OFF SEASON SCANDAL THREAD

[Hinequarters]

MAYBE if they dangled a blonde in front he might have fared a little better.​

Told him there was a bikini contest waiting at the end.​

Instead, the Sydney Swans were happy to let Lance Franklin, who goes by the alter ago Buddy, take his place at the back of his running group as he starts the long haul back to full fitness.​

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/sydney-star-lance-franklin-returns-to-training/story-fndv8ujy-1226773660257

 

[Hinequarters]

THE Gold Coast Suns' dust-up in a trendy Los Angeles nightclub has attracted international attention.​

Suns management have yet to decide the fate of Campbell Brown, but leading US site Deadspin has suggested the controversial defender is facing an enforced retirement.​

 

[Tbone McGraw]

I have little doubt the Suns will force Brown to retire. The AFL will support one of their favourite babies. Brown will probably get his full salary for the year and won't be included in the salary cap.

This will mean Suns can front load contracts so win for them. Brown is past it and would be no real use for them tothis year unless they need a sniper.

 

[Hinequarters]

Well I'm glad everything was open and above board ​

​

Secret documents and a bombshell email have lifted the lid on behind-the-scenes inducements offered to Essendon and James Hird as the AFL worked frantically to pressure him to accept drugs scandal penalties.​

​

The Herald Sun reveals that days before the August 26-27 AFL Commission hearing was due to consider penalties, deals were being proposed by Australia's top government-appointed sports official, John Wylie.​

​

A document emailed by Wylie to Essendon chairman Paul Little on the night of August 23 outlined potential settlement terms as the crisis threatened to spill into the Supreme Court.​

​

Wylie, the Australian Sports Commission chairman, suggests: "Hird as senior coach takes responsibility for the inadequate governance and oversight within the club's football department that gave rise to this situation.​

​

Wylie said last night: "I was requested by both Paul Little and (AFL Commission chairman) Mike Fitzpatrick, in the first instance by Paul, to assist in communications between the AFL and Essendon at a time when direct communication between them was difficult."​

​

League spokesman James Tonkin said last night: "Numerous discussions took place at different levels in a bid to resolve the matter as quickly and appropriately as possible."​

​

An offer to allow Hird to receive a full salary while serving a 12-month ban was also discussed.​

​

The document presented to the Essendon coach reads: "Charge of bringing game into disrepute dropped. 12 months suspension starting now.''​

​

It states Hird could also keep his place in the AFL Hall of Fame and be "acknowledged by the AFL as a legend of the game".​

​

In exchange for the offers, the document says Hird therefore "withdraws all legal action immediately'' .​

​

A string of revelations to be published in the Herald Sun and The Australian over the coming days raises major perception issues surrounding the integrity and the outcome of both the drugs probe and the AFL Commission hearing.​

​

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou said on August 7: "To suggest the AFL Commission and the people on the commission would somehow predetermine an outcome is offensive and just plain wrong.''​

​

It is not known if all AFL commissioners were aware of Wylie's involvement or of proposed inducements at the time they were asked to sign off on the final resolution against Essendon and its four officials on August 27.​

​

Little last night confirmed the talks with Wylie. He said: "John Wylie is a longstanding personal friend and we discussed possible strategies for settling the dispute.''​

​

Hird is understood to have rebuffed the inducements put on the table on August 23, only to accept a 12-month suspension four days later under fierce pressure and fearing that he would be banished from the game and his club.​

​

There were also discussions about sending Hird to Oxford University in England, where both Wylie and Fitzpatrick are Rhodes scholars.​

​

Hird later independently applied to attend the exclusive Fontainebleau business school in France, passing an entrance exam in Singapore. He has just returned from his $120,000 MBA studies.​

​

Sources have questioned why Wylie as chairman of the Sports Commission - which works with the Australian Sports and Anti-Doping Authority to fight drug cheating and which promotes integrity in sport - was drafted into pre-hearing bartering with the approval of AFL Commission chairman Fitzpatrick.​

​

Proposed penalties for Mark Thompson, Bruce Reid and Danny Corcoran are also stated in correspondence, with Thompson cleared to coach again in 2014.​

​

A club fine of $1.5 million and the deduction of 12 premiership points "so as to miss the finals" are also documented. The club was ultimately fined $2 million and relegated to ninth on the AFL ladder.​

​

Hird and Fitzpatrick did not return questions from the Herald Sun.​

​

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afls-behindthescenes-tactics-in-essendon-punishment-talks-exposed/story-fni5f6kv-1226774538768​

 

[Smokeyr67]

The only reason he chose the swans over GWS was Jesinta Campbell... Will be interesting to see how he reacts if they ever split

10 mullion dollars and an A grade hottie?

