Essendon under AFL investigation regarding 2012 fitness program

[LostDoggy]

Essendon just held a press conference at AFL House to announce that they've approached the AFL and ASADA to investigate their fitness program from 2012, with rumours of performance enhancing drugs and a waiver they asked their playing group to sign, (attempting) to relinquish the club of any responsibility for what the players might take under that fitness program.

I listened to the presser on SEN but nothing was really said beyond that. I found it quite interesting that they'd hold a press conference on such a huge announcement and then say nothing, but obviously their hands are tied by legal issues.

Thoughts? I know many here are going to be dancing in the streets, but in reality, it affects the integrity of the whole league, not just Essendon.

[LostDoggy]

Essendon just held a press conference at AFL House to announce that they've approached the AFL and ASADA to investigate their fitness program from 2012, with rumours of performance enhancing drugs and a waiver they asked their playing group to sign, (attempting) to relinquish the club of any responsibility for what the players might take under that fitness program.

I listened to the presser on SEN but nothing was really said beyond that. I found it quite interesting that they'd hold a press conference on such a huge announcement and then say nothing, but obviously their hands are tied by legal issues.

Thoughts? I know many here are going to be dancing in the streets, but in reality, it affects the integrity of the whole league, not just Essendon.

You're quite right.

But I'm still dancing in the streets.

Nothing trivial I trust.

If they were on drugs they ought to get new dealer because they kept getting soft tissue injuries.

[immortalmike]

Put me in for one of those dancing in the streets but one question.

How do you systematically cheat and still completely suck.?

[Ozza]

Adelaide v Essendon to kick off the 2013 season.

I guess round 1 won't be 'AFL Integrity Round'.

[Remi Moses]

My take is they thought this could be hidden away( considering it happened over 12 months back) Someone's spoken up and they've been caught out.
Battle of the cheats in round 1

[DragzLS1]

Adelaide v Essendon to kick off the 2013 season.

I guess round 1 won't be 'AFL Integrity Round'.

Haha!! Pretty confident it won't be

If true then I hope they get what they deserve

[Dry Rot]

I have read elsewhere that if they used performance enhancing drugs, the the sports drug bodies, not the AFL, will hand out suspensions.

[SonofScray]

Trying to get on the front foot because someone has been tipped off. Just another example of these 'big' clubs thinking they run the show.

Typical of that Club, salary cap meant nothing to them, no doubt the ASADA code did as well.

Best case scenario for everyone is that they fold.

[Dazza]

Pretty crazy.

Reimers was just on SEN. Seems to be the whistle blower.

[Remi Moses]

Trying to get on the front foot because someone has been tipped off. Just another example of these 'big' clubs thinking they run the show.

Typical of that Club, salary cap meant nothing to them, no doubt the ASADA code did as well.

Best case scenario for everyone is that they fold.

Heard Caroline Wilson ( yeah I know, salt grain and all that)
Reckons they threatened to sue when the journos got hold of the story 24 hrs ago.

[Bulldog4life]

http://www.sportal.com.au/afl-news-d...-pushed-220786


3AW commentator and former Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy believes the club could be banned from the AFL for up to two years if the allegations are proven to be true.

Healy also suggested some members of the club knew of the concerns surrounding the supplement use a year ago, despite officials saying they only became aware of it in the past two days.

[ratsmac]

Does this mean Jobe Watson has to hand over the Brownlow to Cotchin?????
Gee I surely hope so because that would make my day.

[Ghost Dog]

Once pinged for this, the penalty will be pretty stiff I imagine. The AFL can't do anything to protect them. It's in the hands of the Anti-doping agency. Andrew can't sweep this one under the carpet. Imagine if the Bombers were banned from the AFL.
Kind of wondered why Reamers went back to the VFL and didn't even try to nominate for the Rookie draft. Perhaps he had a plan to spill the beans all along, and didn't want to have to deal with the fallout at that level.

I always did get sick of hearing about this 'Weapon' guy. Turns out he might have to retrain.

[SonofScray]

http://www.sportal.com.au/afl-news-d...-pushed-220786


3AW commentator and former Brownlow Medalist Gerard Healy believes the club could be banned from the AFL for up to two years if the allegations are proven to be true.

Healy also suggested some members of the club knew of the concerns surrounding the supplement use a year ago, despite officials saying they only became aware of it in the past two days.

Would be amazing. I hope they have cheated and that justice runs its course. Boot them out. This Club has irreparably damaged the integrity of the game. Brought it into disrepute even.

I know the AFL only care about the perception of integrity and the impact it has on their ability to make more and more money though, so given the $$$ Essendon draw to their coffers expect this to fizzle out.

[Ghost Dog]

Would be amazing. I hope they have cheated and that justice runs its course. Boot them out. This Club has irreparably damaged the integrity of the game. Brought it into disrepute even.

I know the AFL only care about the perception of integrity and the impact it has on their ability to make more and more money though, so given the $$$ Essendon draw to their coffers expect this to fizzle out.

While the AFL is working with ASADA on the investigation, any potential punishment - severe if proven - could be out of the AFL's hands as it would be required to fall in line with ASADA policy.

Link

Policy is policy. The AFL has to sit on its hands, if true.