TOPIC:

Just as I was enjoying my footy more than ever in the last 2-3 years,I awoke to the news that WADA has appealed at the last minute so here we go again. It's not an appeal as such but pretty much a brand new case. You've got to feel for the players.
I have an empty feeling myself at this moment.

Mad Dog wrote: Just as I was enjoying my footy more than ever in the last 2-3 years,I awoke to the news that WADA has appealed at the last minute so here we go again. It's not an appeal as such but pretty much a brand new case. You've got to feel for the players.
I have an empty feeling myself at this moment.

Great news!, money and power in Australia means jack in the real world, ask Lance Armstrong! The players , the ones who are asked in thier induction to question ANYTHING that is put in THIER bodies?

I'm happy for all to go under oath in a WADA investigation. Got to feel for the players though...,have the feeling they knew this was coming the way they have been playing lately. Just ruined Gill's tenure which is probably what he deserves.

Welcome to the real world Essendon, AFL and AFLPA.

I must admit I do feel a bit of sympathy for the players. If I was asked to be involved in a programme of injections by the club I'd want some assurances it was all above board before agreeing. I have no sympathy whatsoever for Hird. I can't believe he's still in the AFL system let alone a head coach.

au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/279196...trikes-drugs-policy/


Maybe I'm a fool for thinking so but the story above in the West just made wonder about its timing, 2 days after WADA decides to appeal the AFL announce they are going to review their illicit drugs policy. Is this part of the bigger game of politics that are clearly going on behind closed doors. My opinion only here but I get the feeling this is now more between the Drug Authority (WADA and therefore ASADA) and the AFL and sport itself rather than just Essendon with the view to teaching the AFL who's boss in these matters and in its over inflated self serving bigger picture. Some men on very big money working for WADA which does not run on a shoe string budget as some tend to claim. McDevitt had a big enough ego to play with a nothing hand that's for sure. Wouldnt be the first time those with authority let it get to their heads and Im talking on both sides of the fence here. Sad if this is the reality, especially for 34 young men.

Having said this I still believe after what occurred in this investigation that if an open & honest investigation is conducted by WADA free of the AFL it can only be a good thing after all the bullshit we've had to endure. I'm just not so sure it's being done for these reasons which is a shame if so.

Dirty Weekender wrote: au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/279196...trikes-drugs-policy/


Maybe I'm a fool for thinking so but the story above in the West just made wonder about its timing, 2 days after WADA decides to appeal the AFL announce they are going to review their illicit drugs policy. Is this part of the bigger game of politics that are clearly going on behind closed doors. My opinion only here but I get the feeling this is now more between the Drug Authority (WADA and therefore ASADA) and the AFL and sport itself rather than just Essendon with the view to teaching the AFL who's boss in these matters and in its over inflated self serving bigger picture. Some men on very big money working for WADA which does not run on a shoe string budget as some tend to claim. McDevitt had a big enough ego to play with a nothing hand that's for sure. Wouldnt be the first time those with authority let it get to their heads and Im talking on both sides of the fence here. Sad if this is the reality, especially for 34 young men.

Having said this I still believe after what occurred in this investigation that if an open & honest investigation is conducted by WADA free of the AFL it can only be a good thing after all the bullshit we've had to endure. I'm just not so sure it's being done for these reasons which is a shame if so.

Fair summation DW. As much as i think Essendon did wrong i think the AFL was worse, for reasons that you state. For a country that prides its self as flag bearers of anti drugs in sport, the AFL/Essendon, did everything to cover up, and protect the brand. If its good enough to bring a WORLD famous superstar ( L Armstong) to the fore , then we need to be seen to be doing the right thing here, else face the consequences form WADA. Trying to be cute by half me thinks

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the players get found not guilty?

thefalconstrike wrote: Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't the players get found not guilty?

Falconstrike, you are wrong bud, no one was found guilty or nor guilty of taking the substances, the tribunal decided there wasn't enough evidence to conclude a decision either way. On Tuesdays version of AFL 360 Gerald Whatley was very firm on this point with James Hird.

That's why the appeal has come about, WADA claims there is enough evidence that something happened, they believe its up to Essendon to prove that what they injected the players wasn't performance enhancing. Not sure how that works in Law but I don't understand a lot of this stuff.

I don't see how they can come up with a different answer if they cant produce new evidence, however I understand how the appeal came about

Lol looks like the Bombers are off to Lausanne Switzerland for the appeal well away from the AFL'S interfering tentacles although I doubt that WADA would give a **** about that anyway.