ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

[Sedat]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

Yes, I'm sure this 'smoking' spreadsheet that was sent to ASADA was the only copy in existence.

Also looking forward to seeing the invoices for Thymomodulin that match the mystery spreadsheet. Oh damn, the invoices are for TB4...

Hird is going the George Costanza defence...."it's not a lie, if you believe it"

[AndrewP6]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

He made an assertion that a spreadsheet containing Thymomodulin was sent by Ian Robson to ASADA, who must have destroyed it - spare me.

Bahahaha... "ASADA ate my homework". He must truly think the general public are idiots. Or he's such an idiot he doesn't realise how stupid he sounds.

[Greystache]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

After watching Hird make a fool out of himself tonight on AFL360 you can bet that's the last time we'll be hearing from him in a forum not completely controlled by Essendon. He'll be filthy at Slobbo for letting Whately ask him some genuine questions and push back for answers, rather than the little underarms he was told to expect.

[Remi Moses]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

I found it interesting that Little and Hird were lamenting that they were blindsided by WADA's announcement, believing that this issue was behind them.

They'll need to learn very quickly that they're not playing small town hick games anymore. The fact they thought they were entitled to any sort of warning provides some insight into how the AFL and ASADA managed the process to date.

Big fish in small pond .
Now tadpole in the Indian Ocean

[Remi Moses]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

After watching Hird make a fool out of himself tonight on AFL360 you can bet that's the last time we'll be hearing from him in a forum not completely controlled by Essendon. He'll be filthy at Slobbo for letting Whately ask him some genuine questions and push back for answers, rather than the little underarms he was told to expect.

Whateley had him squirming . Brilliant from Gerard
Slobbo's gotta be better as Jimsy's media adviser

[Twodogs]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

After watching Hird make a fool out of himself tonight on AFL360 you can bet that's the last time we'll be hearing from him in a forum not completely controlled by Essendon. He'll be filthy at Slobbo for letting Whately ask him some genuine questions and push back for answers, rather than the little underarms he was told to expect.

So is Robbo continuing to #standbyhird or has he turned?

[whythelongface]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

The James Hird interview on AFL360 was quite interesting - much more than the puff piece I was expecting. He made an assertion that a spreadsheet containing Thymomodulin was sent by Ian Robson to ASADA, who must have destroyed it - spare me. The AFL tribunal found that the substance in question was either TB4 or nothing. Thymomodulin was completely rejected as a viable alternative. Strike 1

Hird was also smacked down by Whateley, who had to correct Hird that the players were never cleared of taking TB4 - this question wasn't even considered by the AFL Tribunal. Strike 2

Can you believe that argument. ASADA destroyed the spread sheet.....um hello surely Essendon FC has a protocol of saving and backing up important documentation.

So Hird is in effect saying that Robson:
- went to the reception at ASADA and dropped in the spreadsheet with the signed (Essendon player) names on it;
- had no one sign the document to witness it's hand over;
- didn't get the name of the person that he handed the spread sheet to;
- didn't follow up to see if the spread sheet was received
- didn't make a copy for their own records;
- didn't scan a copy and save it on some hard drive;
- didn't provide copies to anyone at Essendon of this document;
- the person who administered the supplements didn't have a copy for their own records

wow just wow. Does any one really believe this? Seriously. That is the most dumb ass argument I have ever heard.

[whythelongface]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

The punishment of the club was required due to the damage the club caused to the game. The AFL acted appropriately within its powers.

As for the players, they are solely responsible for the position they find themselves in, and are first and foremost WADA's priority irrespective of what the AFL dished out in terms of punishments. They only have one job when it comes to what goes into their bodies, and that's completely understanding that what they put into it is legal and keeping the appropriate records to prove that it is.

They are the ones who have a legal responsibility to ensure what is administered into their bodies is not deemed an illegal substance, however I do actually feel for the players as this is was a systemic program where they put their whole faith in a team of professionals and were let down badly. I know this won't stack up in any of the findings by WADA as any form of defence and ultimately, if found guilty, will cop a harsh penalty.

This would surely have an impact on the minds of the players knowing that the world doping authority is challenging the findings.

[Greystache]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

So is Robbo continuing to #standbyhird or has he turned?

He clearly looked concerned that there may be a genuine process now rather than the standard contrived public event the AFL masquerades as legitimate, but I'm sure Essendon will continue to pay James Hird's lawyers to leak information to him so he can write his propaganda pieces.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

Exactly this. Hird is becoming, (if he wasn't already) a figure of public scorn and ridicule. What a load of bunk.

Can you believe that argument. ASADA destroyed the spread sheet.....um hello surely Essendon FC has a protocol of saving and backing up important documentation.

