The Chump is here... wrote:Just a thought: Firstly i am an Essendon supporter and this is not a whinge, but just an opinion and happy for people to prove me wrong or add some facts.
I can't see why Essendon should be stripped of their points. Have they cheated? From all reports no, the drugs injected were not prohibited at the time. Therefore what is the difference between Brisbane injecting IVF Drips at half time back in late 90's early 00's. Did they ever receive punishment for that? i cant recall any sanctions just a letter asking them to stop such practice.
Dont get me wrong Hird and Others should get their whack, but on the facts provided (albeit the ones detialed in the media) i can't see how they can justify stripping points.
I think the fact that it's a sensitive issue (drug use) and Essendon have (or had) openly said "we don't know what our players have taken", immediately brings the game into disrepute. There is a massive stigma in the public about drug use and combine that with the young men that have taken them, and it's an appalling look. Whether the AFL can find concrete evidence on their other suspicisions, who really knows? But the Bombers have certainly done enough to bring the game into disrepute (as grey as that is and as much as I hate the term). Until now they have continually refused to roll over on any deal negotiations as the AFL would have liked, and in fact have come out and attacked the CEO directly. I would suggest that's going to increase the size of their whack.
Point stripping I understand, loss of draft picks is one I would argue if I were a Bombers fan.
WOW, nothing like perpetuating stereotypes hey.......
