Current Worst Case Scenario team:
(Current 'potential best 22 irrespective' players in bold)
FB: Baguley Fletcher Hams
HB: Winderlich Gwilt Ashby
C: Cooney Z Merrett Gleeson
HF: Chappy Ambrose Aylett
FF: Kommer JD Fantasia
R: Giles, BJ, Zaka
Int: Edwards, Dalgleish, #17, Sub:#20/Raynor/McKenna
So the team will only contain two players that have never played AFL before (17+20), the average age of the team will be 23.5 years making it 'middle of the road'. It will also have an average of 87 games experience, making it 'middle of the road' for experience. It would contain only 5 tall players in key posts, with no back up should they go 'down'. It would not require anyone to play 'out of position' other than Gwilt who would take the 2nd key forward instead of 3rd key forward. BJ might have to play a key back role as sweeper to cover for the lack of tall defenders. The forward line key structure we used in the EF, of Ambrose, JD and chappy remains unchanged.
There are strong rumours that there is an unofficial 'deal' on the table that would see Six Month bans commencing (backdated to today) 17/10/2014 and extending until 17/5/2015, resulting in the players missing the first two rounds of the season and being eligible to play in Round 3 next year. The players would not be entitled to train at the club, however are permitted to train with each other as long as they are not assisted by any employee of the club. The players would be permitted to attend AFL games, but are not allowed contact with EFC officials, support staff or other athletes.
There was talk that the bans should be backdated until last September, date of last game, however ASADA have rejected that as it would mean missing no game time. The above mentioned deal is apparently 'acceptable' to ASADA. At this stage it is not clear if players would be entitled to backdated bans IF found guilty by a tribunal. There is suggestion that if they 'voluntarily' don't return to the club now.. then the bans can be back dated from the date they last trained at the club. Which was before the EF. Thus even if they were found guilty, they should return to football in March next year.
I can understand players not wanting to take deals.. and remaining committed to fighting.. but personally.. I think they should take the decision now to 'voluntarily' stand down for the next 14 days until this can be heard by a tribunal.. keep working on their fitness plans etc etc.. but that way they can go to the tribunal having a bet each way.. if that makes sense. The talk of 'accepting' ROF and going straight to AFL tribunal, is because AFL is committed to having them heard in December at the latest.. so it can start next year with clean slate. So essentially the 18 affected players 'train separately' between now and December.. and many of them don't come back officially until mid November anyway.. so it might be an option.