Offer me that and I'll move to Haiti in hurricane season.

 

[Reykjavik]

Well I'm glad everything was open and above board ​

​

Secret documents and a bombshell email have lifted the lid on behind-the-scenes inducements offered to Essendon and James Hird as the AFL worked frantically to pressure him to accept drugs scandal penalties.​

​

The Herald Sun reveals that days before the August 26-27 AFL Commission hearing was due to consider penalties, deals were being proposed by Australia's top government-appointed sports official, John Wylie.​

​

A document emailed by Wylie to Essendon chairman Paul Little on the night of August 23 outlined potential settlement terms as the crisis threatened to spill into the Supreme Court.​

​

Wylie, the Australian Sports Commission chairman, suggests: "Hird as senior coach takes responsibility for the inadequate governance and oversight within the club's football department that gave rise to this situation.​

​

Wylie said last night: "I was requested by both Paul Little and (AFL Commission chairman) Mike Fitzpatrick, in the first instance by Paul, to assist in communications between the AFL and Essendon at a time when direct communication between them was difficult."​

​

League spokesman James Tonkin said last night: "Numerous discussions took place at different levels in a bid to resolve the matter as quickly and appropriately as possible."​

​

An offer to allow Hird to receive a full salary while serving a 12-month ban was also discussed.​

​

The document presented to the Essendon coach reads: "Charge of bringing game into disrepute dropped. 12 months suspension starting now.''​

​

It states Hird could also keep his place in the AFL Hall of Fame and be "acknowledged by the AFL as a legend of the game".​

​

In exchange for the offers, the document says Hird therefore "withdraws all legal action immediately'' .​

​

A string of revelations to be published in the Herald Sun and The Australian over the coming days raises major perception issues surrounding the integrity and the outcome of both the drugs probe and the AFL Commission hearing.​

​

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou said on August 7: "To suggest the AFL Commission and the people on the commission would somehow predetermine an outcome is offensive and just plain wrong.''​

​

It is not known if all AFL commissioners were aware of Wylie's involvement or of proposed inducements at the time they were asked to sign off on the final resolution against Essendon and its four officials on August 27.​

​

Little last night confirmed the talks with Wylie. He said: "John Wylie is a longstanding personal friend and we discussed possible strategies for settling the dispute.''​

​

Hird is understood to have rebuffed the inducements put on the table on August 23, only to accept a 12-month suspension four days later under fierce pressure and fearing that he would be banished from the game and his club.​

​

There were also discussions about sending Hird to Oxford University in England, where both Wylie and Fitzpatrick are Rhodes scholars.​

​

Hird later independently applied to attend the exclusive Fontainebleau business school in France, passing an entrance exam in Singapore. He has just returned from his $120,000 MBA studies.​

​

Sources have questioned why Wylie as chairman of the Sports Commission - which works with the Australian Sports and Anti-Doping Authority to fight drug cheating and which promotes integrity in sport - was drafted into pre-hearing bartering with the approval of AFL Commission chairman Fitzpatrick.​

​

Proposed penalties for Mark Thompson, Bruce Reid and Danny Corcoran are also stated in correspondence, with Thompson cleared to coach again in 2014.​

​

A club fine of $1.5 million and the deduction of 12 premiership points "so as to miss the finals" are also documented. The club was ultimately fined $2 million and relegated to ninth on the AFL ladder.​

​

Hird and Fitzpatrick did not return questions from the Herald Sun.​

​

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afls-behindthescenes-tactics-in-essendon-punishment-talks-exposed/story-fni5f6kv-1226774538768​

I wish at least some of that was a surprise, but frankly its merely as expected. The fix was always in through multiple channels.

