AFL Players’ Association boss Matt Finnis says it will be unacceptable if Essendon players are heavily punished over supplements they took last year, as it’s those in charge of the club that are culpable.
Finnis said it was premature and unfair to talk about whether Bombers skipper Jobe Watson should lose the Brownlow Medal he won last year or be suspended after admitting to taking banned anti-obesity drug AOD-9604.
Finnis said his understanding was that Watson and other Bombers had done nothing but put their faith in Essendon officials, who players had a right to believe would have had the expertise to determine which supplements complied with anti-doping rules.
“We understand the concept of strict liability and personal responsibility,” Finnis told reporters on Wednesday.
“But I don’t think we should also ignore the principles of fairness and justice.
“I think any system which would seek to place heavy penalties on somebody who has acted in accordance with the directions of their employer, as they’re required to do under their contract, and has been the victim of some kind of misrepresentation or even deception, it would be completely unacceptable for that situation to arise.
“That’s why we’ll continue to represent the players to avoid that situation arising.”
Finnis said Essendon players had been placed in an untenable situation by a club which “put the interests of performance ahead of the broader welfare of the playing group”.
“Quite clearly there’s been failings here at the club,” Finnis said.
“While players have a responsibility in relation to their part of this process, culpability must reside with those who had the ultimate authority.”
On suggestions Watson should lose his Brownlow because the supplement he admitted taking gave him an unfair advantage over other players, Finnis said the reason AOD-9604 was banned wasn’t because of a performance-enhancing effect.
“We’re talking about substances which haven’t been approved for human use and therefore their therapeutic value is indeed questionable and that’s why they’re on the banned list,” he said.
“So I think any speculation about an unfair advantage is waylaid or inappropriate given the information we’ve got at hand at the moment.”
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
"Just forget your ACL snap and hobble forward!"
Round 8 is finally over - and with thrilling finishes, epic goals and some supremely gutsy performances, what a weekend it was! Collingwood continued…
Not often you see an umpire reverse his own decision!
Commentator Jack Riewolt was shocked the game wasn't stopped so he could get treatment.
Running into an open goal, everyone thought the Hawks sub kicked it at first!
