In the end, the ‘Switkowski Report’ delivered Essendon what it expected and wanted to hear.
There was no dramatic revelations, no calls for immediate sackings or recommendations for sweeping overhauls despite the pedantic predictions by some in the media.
The key finding was that abnormalities had existed behind the charade of poor management and a lack of medical input.
This was no surprise as David Evans has constantly admitted since February that ‘irregular practices’ had lived between November 2011 and September 2012.
Importantly, the former Telstra CEO found no evidence that instructions were given for the clubs program to break WADA and ASADA rules.
As Switkowski wrote, while the club was looking to push the legal limit, ‘clear instructions were given to not cross the line and to stay within the WADA and ASADA codes’.
While it seems that Essendon were exonerated in most places, there were a few points that were slated by Dr Switkowski.
The report exposed grave concerns with how medical staff members were kept out of the loop on crucial decisions as members of the fitness team considered them ‘yesterday’s men – not abreast of the most modern sports science methodologies, excessively conventional, and pharmacologically illiterate. They were ‘part of the problem, not part of the solution.’
But apart from those issues, the report really repeated what we and the football already knew yet Essendon seem not to know.
Its first key finding was ‘football clubs are changing and growing’ (duh!) while another key finding was that there were ‘failures in structure and accountability’.
While I hate to sound repetitive again I repeat; duh! The report’s recommendations had some interesting titbits to consider.
Surprisingly, it didn’t call for a blanket ban on IV drips but rather called for justifiable reasons to be made before performing them.
Another interesting recommendation was on the role of General Manager-Football Operations.
Far from slamming Paul Hamilton and Danny Cochran, it cut them some slack calling the role a ‘difficult position’ because it involved directing and working with ‘alpha males’.
While not calling for change, the report detailed that the GM of Football Operations must be strong and ready essentially be the tough guy of the department.
However, some recommendations read like a good episode of The Office. For example, recommendation five states that ‘the CEO must be accountable for everything that happens within his organization’.
Even cartoon character Monty Burns (who remember polluted a lake with nuclear waste) knows that recommendation.
Although Switkowski’s report finds no major problems and only calls for some structural (not personnel) changes, this report does not clear the Bombers period.
While this inquiry was necessary, it’s too narrow to completely absolve Essendon Football Club.
The next phase is the ASADA investigation into what was taken by players and how it was taken.
This inquiry has more scope and more powers to investigate.
While the Switkowski report investigated the periphery, ASADA’s investigation goes to heart of whether the club breached the doping policies.
Essentially ASADA will determine what we really need to know; did the Essendon Football Club cheat to get ahead of the competition?
Even the smallest guilty finding will put the Essendon Football Club in serious trouble that will force a mass exodus of staff.
This alone is for ASADA to determine, not an internal report on structure and accountability.
While David Evans can sleep a little easier tonight, tomorrow will once again bring more anxiety as the realisation will hit the club that true judgment day has yet to come.
Redb
Roar Guru
Firstly, the media are one step behind. Secondly, the status of AOD is far from certain. Thirdly, don't beleive everything Dank says.
pope paul v11
Guest
Just read "Bombers Targetting Legal Loopholes" (Jon Ralph). It states that Dank admitted he gave the players AOD-9O64. I hadn't read that anywhere before? 7.30 report showed Emails from Dank to WADA, when he's told it's not an approved substance. If these are the established facts then bans will surely follow? Pending said legal battle.
Moonshine
Guest
I will wager if Tom W is still taking bets that if it wraps up before the end of the season, that they will take away half their points so far (because of extenuating circumstances) attained which means they would miss the finals which is fair without them being completely banished..I guess you may argue why you dont take all of the points to make a point on drugs as they still miss the finals obviously but the Storm playing for nothing in from Round 7 on 2010 was slightly ridiculous and with betting being more pervasive now it would draw suggestions that the Bombers may lay down against certain opponents on the cusp of the eight.....