There are days that it feels like WWE has more integrity.

 

[doodles98]

been a disappointing scandal season so far.... boys need to lift their game!

 

[Hinequarters]

been a disappointing scandal season so far.... boys need to lift their game!

Saints and Bombers are doing their bit as always.. but Carlton has really let us down so far

 

[Lord Wilberforce]

Saints and Bombers are doing their bit as always.. but Carlton has really let us down so far

They're just warming up:

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/belatedly-blues-lose-defender-20131203-2youi.html

 

[mattys123]

Brown sacked by the Suns, no shock there;

AFL: Due to recent events the @GoldCoastSUNS have parted ways with Campbell Brown. Watch: http://t.co/I8UdKjnWnl http://t.co/9ND3PoqRpW

 

[eddiebankbalance]

Brown sacked by the Suns, no shock there;

Meat head!

 

[Hinequarters]

AUSTRALIAN Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigators have been accused of "celebrating" the resignation of Essendon chief executive Ian Robson.

A club psychologist says he witnessed the "highly unprofessional and concerning" behaviour during ASADA interview sessions with Essendon's players at Etihad Stadium on May 23.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/as...essendon-clubman/story-fndv8gad-1226775406653

 

[Hinequarters]

JAMES Hird is continuing to be paid through Essendon, despite AFL chief Andrew Demetriou's insistence that the Bombers are banned from paying him.

The contradiction threatens to undermine the credibility of the AFL Commission resolution on the Essendon saga.

And Sports Minister Peter Dutton has issued a "please explain" regarding government-appointed Australian Sports Commission chairman John Wylie's role in secret negotiations before Essendon's penalties hearing.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/ja...paid-by-essendon/story-fndv8gad-1226775426422

 

[Hinequarters]

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has delivered a sobering warning to Essendon's players, declaring they could still be hit with infraction notices as a result of the club's controversial supplements program.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-chief-andrew-demetriou-warns-essendon-players-may-still-face-infraction-notices-20131204-2yr2o.html#ixzz2mWUHcepG

 

[Hinequarters]

ASADA has notified the AFL it will appeal Ahmed Saad’s 18-month ban. The AFL appeals board will now sit at a date in the future, where ASADA are expected to increase the AFL’s sanction of 18 months, to 24 months.

 

[Hinequarters]

DAVID Evans has some explaining to do.

Witness accounts suggest Evans, the Essendon chairman who quit on July 27, did not tell the full story in his version of events surrounding the club's "self-reporting" its 2011-12 supplements program to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency.

Three months after the Bombers were booted from the 2013 finals, there are new claims surrounding the role of Evans and his long-time family friend Andrew Demetriou in the Dons saga.

Two people present testified to ASADA that Evans and Demetriou spoke by phone during the gathering, and Evans then told the group that Demetriou had said Essendon players had taken performance-enhancing drugs.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/fo...ns-must-tell-all/story-fndv8gad-1226775403631

 

[Hinequarters]

There's a twist.. Bombers in court basically arguing they took banned substances but argued in the AFL investigation that they didn't


The club is defending a breach of contract claim by Robinson, who was suspended on the day Essendon self-reported to the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority last February.
Robinson, who believes he was made a scapegoat for the supplements program and suspended without a valid reason, is seeking financial compensation that could exceed $2 million, with a directions hearing to take place on Monday.

In response to a writ filed by lawyers for Robinson in October, Essendon has claimed its former conditioning coach failed to put in place an ''adequate process'' to ensure substances administered to players in 2011 and 2012 did not contravene the anti-doping code, were approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency and would not harm the health and safety of its players.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/weapon-to-blame-bombers-20131205-2yu08.html#ixzz2mcJRFngA

 

[Hinequarters]

A PAIR of Western Bulldogs tragics who have been the heart and soul of the club for almost 90 years combined have been dumped from the cheer squad for not putting enough bums on seats.

