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Joined July 2013
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Football, beer, mexican and RICHMOND TIGERS! Oh we're from Tigerland A fighting fury we're from Tigerland In any weather you will see us with a grin Risking head and skin If we're behind we'll never mind we'll fight and fight and win oh where from tigerland we never weaken til the final siren goes like the tigers of old we're strong and we're bold oh we're from tiger -YELLOW AND BLACK- oh we're from tigerland
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Last week Jobe Watson, captain of the Essendon Football Club, publicly admitted that he was repeatedly injected with AOD-9604 during the 2012 season. AOD-9604…
Actually, Hird himself said a few days after the admission: “I didn’t know that was going to be said”. It was, in fact, a shock and suprise to many in the football world. The fact the AFL has still not acted may make it seem like it was known to those outside ASADA, but that’s not the case.
To re-iterate what I’ve said above, and help clarify: I’m not asking for Jobe’s ultimate punishment, obviously that should wait and will depend on the full details of the investigation. I’m discussing his suspension. Unlike any other player he has made full public admissions. If the AFL continues not to act, it could threaten to undermine the entire finals. Revelations yesterday concerning 4 new drugs (including a drug specifically prohibited under S2, not just S0), and Dank’s possible court appeal could mean the ASADA investigation will be finished much later than originally expected, and well into finals territory.
Jobe Watson should have been suspended immediately
I’m not asking for the punishment, obviously that should wait. But given the recent revelations concerning the 4 new drugs, the ASADA report could come out much later than originally expected, and well into finals territory – I’m discussing suspension in the meantime.
Jobe Watson should have been suspended immediately
“That something has become public knowledge makes no difference except for PR.”
But Timmuh, the AFL’s reputation is incredibly important. Reputation is hard gained, easily lost and it is crucial to our game, especially if we want it to grow and be respected. Do we want to have a reputation for siding with players who admit to drug use, or the players who actively avoid prohibited drugs, who play fair and adhere to the rules?
But this isn’t just about the captain, or his team or even other players. This is about the entire game and each day the AFL don’t act, they’re sending a dangerous message: “we won’t act until ASADA tells us to”. Remember, peptides such as AOD-9604 are incredibly hard to detect and some are legal to possess and buy. If the AFL don’t take a hard line on this then what does it say to the young budding players out there who may be tempted to try drugs like this?
Jobe Watson should have been suspended immediately
True, he said he believes he didn’t do anything wrong and said that he believed it wasn’t prohibited. But it is – AOD-9604 is prohibited under S0 of the WADA prohibited substances list and taking it is a strict-liability offence. Claiming ignorance is no defence. Jim Fahley, boss of WADA has said that “once it is in your system, you’re gone”.
Lets look over his admission again: he said he signed consent forms to be given AOD-9604, believes he was given that and that it was a “new frontier” for him, as a footy player receiving so many injections. As I said above, what more evidence do we need? A video tape of him being injected with a needle labelled “AOD-9604”? This just isn’t plausible.
Jobe Watson should have been suspended immediately