So Hird is in effect saying that Robson:
- went to the reception at ASADA and dropped in the spreadsheet with the signed (Essendon player) names on it;
- had no one sign the document to witness it's hand over;
- didn't get the name of the person that he handed the spread sheet to;
- didn't follow up to see if the spread sheet was received
- didn't make a copy for their own records;
- didn't scan a copy and save it on some hard drive;
- didn't provide copies to anyone at Essendon of this document;
- the person who administered the supplements didn't have a copy for their own records

wow just wow. Does any one really believe this? Seriously. That is the most dumb ass argument I have ever heard.

[Scraggers]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

Really enjoyed the Whateley interview ... genuine questions to a disingenuous coach

[Sedat]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

So is Robbo continuing to #standbyhird or has he turned?

He was still the quintessential fanboi last night. However you could almost see the flicker of light switch on above his head, with the realisation that his beloved James and the EFC are now at the mercy of international organisations who could care less about a pissant sport played in only half of one country. Shit just got serious for Hird, the club and the 34 players and even Slobbo understands this now.

[SlimPickens]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

The James Hird interview on AFL360 was quite interesting - much more than the puff piece I was expecting. He made an assertion that a spreadsheet containing Thymomodulin was sent by Ian Robson to ASADA, who must have destroyed it - spare me. The AFL tribunal found that the substance in question was either TB4 or nothing. Thymomodulin was completely rejected as a viable alternative. Strike 1

Forever throwing someone under the bus, Jimmy Boy. Or in this case reversing said bus over a rotting carcass. I think where James was adamant that what he saw was 'Fact', sums up this man best.

[Sedat]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

He clearly looked concerned that there may be a genuine process now rather than the standard contrived public event the AFL masquerades as legitimate, but I'm sure Essendon will continue to pay James Hird's lawyers to leak information to him so he can write his propaganda pieces.

Not even sure this will happen now. As we all know the media are in the AFL's pocket but they are smart enough not to back a dead horse, which is exactly what EFC smells like now that the AFL have no power or influence whatsoever on future proceedings.

Apparently Ian Robson was on SEN this morning and completely refuted Hird's story last night. Chip Le Grand, a noted pro-Hird reporter, was also on and basically rendered Hird's mystery spreadsheet story completely irrelevant.

Highlights of Robson's interview:
- refused to be pinned down on any particular document
- refused to say he ever saw that particular document
- said he handed over thousands of documents (emails, etc)
- said he resigned cos he had no idea wtf was going on

It is starting to feel like every man for themselves now that the AFL can't manufacture/influence anything.

[1eyedog]

Re: ASADA issues show-cause notices to Essendon players

Not even sure this will happen now. As we all know the media are in the AFL's pocket but they are smart enough not to back a dead horse, which is exactly what EFC smells like now that the AFL have no power or influence whatsoever on future proceedings.

Apparently Ian Robson was on SEN this morning and completely refuted Hird's story last night. Chip Le Grand, a noted pro-Hird reporter, was also on and basically rendered Hird's mystery spreadsheet story completely irrelevant.

Highlights of Robson's interview:
- refused to be pinned down on any particular document
- refused to say he ever saw that particular document
- said he handed over thousands of documents (emails, etc)
- said he resigned cos he had no idea wtf was going on

It is starting to feel like every man for themselves now that the AFL can't manufacture/influence anything.

It was a damning interview and I'm surprised he did it to be honest. The spreadsheet was supposed to have recorded every injection but it was updated and controlled by Dean Wallis who populated it with irrelevant information like how the players were responding to the program, rather than what they were taking, when they were taking it and who administered it. It's completely useless and looks for all intents and purposes like a fabricated document.

Jon Ralph earlier alluded to ASADA choosing not to appeal because the case was simply too big for them and shouldered arms for WADA to enter the fray and administer the punishment. It seems ASADA didn't want to be the bully boy who effectively tore down one of Australia's oldest and proudest club, either that, or they realised they simply do not have the resources to resolve it. Understandable considering the Abbott Government slashed ASADAs funding by 200 mill.

From how I understand it WADA will subpoena Dank et al. and even past Essendon players and put enormous pressure on them to talk. They may or may not need a whistle blower, but one thing is for sure and that is that WADA aren't going to go into this half-arsed, unlike ASADA and the AFL. ASADA always had the power to subpoena Dank et al. under new powers but never enacted on it???

This will destroy AFL careers, then we will see Essendon turn on its own with major law suits against the club. The players have been strong and united but as this drags on and on I think we'll start to see fractures between the playing group as well.

I would not be surprised to see the Essendon Football club start over again from scratch.