.

Is he just in absolute denial, pays his lawyers too much so just thinks they will get him off, or does he just simply think that he is above scrutiny?

Man, it will be a loud thud when he hits the ground.

He will cop a whack, just depends on the size
At the end of the day he should accept some of the responsibility

[dedja]

So do you feel he is dodging that responsibility Jim? ... lawyers advice maybe?

Am I being too harsh?

[Jim05]

So do you feel he is dodging that responsibility Jim? ... lawyers advice maybe?

Am I being too harsh?

Ive been critical of him at times.
He has to man up and accept some responsibility, even if there was no illegal substances administered there is still too many grey areas in the supplement program.
I think he believes he will get off scott free, cant see that happening myself.
The lawyers are playing a big part in his motives aswell, this Burnside QC is a nasty piece of work who is itching at the bit to take on the AFL.
Hird definately wants to take Demetriou down

[Hondo]

Whatever penalties are handed down will be based on Hird legally agreeing to not challenge the AFL in court afterwards. A deal will be cut and that will be the end of it. I think Hird knows that and his QC knows this. The legal threats are just public posturing to try to get the penalties reduced.

I bet the heating will be about the extent of penalties and how to keep charges away from the players.

Dank on the other hand seems set on having his day in court.

[Turbo]

So do you feel he is dodging that responsibility Jim? ... lawyers advice maybe?

Am I being too harsh?

Ive been critical of him at times.
He has to man up and accept some responsibility, even if there was no illegal substances administered there is still too many grey areas in the supplement program.
I think he believes he will get off scott free, cant see that happening myself.
The lawyers are playing a big part in his motives aswell, this Burnside QC is a nasty piece of work who is itching at the bit to take on the AFL.
Hird definately wants to take Demetriou down

It's going to end badly for essendon if Hird wants to take the afl on. After all its the afl competition that they want to play in. Play by the rules. They've given the game a bad name. Cop your punishment and move on. Egotistical individuals have no place. Due register the club if they don't want to play by the rules.
The more Hird fights the worse essendon is

[Turbo]

.....also the essendon brand has been damaged forever. Maybe the club should sue Hird and his egotistical approach to this whole situation

[JK]

Due register the club if they don't want to play by the rules.
The more Hird fights the worse essendon is

That highlights the "House Of Cards" in this saga. De-registering the club would breach the TV rights agreement and cost a packet in both lost revenue and damages. Never going to be an option.

[LaughingKookaburra]

If the AFL did not add the possibility of a team being non competitive for what ever reason during the period of the TV rights deal in the contract terms then the entire AFL executive committee should be sacked immediately.

[Turbo]

Due register the club if they don't want to play by the rules.
The more Hird fights the worse essendon is

That highlights the "House Of Cards" in this saga. De-registering the club would breach the TV rights agreement and cost a packet in both lost revenue and damages. Never going to be an option.

Exactly wont happen but the club is going to be smashed to an inch of its life cos of its arrogant leaders.

[JK]

If the AFL did not add the possibility of a team being non competitive for what ever reason during the period of the TV rights deal in the contract terms then the entire AFL executive committee should be sacked immediately.

Would have lessened he price of the contract . That doesn't usually happen on Andy's watch

[LaughingKookaburra]

Due register the club if they don't want to play by the rules.
The more Hird fights the worse essendon is

That highlights the "House Of Cards" in this saga. De-registering the club would breach the TV rights agreement and cost a packet in both lost revenue and damages. Never going to be an option.

Exactly wont happen but the club is going to be smashed to an inch of its life cos of its arrogant leaders.

Don't discount that the leagues insurance would cover issues such as this. It's a long shot that they get booted but you don't hold a gun to the head of any corporation because they will respond and it's the club on the back foot here not the AFL.....

[nuggety goodness]

So can the AFL be charged with bringing the game into disrepute?!?

The dictionary meaning is as follows

bad repute; low regard; disfavor (usually preceded by in or into ): Some literary theories have fallen into disrepute.

Honestly, how much drama has there been since the inception of the two expansion sides? He's going here and he's been offered X amount, he's worth 2 first round draft picks whereas he's worth a 2nd round... Izzy Folau gets paid a squillion dollars to then go back to rugby after 2? seasons, oops... Andy Dimwitriou... Laws of the game committee farce changing rules and interpretations, jeff gieschen and the umpiring fraternity, the half hearted implementation of the video review system, seriously how many decisions are overturned? 5% tops I'd say, at least put cameras in the posts, surely it's not that hard, the substitution rule, talk of capping bench rotations, I 'm sure there's more but that's just off the top of my head...

All these things cause people to think lower of the AFL, therefore bringing the game into disrepute...

In essendons scenario I don't think they have a chance of overturning the charges... What they have done is draw negative light on the game of Aussie rules, even if they aren't found guilty of injecting illegal substances, the fact that it has dragged on for so long and had so many people involved puts them in real trouble...
Melbourne didn't tank (pffft!!!) and they got a half a Mil fine and suspensions