Essendon boss promises: we will be okay

By Roger Vaughan / Wire

Chairman David Evans has promised Essendon fans that the AFL club will come through their doping crisis as a stronger organisation.

Evans and coach James Hird made emotional speeches on Monday night at the Bombers’ season launch, thanking the players and fans for their support.

The club is under a joint Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL investigation for supplements that the players used last season.

Evans has also announced an independent review of the club as a result of the crisis.

The anti-doping investigation is likely to take months, meaning it will hang over the Bombers for much of the season.

“I understand the way you look at me tonight, looking for reassurance our beautiful place will be okay,” Evans said.

“I promise you that it will be.

“The hurt of the past few weeks is still raw, but it is this room that gives me strength – given how you all have stood behind the club in its hour of need.

“We will get through this and we will be a better, stronger organisation.”

Evans also apologised for the circumstances that led to the crisis.

“Mistakes have been made and I sincerely apologise that they have occurred,” he said.

“We will get to the bottom of what happened, we will make sure those mistakes never happen again.

“While we know some things, there is so much we don’t know, and we’re continuing to piece together a long and complicated jigsaw puzzle.

“I commit to you that we are making progress.”

Hird said it had been humbling to coach the team in the past few weeks, adding the players had stayed focussed and disciplined.

“My family and this football club means everything to me and I will do everything that is in my power to get the club through this difficult time,” he said.

“That means being the best coach I can be to this wonderful team of young men who wear our colours so proudly.”

The Crowd Says:

2013-03-09T08:14:24+00:00

Steve M

Guest


The ex boss of ASADA's view that the Sharks' revelations are a template for all other clubs that will be investigated is very interesting for Essendon.

2013-03-06T04:58:43+00:00

Lroy

Guest


"Doping Crisis" ... ah, did someone test positive?? Havent they all said everything was above board?? or are we talking about the leadership of the ALP???

2013-03-05T13:33:55+00:00

Martin

Guest


The undesirable elements will just move their target to another club; they will search for the weakest link at any club they can find.

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