Revealed: Deals proposed to/by AFL, ASC et al.

[basashi]

It is pretty clear from:
- Chappy signing with the dons
- Freo taking Gumby
(etc)
...that someone, somewhere is handing out very credible sounding assurances that there will be no ASADA penalties against players.

Whoever is doing that (and don't tell me that the above two transactions took place without strong assurance) is either
- in on a deal, or
- taking a very stupid risk.

 

[I am Jack]

AFL bankrolls ASADA
John Wylie very involved in brokering a deal to make Golden boy except watered down penalties
John Wylie : Boss of the Australian Sports Commission
Australian Sports Commission : Boss of ASADA
Does anyone believe ASADA is not influenced by the AFL
The joint AFL/ASADA investigation was a farce right from the get go

Yes, it appears that the AFL actually controlled this outcome.

Now I am starting to see why the AFL didn't take Essendon to court.
And.. Furthermore why the Demons called the AFL's bluff in regards to tanking.
Simply put, the AFL do not want to go anywhere near a court room.
Why? Because they will be made accountable, it's not an outcome the AFL can control.

The AFL simply has no integrity, it's just a word Andrew bandies around to deflect from the real issues.

 

[mehow2g]

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/he...s-rebecca-wilson/story-fndv7pj3-1226774778765

Haha this one is good.

Surely if the media is making up s**t vlad you should be suing ?

 

[Keyza]

I wouldn't be so certain ASADA will come down hard. This 'deal' was something a lot of posters here predicted at the time, but all we had was speculation and that included what part ASADA were playing.

It certainly makes a mockery of the all the Bomber fans who were claiming that the AFL were targeting Essendon and punishing them for no good reason, when it was plain to see that the AFL were trying as hard as they could to make it all go away.

One thing that's interesting is the PR campaign for Hird by his old ghost writer, Robbo, which reads a lot like "We was scapegoated".

Are we suppose to forget the AFL warning Hird to steer clear of peptides in 2011, and his association with Charter as well? What about the outgoing fitness manager who stated that the coaching group had a very clear idea of how they wanted the program to run? I guess we should forget that Hird and Bomber headhunted Dank, and that he was well aware of what Dank was doing...or do we put it down as just one of those odd coincidences.

You have hit the nail on the head. The AFL all along have been trying to help Essendon, first by tipping them off about the ACC report and doing all they can to save the players and Essendon from bans.
The AFL are corrupt, an investigation is now needed and some of the commissioners must be stood down pending the outcome.

 

[AndyLucimitis]

Smiling at him would be enough for The Oaf.

Undoing a button would send him into a HirdIsGreat typing frenzy.

Tania wouldn't full honeypot that Slob in a million years.

So Tania still prefers 'Golden Balls' over 'Old and Bald' !

 

[ManWithNoName]

Everyone saying that Dons fans should be happy with Vlad because he was trying to "protect us" doesn't get it.

We never wanted to be "protected". We wanted a fair hearing. If we cheated or broke the rules, we'll cop our whack. But this whole convoluted saga now just looks corrupt from every angle and makes us look awful. If he was trying to "protect" us then he's done a bloody awful job.

 

[Sharko]

Let us assume that ASADA acts corruptly and WADA tries to reinitiate the whole process. They sent investigators to Australia. The first thing they do is request documentation and interviews. The people involved say, no bugger off.

How is WADA to force them to co-operate? They can only do so by use of Australian law, which gives ASADA the power to conduct the investigation. If ASADA is corrupt, then they are so becouse the relevent minister wants them to be. WADA gets nowhere, they have no power in Australia that the Aust government does not give them.

So they sit in a hotel room wasting their time until the pollies have changed and the new government wants to rubbish the old government. Unless they were all involved, in which case it never is reopened.

The problem Baldrick, is that you are describing a situation where the horse has bolted. If ASADA is ruled to have acted corruptly by WADA, the hue and cry will be something to behold. Demetriou et al will all lose their jobs and there will be blood everywhere. There will be no room to stonewall and cover up in the eyes of the public, they will have been tumbled.

By way of analogy, look at Christopher Pyne's stellar performance in recent weeks. He thought he could say whatever he wanted and back out on gonski after telling the people that he was running on a unity ticket on this issue. That didn't work out too well for him did it. Yes people are stupid, but eventually even stupid people cotton on if you screw up badly enough.

 

[I Rock]

Everyone saying that Dons fans should be happy with Vlad because he was trying to "protect us" doesn't get it.

We never wanted to be "protected". We wanted a fair hearing. If we cheated or broke the rules, we'll cop our whack. But this whole convoluted saga now just looks corrupt from every angle and makes us look awful. If he was trying to "protect" us then he's done a bloody awful job.

