ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

[hujsh]

Look as soon as he gets there he'll be able to clear it all up. He's just been busy is all. Sometimes things come up and you don't have time to clear your name and remove your lifetime ban.

[Bulldog4life]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...14-gtb3pr.html

Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin have their 2012 Brownlow Medals. Jobe, it's time to hand yours back.

Tuesday's Brownlow Medal ceremony was well handled with two truly wonderful footballers anointed as the new medallists for 2012. It brings closure to a delicate issue. Or does it?

There remains one distinctly awkward and uncomfortable aspect: where is Jobe Watson's medal?

The AFL doesn't have it.

Essendon say they don't want to know where it is.

Watson himself is telling people he's unsure of its exact location.

Why the mystery? This is a situation that could have quickly and simply been resolved.

Some of the biggest figures in the AFL — including chief executive Gillon McLachlan — say they can't understand why the whereabouts of the original medal is an issue.

In fact, the AFL is adamant that the location of the medal is of no interest to it.

Early last month, Watson made the AFL Commission's decision a lot easier, when he released a statement relinquishing the medal – a response to the 12-month ban handed to 34 past and present Essendon players who participated in the 2012 supplements saga.

In the November statement, he said: "It is with mixed emotions that I have decided to hand back my 2012 Brownlow Medal."

That's pretty specific. Yet that has not happened.

The medal has not been handed back, nor has there been a request for it to be returned.

The national empathy and compassion afforded Watson is completely justified.

He has been the face of the playing group that has been at the centre of the biggest doping scandal in Australian sport.

He has displayed tremendous leadership and courage during a time when many have shown ineptitude and spinelessness.

The fact that Watson has been stripped of the greatest individual honour in football is a blight on the people and the football club that allowed it to happen.

Stephen Dank, James Hird, Dean Robinson and others should never get over the fact that their irresponsible and abhorrent behaviour has not only irreparably damaged the lives of 34 young men, but it has also robbed a club legend of his Brownlow.

But the fact remains – he is now no longer a Brownlow medallist and as such he should no longer be in possession of the medal itself.

It would appear that the belief at AFL headquarters is that for them to ask for it back — given what Watson has been through — would be heartless.

But after Watson decided – in his own words – to "hand it back" and the commission unanimously voted to give medals to runners-up Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin, the medal should have been returned.

The fact that there are now three 2012 Brownlow Medals in circulation is a testament to the sheer absurdity of the situation.

If anything, Watson's ongoing possession of the medal only adds lingering discomfort to the scandal.

While the AFL, under McLachlan, is understandably sympathetic to Watson's situation, there is still lingering resentment from some people at Essendon that the botched joint investigation between the AFL and ASADA backed the players into a corner.

The AFL Tribunal then found there was not enough evidence to prove that the 34 players were injected with the banned drug thymosin Beta-4, which was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after WADA intervened.

It goes without saying that these players have been to hell and back.

The view is that the players have been through more than enough. To actually ask Watson to give the medal back would be cruel.

Nevertheless, the history books will show that the winners of the 2012 Brownlow Medal were Mitchell and Cotchin, not Watson.

For the absolute integrity of the game, that should be reflected in the number of players who have the medal in their possession.

[Twodogs]

Maybe he lost it in a poker game?

[bulldogtragic]

So if the NRL was asked where Storm's premiership trophy (the taken back one) was and they said, "NFI" the media would be all over it.

Maybe Jobe has it framed on his wall and will tweet photos of himself sitting in front of it ala Lance Armstrong and his yellow jerseys.

[AndrewP6]

He should be suspended until such time he actually hands it back. Disgraceful show of disrespect to the award, if he legitimately doesn't know where it is. Sick of him and that whole club.

[1eyedog]

It will be on eBay as soon as he retires.

[KT31]

Same spot as Talias phone ?

[bulldogtragic]

Same spot as Talias phone ?

Maybe it's like the Bermuda Triangle.

'The AFEL Triangle'

[Greystache]

My understanding is Watson didn't keep any records of where he kept the medal. He can't tell us where it is but he can definitely say that it isn't lost.

Essendon likewise say they have no record of where the medal is but they know it's safe, they just don't know where it is or that it's safe.

Mark Robinson says Essendon is the victim in this because they know exactly where the medal is but the AFL won't give them a chance to tell them.

And James Hird says he's never seen the Brownlow, doesn't know what it is, and he's shocked to be asked.

[jeemak]

The twerpishness of this twerp is pretty funny.

This is a guy who was advocating a sit-down by the players as a protest two or three years ago.

[Twodogs]

The twerpishness of this twerp is pretty funny.

This is a guy who was advocating a sit-down by the players as a protest two or three years ago.

Yep. We were the opponents they thought might join in. Until someone asked Matty Boyd if we'd be doing it too.

[Bulldog Joe]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-new...14-gtb3pr.html

The national empathy and compassion afforded Watson is completely justified.

He has been the face of the playing group that has been at the centre of the biggest doping scandal in Australian sport.

He has displayed tremendous leadership and courage during a time when many have shown ineptitude and spinelessness.

The fact that Watson has been stripped of the greatest individual honour in football is a blight on the people and the football club that allowed it to happen.

Stephen Dank, James Hird, Dean Robinson and others should never get over the fact that their irresponsible and abhorrent behaviour has not only irreparably damaged the lives of 34 young men, but it has also robbed a club legend of his Brownlow.

Sorry there is no empathy from me.

Watson has not been robbed of his Brownlow. He did not deserve one because he was involved in an illegal doping program.

If he deserved a Brownlow, he could have won one before he got on the juice.

If he had truly shown leadership he would have refused to take part in the needle program and informed the club doctor and others of the concerns he should have had.

[LostDoggy]

Sorry there is no empathy from me.

Watson has not been robbed of his Brownlow. He did not deserve one because he was involved in an illegal doping program.

If he deserved a Brownlow, he could have won one before he got on the juice.

If he had truly shown leadership he would have refused to take part in the needle program and informed the club doctor and others of the concerns he should have had.

Absolutely 100% agree with you BJ.

[Bulldog4life]

It will be on eBay as soon as he retires.

And worth more than the real brownlow medals

[bornadog]

More and more will eventually come out.

story below

AFL CEO Gill McLachlan comfortable with handling of Essendon drugs saga after release of explosive secret tape recording