Richard
Guest
Just a general comment on penalising any club through fines. I am referring to the likes of melbourne, Adelaide, possibly essendon and any future clubs. Given the fact that most clubs receive a large proportion of their income via the afl, and many are unable to balance the books without it, isn't deducting points or other penalties a more appropriate option? Just interested to here people's views. Cheers
Richard
Guest
Thank you for letting me know RedB, Swampy,apologies for getting a little narky earlier in the forum, cheers
The Umpire Strikes Back
Guest
Its "probably" a problem, but until they interview the players or find a smoking gun prior I think they have little choice but to let them play on at least until August. If evidence is lacking by August and the final decision is likely to favour Essendon, then let them play on and keep the points. If evidence is mounting high by August that at least 6 players breached the rules AND the findings by ASADA are still at least 2 months away, then AFL will need to think pretty hard about penalising them before the finals. Personally, I think the AFL would be on the ball here and have told the club and ASADA that they want the thing wrapped up by July or August at the latest.
Redb
Roar Guru
Who you do support?
Franko
Guest
It's already a problem. They have injected their players, they say they don't know what with, yet they are stil play on as if all is well. It's not only knocking a team out the 8, or winning a GF. What if your best player is injured against Essendon? An injury caused by their players recovering better from the previous game and hence having greater impact in a collision. The competition is already diluted because of their cheating, the longer it goes on, the worse it will be.
The Umpire Strikes Back
Guest
You should apply for a position at Windy Hill. You'd fit in well. Seriously, you would.
The Umpire Strikes Back
Guest
It is a real possibility. If the Bombers finish top 4, you would think pressure will be on the AFL & ASADA to resolve the issue before the finals. If ASADA finish up by July or August and conclude all is fine at Windy Hill, then great. This would be my and I assume everyone else's preferred outcome. However, if there is a reasonable amount of evidence mounting by August 2013 and ASADA are still some time away from completing the investigation, then AFL should have some balls and take all premiership points away from Bombers for the 2013 season. The reputation risk to the AFL of a team subsequently guilty of doping and winning the GF (or costing another club a position in the 8) is too great.
Chairman Kaga
Guest
Imagine what would happen if Essendon won the premiership. That would stink and put AFL on a par with horse racing and professional wrestling for shonky practices. Maybe the AFL will cover up the Bombers skullduggery, but they might have to instruct the umpires to make it tough on them. Bit like they tend to do with certain clubs they need to assist, such as Melbourne last Sunday or North Melbourne on Saturday. The laws now give the league the ability to influence games through the grey rules they have put in.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
The Essendon Board must be full of pollies - never commission a report you don't know what the findings will be. The parameters were strictly controlled. If it had been completely open-ended who knows what it would have uncovered. The reality is players' welfare has been (potentially?) compromised. I am still astonished this aspect has not been more widely commented on. This was done with the express knowledge and permission of the coach. For this reason alone his position is untenable. And by strongly backing him, the CEO also should go. I guess we'll see how the whole thing pans out...
Redb
Roar Guru
Richard, I can sympathise with Swampy, it gets tiresome wading through the subjective pretending to be objective views. Present company excluded :)
Richard
Guest
Cheers RedB, Fair enough, I hear you and appreciate your point of view, and only wish all the best for the players and club. Swampy, many fans of the game and fair minded people would be appalled at the position the players have found themselves in. The word hate that you use is pretty ridiculous and adds nothing to this exchange, I do appreciate RedB's view but yours well...enough said.
Swampy
Guest
The hate is back redb, properly back - Bombers must be a contender, good signs. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Redb
Roar Guru
You have to be part of the solution not the problem.
Redb
Roar Guru
oh dear. :)
Moonshine
Guest
Hope u r right Redb. Even a dyed in the wool NRL writer has gone in hard although Fahey mightnt be privy to all the facts and as we have seen before in this , its a good idea not to go off too early.. http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/afl-dealing-with-hearings-better-than-nrl-fahey-20130507-2j5tn.html
Redb
Roar Guru
Richard, I think most Essendon members feel he has been impressive through this whole saga. As a member I will vote for him. The election is in November I would expect management action in the weeks and months ahead. This has happened on his watch but hindsight is such wonderful thing. I think what has happened to Essendon has been an extraordinary flux of events. There will come a time to look at roles but the priority has to be the players, all other considerations are secondary at the moment. There is no doubt the club on and off field is doing well and it's leaders are getting the best out of them.
Franko
Guest
I tend to disagree Richard. This is not the first time Essendon have been under a major cloud. They have been fined for cheating between 91 and 96 and they cheated again in 03 when they breached the cap. Now we have this potentially destroying the '13 season due to their innability to tell everybody what exactly their players have been injected with. And this is what we know, you have to wonder what we don't know about their dealings in the past.