TOPIC:

58shark wrote:

kirbs wrote: Ricciutto is adamant Hird will go by Thursday so if that happens inside next 30 hours, but he's stayed so far and deflected all SO FAR.

For mine he is a wolf in sheeps clothing on 3 points now

Great player but tainted from
Accusing an Umpire of cheating on national TV
Denying ever wanting the Essondon Coaching job on National TV and then straight in on the backstab of Knights
His position in the current saga.

All that and a majority of the Victorian public/media still think he's a darling....go figure.

Not sure thats quite correct 58, specially bout vic public
(essendon supporters excluded), and re the media a i agree with. Though do you agree that Benny had the same reaction here, with both the pucblic and wa media 58?

Unk, I think Ben got the benefit of the doubt by people like me initially. Let's face it - this was a new scenario as far as drugs in footy go and hard to believe that a young man who had everything in front of him would actually do what he did. I think as things became obvious, we started to become horrified and disgusted (apart from the blinded diehards). The media did what the media do for their 'darlings' and protected him as best they could. Then they turned on him like rabid dogs. I believe the difference between Ben and Hird is that one was totally addicted and driven by a dangerous drug and was harming only himself, the other was prepared to "do what it takes" to win a game of footy - inside or outside of the rules. No excuses for Ben, but once he started on 'the gear', any sensible decision making was lost to him.

Big rumour circulating Twitter Hird would stand down tomorrow, then shortly thereafter everyone backtracking.

The plot thickens.

58shark wrote: Unk, I think Ben got the benefit of the doubt by people like me initially. Let's face it - this was a new scenario as far as drugs in footy go and hard to believe that a young man who had everything in front of him would actually do what he did. I think as things became obvious, we started to become horrified and disgusted (apart from the blinded diehards). The media did what the media do for their 'darlings' and protected him as best they could. Then they turned on him like rabid dogs. I believe the difference between Ben and Hird is that one was totally addicted and driven by a dangerous drug and was harming only himself, the other was prepared to "do what it takes" to win a game of footy - inside or outside of the rules. No excuses for Ben, but once he started on 'the gear', any sensible decision making was lost to him.

My goodness 58, i actually AGREE

I think the most important questions are how fast can this issue be sorted & the ramifications for the AFL, Essendon, the AFL team that finishes 9th & any AFL teams that lose to Essendon in the finals.

If we assume that Essendon are guilty but the issue is not resolved until after the end of the season & any applicable sanctions are not imposed until the finals are completed, I can see some serious shit flying Essendon's way. I cam imagine both the team finishing 9th & any teams Essendon beat as possibly having legal claims. Imagine if Essendon manage to win the Grand Final & then are found to be guilty. How could the AFL fix that? Even if Essendon were retrospectively stripped of the Premiership it would still be very unsatisfactory.

anchorman wrote: It happened to the Storm.They were stripped of premierships.Just leaves a blank in the records.The main thing is the right outcome occurs.

I think this situation is a little different because Essendon are being investigated for possible offences now, leading up to the finals series in a few weeks. The Melbourne Storm were found guilty of salary cap breaches for the 2007, 2009 & 2010 seasons & were stripped of their 2007 & 2009 premierships. However those seasons had been completed before the Storm were caught & punished The AFL season is still in progress & I think that adds substantial complications. If Essendon do not co-operate & are found guilty after the season ends I would be interested in the eventual penalties that might be metred out & how many players may be suspended.

If they are guilty it might be better to come forward now rather than draw it out in court. I doubt the AFL & the other 17 sides would be sympathetic towards Essendon if they are guilty & draw it out.

anchorman wrote: It happened to the Storm.They were stripped of premierships.Just leaves a blank in the records.The main thing is the right outcome occurs.

A/man the Melbourne domiciled Storm in the NRL (read NSW and Queensland competition in essence) context and punishment of same is not the same as Essendon, a Melbourne domiciled team in essence a Victorian centric AFL.

swan42 wrote:

anchorman wrote: It happened to the Storm.They were stripped of premierships.Just leaves a blank in the records.The main thing is the right outcome occurs.

A/man the Melbourne domiciled Storm in the NRL (read NSW and Queensland competition in essence) context and punishment of same is not the same as Essendon, a Melbourne domiciled team in essence a Victorian centric AFL.

You love that word DOMICILED don't you Swan?
Always feel like you are trying to make some point when you use it but never know what point that is??