To be honest, I'm not overly concerned how we're perceived, but if we're gonna cop the tag, at least stand up for something.This was one journalists description of how Essendon operated:
My question is, given pretty much every media outlet, The Age/Herald Sun, SEN etc all seem to have the same opinion. Do you think they are all making it up, or do you think Essendon do truely play hardball. Sometimes its the deals that don't get done that have as much impact on how a club is perceived as the ones that do.
Do you not think there's a difference between the leverage the dogs/pies had versus what you had. Given the situation Essendon did as well as they could have. If it wasn't for other issues hanging over you're head Essendon could have sat back and told Port to up there offer to something close to GWS, or he was staying at Essendon - but even Dorodo said he was pretty sure Ryder was going to go to the grievance tribunal, and even though he said he had advice Essendon was going to win (Essendon seem to get a lot of bad advice re court cases of late) there was a sufficient chance they wouldn't for them to not be able to stand as firm as the other two clubs. Basically Essendon was dealing with Ryder as if he was out of contract because there was a chance he could walk for nothing - the others clubs didn't have that possibility.
On so many levels, I'm disappointed with how we have managed the ASADA saga.
1-Allowing it to happen & not having the proper evidence to quell any concerns of everyone involved.
2-Allowing it to play out in public eye
3-Copping the governance penalties before the entire issue had been resolved
4-Handling of the coaching situation
5-Backing down at every moment someone even hints at the issue.
Its happened. ASADA will do what they will do. AFL has already punished the club.
At some point, we need to stand on our feet again. At the very least, the players who remain and the supporters who haven't abandoned deserve a club demonstrating some strength of character
If Paddy walked for nothing, but we stood our ground on not accepting the lesser of two deals, I'd be happy with that. It would mark the first step in the right direction since 2012.