I know that this is a Richmond site, but l'm keen to know what others views are of the situation. I have found myself wanting this filthy club to tinker on the border of extinction, purely out of my hatred for the club. The have allegedly cheated. They have been completely arrogant about the situation. Lied. Told mis-truths. They even have a pretty boy coach who you would love to smack in the mouth. You cant help but want to lay a boot into them.
But l cant help but feel for everyone in this sorry state of affairs. Its a weird situation, as a Richmond supporter who has been walked over for years, getting back at someone for possibly cheating their way to the top disgusts me and would normally fill me with glee But the way its going, the scandal is going to ruin peoples lives - inside and outside of Essendon.
I want to hate Essendon, not because of their reputation as druggies, but to hate them because they are our arch rivals. I dont want their players to be banned, l dont want them to be kicked out of the 8 and nor do l want a situation put into football oblivion because it takes them 10 years to rebuild.
The best outcome for football is that they are cleared of taking performance enhancing drugs. But the AFL punishes them for their administration and malpractice. I really feel for Essendon supporters and the players families. How will they ever manage to overcome the tainted scar this will leave on everyone at the club? Never. So many people will be lost to football out of this - some quite rightly - but the pain that many will bear as a result of this, the penalty wont match the crime.
If WADA applies a consistent ruling, then apply it. But anything other, l want any punishment to be in line with making sure the football world can look back with comfort that a right, balanced and fair decision was made, without ruining a club, no matter how poorly they have acted. This saga has gone on way too long and its making me feel sick what is about to come. There is no way out for anyone, the pitiful media have destroyed the careers of many, even before a decision has been made.
Discuss - comfortable with the '* em' responses, but put yourself in the shoes of a 10 year old bombers supporter, or the parents of a draftee coming into the club, or even a Fitzroy supporter - going through a situation where your football club is completely pointed at. Our game is better than that to want them get the treatment they are getting. I'll still hate the campaigners as much as anyone.
But l cant help but feel for everyone in this sorry state of affairs. Its a weird situation, as a Richmond supporter who has been walked over for years, getting back at someone for possibly cheating their way to the top disgusts me and would normally fill me with glee But the way its going, the scandal is going to ruin peoples lives - inside and outside of Essendon.
I want to hate Essendon, not because of their reputation as druggies, but to hate them because they are our arch rivals. I dont want their players to be banned, l dont want them to be kicked out of the 8 and nor do l want a situation put into football oblivion because it takes them 10 years to rebuild.
The best outcome for football is that they are cleared of taking performance enhancing drugs. But the AFL punishes them for their administration and malpractice. I really feel for Essendon supporters and the players families. How will they ever manage to overcome the tainted scar this will leave on everyone at the club? Never. So many people will be lost to football out of this - some quite rightly - but the pain that many will bear as a result of this, the penalty wont match the crime.
If WADA applies a consistent ruling, then apply it. But anything other, l want any punishment to be in line with making sure the football world can look back with comfort that a right, balanced and fair decision was made, without ruining a club, no matter how poorly they have acted. This saga has gone on way too long and its making me feel sick what is about to come. There is no way out for anyone, the pitiful media have destroyed the careers of many, even before a decision has been made.
Discuss - comfortable with the '* em' responses, but put yourself in the shoes of a 10 year old bombers supporter, or the parents of a draftee coming into the club, or even a Fitzroy supporter - going through a situation where your football club is completely pointed at. Our game is better than that to want them get the treatment they are getting. I'll still hate the campaigners as much as anyone.
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