In a massive morning for sport in Australia, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has found 34 Essendon players, past and present, violated the AFL Doping Code and that “all players were significantly at fault”.
It’s a huge turnaround, after the AFL found the players not guilty of any breach last March. So what has been the reaction?
More:
» Essendon players found guilty, will miss 2016 season
» Essendon doping saga: Full list of players to miss 2016 AFL season
» Read CAS’s statement regarding the Essendon finding
» Potential top-up Bombers: Could Kelly, Stokes or Lake return?
» Hey WADA, you got the wrong man
Within minutes of the announcement, the issue was the top trend on Twitter, with the following hashtags the top five in Australia: #Essendon, Brownlow, #bombers, James Hird, Stephen Dank. Obviously Hird was the Bombers’ coach during the 2011 season when the violations took place, and Dank oversaw the controversial program.
As for Brownlow trending, Essendon captain Jobe Watson won the game’s most prestigious individual honour in 2012, the same year the program was in place at the club. With Watson among the 12 active Essendon players set to miss the coming season, and CAS finding all players “were significantly at fault”, his medal could also be stripped.
AFL will now have to make a decision on the legitimacy of Jobe Watson's Brownlow Medal #Essendon
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) January 11, 2016
Should Trent Cotchin be given the 2012 Brownlow Medal?
— Michael Thompson (@ThommoMedia) January 11, 2016
I know it's a big deal but people making Jobe's Brownlow the main issue is a bit off.
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) January 11, 2016
Regarding the club’s former coach, most were happy enough just to stick the boot into the man. Although some had a bit more subtlety than others.
Can't wait to hear from James Hird, or as he's now known, "El Chapo".
— Sergio Paradise (@serge_para) January 11, 2016
I really hope James #Hird isn't a big David Bowie fan because he will be having a really bad day.
— Madeleine (@maddicharles) January 11, 2016
Of course, there was no shortage of jokes at the Bombers’ expense.
You can see the #Essendon footy club from my place pic.twitter.com/PxqNJMOVEz
— DarrenWheels (@DarrenWheels) January 11, 2016
But others were far more sympathetic, particularly for the club’s long-suffering fans.
Wow. Just … wow. @EssendonFC's players and fans cop it yet again. #Essendon https://t.co/hlL7sfdpaA
— Daniel Sankey (@Daniel_Sankey) January 11, 2016
The AFL have simply acknowledged the finding, with more to come later today.
The AFL acknowledges CAS sanctions. AFL Commission will meet later this morning & Mike Fitzpatrick, Gill McLachlan will speak at a time tbc.
— AFL House (@AFL_House) January 11, 2016
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