If not for the ACC investigation then all this would be rumour and speculation and Essendon would have owed the AFL & AD a huge debt of gratitude. Once the ACC report came out it's been about minimising the damage whilst trying to save your own neck.

 

[mehow2g]

Where is mxett I mean James hird ?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The funniest thing in this whole saga is the Essendon fans who think that Demetriou has been out to get the Bombers.

The bloke has done everything in his power to lessen the impact on the Bombers. Be it telling Evans that the club is under investigation and should self report, to suggesting that Hird step down whilst the investigation was ongoing.

But to Bomber eyes he has some plot to bring the club down, why for what end?

His abundant intention from the beginning has been to protect himself and the league executive.

Sometimes those interests have intersected with those of the Bombers - sometimes, as with Hird, that very much hasn't been the case. He's more than happy to throw Hird under the bus.

You're pretty thick if you beleive he gives the slightest s**t about EFC or it's people (or any other single club for that matter), other than how and where they can serve him and the league.

 

[I Rock]

Where is mxett I mean James hird ?

Getting contract law advice from BSE....

 

[UpTheGuts]

It is crystal clear to me that Essendon supporters don't want to be told anything they don't want to hear. They appear to adhere to the mantra "if we don't know about it, it didn't happen". I would imagine their AGM would be a mind numbing affair with questions comprising nothing but dorothy dixers.

Then again, you never know. It only takes one rogue fan.

Surely they can find one...

Though I fear it will just be a farce, followed by some ritual burning of AD effigies/ rule books etc.

 

[Shane Mead]

How are people spinning this that the AFL were trying to help Essendon?

The AFL wants to stay out of court and they wanted to wait as long as possible to strike so people would watch and pay to see Essendon games. Ticket sales and ratings would have sunk if they tried to whack us at round 6 for example.

The AFL was do desperate to keep the details under wraps and out of court they were willing to PAY James Hird to study.

The AFL never wanted a court case where they couldn't control the information in the public domain. The AFL is a political party, they are better at politics than they are at running a sport. The AFL is successful because it is a big fish in a small pond, it continues to generate revenue when the rules are screwed, the fixture is screwed, the tribunal is screwed.

The AFL will be better off when this entire regime is shipped out. Vlade has been lying to us, treating us like dummies (most of you are dummies) ever since the tanking talk started.

 

[ManWithNoName]

If not for the ACC investigation then all this would be rumour and speculation and Essendon would have owed the AFL & AD a huge debt of gratitude. Once the ACC report came out it's been about minimising the damage whilst trying to save your own neck.

What would we owe them gratitude for exactly?

 

[mehow2g]

His abundant intention from the beginning has been to protect himself and the league executive.

Sometimes those interests have intersected with those of the Bombers - sometimes, as with Hird, that very much hasn't been the case. He's more than happy to throw Hird under the bus.

You're pretty thick if you beleive he gives the slightest s**t about EFC or it's people (or any other single club for that matter), other than how and where they can serve him and the league.

Wrong EFC make money lots of money it's actually one of the biggest clubs, AFL likes money.

 

[TerryWallet]

Everyone saying that Dons fans should be happy with Vlad because he was trying to "protect us" doesn't get it.

We never wanted to be "protected". We wanted a fair hearing. If we cheated or broke the rules, we'll cop our whack. But this whole convoluted saga now just looks corrupt from every angle and makes us look awful. If he was trying to "protect" us then he's done a bloody awful job.

Appreciate this post.

And that is exactly why the Members need to be vocal and support change at the AGM.

Vlad had partners in this disgraceful saga and cover up attempt. And they are EFC people who had reputations to lose because they got caught cheating.

EFC members need to make it known that EFC is not an egotistical plaything for corrupt deals.

EFC exists for the Members enjoyment.

 

[Keyza]

His abundant intention from the beginning has been to protect himself and the league executive.

Sometimes those interests have intersected with those of the Bombers - sometimes, as with Hird, that very much hasn't been the case. He's more than happy to throw Hird under the bus.

You're pretty thick if you beleive he gives the slightest s**t about EFC or it's people (or any other single club for that matter), other than how and where they can serve him and the league.

All along Vlad has been trying to protect the TV rights deal. He stated months ago that there must be 18 teams and 9 games a week as part of the deal. If ASADA gives the club a ban, as it can do, then what happens?
Its all about money, he doesnt give a stuff about the integrity of the game.

 

[I Rock]

What would we owe them gratitude for exactly?

Not going to ASADA when they first found out about Essendon's "supplement" program like they are duty bound too..... not going to the AFLPA about Essendon's player welfare and workplace health & safety for another....

They list is fairly long but I'm sure you are getting the picture.

 

[Baldur]

Wrong EFC make money lots of money it's actually one of the biggest clubs, AFL likes money.

No he is mostly right

Vald does not care about Essendon, just their money. If the Bulldogs had this issue, they would have been thrown under the bus.