Doggies cheer squad co-presidents David Porter and Gary Munn say they were given their marching orders by chief Simon Garlick on Wednesday despite both being life members of the AFL club.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/we...90-years-service/story-fndv8weh-1226776424086

 

[Bard]

A PAIR of Western Bulldogs tragics who have been the heart and soul of the club for almost 90 years combined have been dumped from the cheer squad for not putting enough bums on seats.

Doggies cheer squad co-presidents David Porter and Gary Munn say they were given their marching orders by chief Simon Garlick on Wednesday despite both being life members of the AFL club.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/we...90-years-service/story-fndv8weh-1226776424086

dat surname. How do you even come up with something like that.

 

[Hinequarters]

The Essendon Football Club has been sanctioned $20,000 for breaching the AFL Player rules, in relation to unlisted players training at the club before the recent NAB AFL Rookie Draft in November.

 

[Smokeyr67]

I hear Harry O has gone into witness protection and thus will have his identity altered.

 

[Hagla]

There was also the Lions wheelchair incident around the same time as the Saints midget incident.

 

[Hinequarters]

ESSENDON is resisting calls to stop paying James Hird as the stand-off with the AFL threatens to reach crisis point.​

​

The Herald Sun understands that the AFL has pressured the Bombers to cease payments to Hird, after chief executive Andrew Demetriou asserted on Wednesday that the coach was not being paid and under the drugs scandal sanctions he could not be.​

​

The club is believed to hold concerns that it cannot break its $1 million a year contract with Hird, which does not expire until the end of 2016.​

​

Subsequent to sanctions being handed down, the specific terms of James Hird's 12-month suspension were outlined in conversations with his employer, the Essendon Football Club,'' ​

​

But it is also understood Hird made it clear during final negotiations that there was no agreement unless he was paid.​

He put the lives and health of every player under his charge in danger and even threatens the health of future spouses offspring.. but Jimsa Hirdy gotsta get paid bitch!!!​

 

[Hinequarters]

Dean Robinson's legal action against Essendon could put heat on AFL executives

Senior AFL officials, including deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan, could be dragged into Essendon's dispute with former high-performance coach Dean Robinson, as the club's supplement saga threatens to encroach on the Bombers' 2014 campaign.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/dean-robinsons-legal-action-against-essendon-could-put-heat-on-afl-executives-20131209-2z1uz.html#ixzz2myVhIRtl

 

[Hinequarters]

James Hird's wife Tania says Andrew Demetriou knew about payments to suspended coach

TANIA Hird says AFL chief Andrew Demetriou has known all along that her husband, James, is being paid by Essendon during his suspension.

In her first public comments since footy's supplements scandal broke in February, Hird's wife has slammed Demetriou's claims that the suspended coach is banned from receiving a salary.

Mrs Hird has accused the AFL of a "total disregard for the truth" and "appalling'' behaviour throughout the drugs saga.

She has also called on the league to stop "threatening" her husband and Bombers.

Mrs Hird has called for the league to back off.

"In my opinion, it's time for the AFL to stop threatening my husband, it's time for them to stop threatening the club, and it's time for them to stop distorting the truth. Their behaviour this year has been appalling," she said.

A furious Mrs Hird said the Essendon coach accepted his ban only as a result of threats.

"James took a 12-month suspension because he was threatened,'' she said.

"The club was threatened, he was threatened.

"In the end the club said, you know, it's in the best interests of the club, we need to move on, which is what we did.''

With the week-long stand-off over the Essendon coach's pay continuing, Mrs Hird broke her silence on Wednesday.

"Of course he's being paid, that was the deal," Mrs Hird said.

"Andrew Demetriou knew it, the AFL knew it."

Her comments contradict Demetriou's categorical statement last Wednesday that Hird was not being paid by the AFL or by Essendon.

"If there is one thing I will go to my grave on, I know 100 per cent the AFL is not paying and I know that Essendon is not paying," the league chief told 3AW.

Mrs Hird launched her tirade after being approached outside the family's Toorak home.


http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/james-hirds-wife-tania-says-andrew-demetriou-knew-about-payments-to-suspended-coach/story-fni5f6kv-1226781015902