That is revisionist nonsense. By revisionist, I mean that you are re-evaluating Hird in the light of the guilty verdict handed down to the players.
I said a very long time ago that the final outcome would be determined by legalisms (definition of burden of proof, willingness of CAS to make assumptions etc etc), and that how Hird acted, and how the players acted, should not be judged by what is the final outcome.
And it is true.
Hird did no wrong. The players did no wrong. The fact that CAS found the players guilty says a lot about the WADA code, and what WADA and CAS combined found necessary and desirable to guard against future potential drug use by a sporting team. It does NOT, in my estimation, give me cause to revise what I believe the players, and Hird, are, and that is innocent victims of a dubious, and possibly deceitful program run by Robinson and Dank.
My respect for Hird remains. I actually respect him more than I did as a player as a result of how he has conducted himself over the last 3 years.
Hird and the club are taking a break from each other because of the answer to the question that Hird asked prior to his relinquishing the coaching position, which was "Do you think that the club will ever be treated fairly while I am coach?". The answer was "No".
The general public will try to revise this to Hird leaving in disgrace. He didn't. He left because the public, the press, and the AFL made it impossible for the club to get "clean air" as long as he was still there, such was their need to blame him.
So don't include me when you say many have lost respect for him over what has happened. I think I have a very good understanding of what has happened.