SALADA/VladFL: Slap on the wrist. - STRICTLY ESSENDON SUPPORTERS ONLY

[Harlequin]

So what about Dean Robinson? He gets off scot free.

 

[Yoda_]

Posted at 2:04pm. nailed it again sadly

Don't worry guys.. stay calm. Still a long long way to go yet. and the PLAYERS ARE CLEARED. Our club WILL survive this. No Onfield advantage was gained (ie NO infraction notices) and therefore points will NOT be stripped.

And reporting that the AFL was virtually being held to ransom by us that led to the report held off to now.!

At least AFL360 have sidelined Fatpatrick and subbed in Eddie who has a reasonable view of things.

 

[The Jet]

Essendon Chairman Paul Little has released the following statement:

Essendon Football Club confirms it and four Club employees – James Hird, Mark Thompson, Danny Corcoran and Dr Bruce Reid – have received notice from the AFL that they have been charged under AFL Rule 1.6.

Now that charges have been laid, the Club and individuals involved are in a far better position to focus on understanding the specific nature of the allegations and the evidence upon which the AFL has relied to lay the charges.

Essendon takes these matters very seriously. They are based on assertions contained in an interim report from ASADA and will be vigorously defended.

These are very complex matters and whilst the Essendon Football Club is determined to resolve them expeditiously, that cannot be at the expense of thoroughness and due process that affords all parties natural justice to ensure a fair outcome.

Essendon welcomes the news that no infraction notices have been issued against any of its players and the AFL’s statement that, on current evidence, no notices will be issued.

Throughout this process, our prime consideration has been the welfare of our players. We have maintained that no player has taken a performance enhancing substance and that there was no breach of the AFL’s anti-doping code. We stand by this and thank our players and their families for the way they have conducted themselves during what have been emotionally taxing times.

Since the Club first raised its concerns with the AFL and proactively invited ASADA to investigate these matters, we have co-operated fully with all enquiries.

It is also important to be very clear that there is no doubt the Club and individuals have made mistakes and that our governance and people management had significant gaps.

Over recent months, we have also implemented fundamental reforms of our internal governance practices and procedures, including reform of our HR and employee recruitment policies, medical protocols and lines of responsibility and accountability. The Club has been assisted in this task by appropriate independent experts.

Given the Club’s assessment of the charges it is appropriate that the four individuals continue to perform their roles within our reformed governance structure. To do otherwise before these matters are finalised would be to effectively impose a penalty in advance of a fair hearing and represent a denial of natural justice.

The Club notes that the AFL does not intend to make further comment at this time and neither will the Essendon Football Club or the charged individuals.

 

[PeaTea]

Dis gon' be guuuuud.

 

[Darealrath]

Didn't like what I thought was an implied threat from the AFL that they will go after players if we don't roll over, but maybe I'm reading too much into it.

 

[VelvetSledge]

No players banned. We're cleared from this whole "drug cheat" thing.

 

[Old Campaigner]

This bit is interesting

Given the Club’s assessment of the charges it is appropriate that the four individuals continue to perform their roles within our reformed governance structure. To do otherwise before these matters are finalised would be to effectively impose a penalty in advance of a fair hearing and represent a denial of natural justice.

If we assume that the club has been even handed in it's dealings with all their staff Robinson must have really ****ed up.

 

[Debating Society]

Players cleared **** YES!!!

Completely ridiculous statement; the investigation of substances has not yet finished so they simply cannot make a call on that yet. Don't count your chickens.

 

[Matthew_Lloyd]

......so does this mean Carlton are still the biggest cheats in AFL history?

 

[jeffs]

Little is about to unleash his men onto the AFL

A very "connected" little man he is. Emphasis on "connected".

 

[ManWithNoName]

The game this week is going to be one of the most firey I can remember. Bring in Nat Rat. We need a hit man.

 

[silk]

My feelings and nothing else.

The reason the investigation is still open is so that the AFL have something to hold over our heads should we try to fight these charges. I also think they only charged Reid and Thompson so that they can bring Hird down. i.e. "Take the fall Hirdy and everyone else gets off."

Reminds me of a moment in band of brothers, where Sobel tried to manipulate Winters for showing him up.

 

[raskolnikov]

We're cleared from this whole "drug cheat" thing.

Won't stop the nuffies on the main board.

 

[rines]

Well it pretty much went as expected.

Step 1: Clear players
Step 2: Clear coaches
Step 3: Accept fine for poor governance
Step 4: Play finals
Step 5: Win Premiership.

Everything still on track.

 

[Old Campaigner]

No players banned. We're cleared from this whole "drug cheat" thing.

On current evidence. So they'd have to find something incriminating on Dank to issue infractions. Unless they have other, non-Dank related lines of inquiry they can still pursue. I guess now they'll start negotiating what the penalties for Hird, Thompson Corcoran and Reid will be.

 

[GandalfTheDon]

Well it pretty much went as expected.

Step 1: Clear players
Step 2: Clear coaches
Step 3: Accept fine for poor governance
Step 4: Play finals
Step 5: Win Premiership.

Everything still on track.

Any info as to whether the four mentioned are definitely safe?

 

[gO_bOmBeRz]

Nothing is going to change in the space of 2 weeks regarding the players. They will get off without a scratch.

 

[simoro1]

Well it pretty much went as expected.

Step 1: Clear players
Step 2: Clear coaches
Step 3: Accept fine for poor governance
Step 4: Play finals
Step 5: Win Premiership.

Everything still on track.

how confident are you the coaches will be cleared?

 

[VelvetSledge]

On current evidence. So they'd have to find something incriminating on Dank to issue infractions. Unless they have other, non-Dank related lines of inquiry they can still pursue. I guess now they'll start negotiating what the penalties for Hird, Thompson Corcoran and Reid will be.

You'd think that after 6 months that they'd have found something incriminating.

 

[dnbassador]

**** Yes!

 

[rines]

OK.. so now the whole 'drug' issue should get off the table.

It now becomes about a bad stink.. a vibe if you will... Adelaide and Melbourne know about that kind of stuff...

Why oh why did we invite this shit on ourselves..

I think the club will ask for more time to defend the charges.. AFL will deny... Club will lodge injunction at court.. solution will be nutted out..

Think of the positive.. now those four guys get to officially CLEAR their names..

WE ARE ESSENDON

 

[The Speaker]

HTB full of people going "no! it can't be! it's unpossible!".

 

[Jobe Watson]

Dank won't talk. ASADA won't suddenly find any evidence they didn't find in the 6 months they were going through Windy Hill with a fine tooth comb. Players are as good as clear.

Is it also to be assumed that Hird won't be copping that lifetime ban for breaking the coaches code of conduct and the AFL Anti-Doping Code by apparently being injected with hexeralin? Surely our mate Roary Cahill didn't get that wrong did he?

 

[VelvetSledge]

 

[Summer Nights]

So if the charges don't stick, by definition that would mean that the AFL Commission has brought their own game into disrepute, wouldn't it?