The bit he gets wrong is the common delusion that what is good for Hird is good for Essendon. In fact Essendon would be better off blaming everything on Hird and washing their hands of him. But they cannot see that.

 

[Gavstar]

http://www.ausport.gov.au/about/publications/annual_reports/annual_report_2012-2013/chairs_message

"ASADA’s investigations are vital to ensuring the integrity of our sporting system. The length of the investigations is understandably frustrating; however, it is essential that all processes are thorough, fair and accurate. While threats to integrity in sport must always be taken seriously, I believe these are isolated issues which are not endemic to Australian sport. Australians can have confidence that the values for which our sports men and women have long been respected around the world — a burning desire to win within the boundaries of honesty and good sportsmanship — remain intact"

The same Chair was involved in negotiations to ensure that no EFC players were sanction if Hird accepted the "deal". How could he guarantee this while ensuring the above occurred?

I would think the chances of an investigation into Wylie's conduct are pretty high and a delay to any findings on EFC would also be certain. It could be now questioned if infractions were issued because Hirdy didn't accept the deal did Wylie have any influence on the decision process since apparently he could influence enough to kill it.

 

[I Rock]

No he is mostly right

Vald does not care about Essendon, just their money. If the Bulldogs had this issue, they would have been thrown under the bus.

The bit he gets wrong is the common delusion that what is good for Hird is good for Essendon. In fact Essendon would be better off blaming everything on Hird and washing their hands of him. But they cannot see that.

Add to that Essendon's approach to take the help (all be it for whatever reason the AFL has) from the AFL, yet expose the AFL's backroom policy when they aren't getting there own way.

 

[bkozican]

well who saw that coming .

the AFL went about it all wrong from the start

 

[Bunk Moreland]

All along Vlad has been trying to protect the TV rights deal. He stated months ago that there must be 18 teams and 9 games a week as part of the deal. If ASADA gives the club a ban, as it can do, then what happens?
Its all about money, he doesnt give a stuff about the integrity of the game.

ASADA CANNOT INFLICT A CLUB BASED PUNISHMENT ON AN AFL CLUB

HOW MANY TIMES

 

[Lance Uppercut]

It is crystal clear to me that Essendon supporters don't want to be told anything they don't want to hear. They appear to adhere to the mantra "if we don't know about it, it didn't happen". I would imagine their AGM would be a mind numbing affair with questions comprising nothing but dorothy dixers.

Then again, you never know. It only takes one rogue fan.

Surely they can find one...

Though I fear it will just be a farce, followed by some ritual burning of AD effigies/ rule books etc.

Appreciate this post.

And that is exactly why the Members need to be vocal and support change at the AGM.

Vlad had partners in this disgraceful saga and cover up attempt. And they are EFC people who had reputations to lose because they got caught cheating.

EFC members need to make it known that EFC is not an egotistical plaything for corrupt deals.

EFC exists for the Members enjoyment.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threa...gm-strictly-essendon-supporters-only.1038109/

Don't post there though

 

[Old Campaigner]

The funniest thing in this whole saga is the Essendon fans who think that Demetriou has been out to get the Bombers.

The bloke has done everything in his power to lessen the impact on the Bombers. Be it telling Evans that the club is under investigation and should self report, to suggesting that Hird step down whilst the investigation was ongoing.

But to Bomber eyes he has some plot to bring the club down, why for what end?

He might have had the club's best interests at heart at the beginning of this saga when it looked like half the list could be banned for two years; however as time went on and it became likely that wouldn't happen it became more about protecting the AFL brand and less about Essendon. In the end the AFL showed thinly veiled contempt for the reputation of Essendon, it's staff, players and fans. It was just about getting a scapegoat to make the AFL look like it had done the right thing.

Every Essendon fan I know would have much preferred to have gone through this without the AFL's 'assistance', now it looks like a cover-up has taken place, there is no chance for the club, staff or players to clear their names and potentially there are 44 drug cheats running around the AFL scott free. Nobody won from this deal except the AFL and people here should be outraged that it was allowed to take place.

It is pretty clear from:
- Chappy signing with the dons
- Freo taking Gumby
(etc)
...that someone, somewhere is handing out very credible sounding assurances that there will be no ASADA penalties against players.

Whoever is doing that (and don't tell me that the above two transactions took place without strong assurance) is either
- in on a deal, or
- taking a very stupid risk.

I think the AFL has been giving these assurances. Early on in the season there was talk of Essendon sponsors being worried and they got a call from Demetriou which convinced them to stay on. There is no way the Dogs would have traded pick 26 for a guy who could potentially miss 2 years due to a drug ban. Gumby was less of a risk because it was pick 55 and only a 1 year contract. The new sponsor was also informed of the status of the inquiry, and presumably what they heard convinced them that there were no issues or they wouldn't have signed up.