no you are kidding yourself, numerous clubs breached the cap in the 90's but only minorly and were given warnings, obviously as the cap was still relatively new and the AFL gave leeway for adjustment, however Carlton blatantly breached the cap at a material rate (blame John Elliot for that one) and deserved to be punished for what was blatant cheating. look at the Melbourne storm who lost a premiership and a whole season for doing the same thing, Carlton actually got off lightly for what they did I reckon. and in regards to Essendon, jobe Watson admitted to take aod whatever which is still not proven to be illegal and if it asada will hand down their punishments which could potentially have an impact 10 times worse than Carlton punishmentOh dear. You are kidding yourself.
The AFL just wanted to make an example out of Carlton after multiple salary cap breaches by teams in the late 80s and 90s.
Not going to get into an Essendon is guilty debate here but if Essendon truly is guilty (Jobe's admission alone makes them sound guilty), the AFL has allowed Essendon off lightly.
Ask yourself what's worse for the game's image and the game itself going forward? Cap breaches which multiple teams have done and now teams are doing it with third party stuff, or a doping program which could have effects on lives on the future?