Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says Essendon should be prevented from playing in the AFL next season if the fall-out from their supplements saga isn’t resolved by the end of November.
With the spectre of court action looming, after the Bombers and four of their officials were charged with bringing the game into disrepute, Kennett says the AFL can’t afford to let the saga drag on indefinitely.
The former Victorian premier says the AFL must put the reputation of the code first, even if it means playing with just 17 teams next year.
“I don’t like courts,” Kennett told Melbourne’s SEN radio on Thursday.
“I do think there is a circuit-breaker.
“If I was the AFL Commission I would say to Essendon `You do whatever you like. But if this is not resolved by the end of November, you will not as a team be competing next year.’
“We are not going to have 17 clubs and the reputation of our code become the top priority next year when we’re trying to play a competition.
“It’s just too costly.
“The AFL and Essendon are dragging down the reputation of the code.”
Kennett said the Bombers had failed their players.
The club, along with coach James Hird, assistant Mark Thompson, football manager Danny Corcoran and club doctor Bruce Reid were all charged on Tuesday night with bringing the game into disrepute over their roles in the Bombers’ 2011-12 supplements program.
All of those parties are scheduled to front the AFL Commission on August 26, although there is speculation they will instead seek a court injunction.
The commission has the power to hand out suspensions and fines, and strip the Bombers of premiership points and draft picks, should the charges be sustained.
“Essendon, right from the word go, have failed in a duty of care to their players,” Kennett said.
“For that whether the CEO knew or didn’t know, the coach, the assistant coach, the football manager all should have been dismissed or stood down.”
Essendon chief executive Ian Robson resigned in May and chairman David Evans followed in July, along with high performance manager Dean Robinson.
Kevin Mader
Roar Rookie
Everyone's blaming the wrong person. Demetriou is the catalyst for all of this.
Truth Told
Guest
I agree with your first sentence 100%. The news today re: the fertilty and birt defects issues. It really showed the human element in this. Imagine being a parent of these young men or worse still a partner and hearing this. EFC and their staff are definately engaging in some form of scorched earth policy. I do believe as Bruno Cullen said EFC were "hoodwinked" like the sharks no doubt. They feel deceived and want to take as many as they can down with them. But ignorance is no excuse and EFC had responsibiity to make sure it was safe and legal for players. Players also have to accept they were hoodwinked and cop the full bans after all doping rues state they are fully responsible no matter who they trusted or what they were told, no exceptiions.
1860melbourne
Guest
Hird and EFC are hell bent on taking the game down with them. I think that Kennett is right. EFC are a cancer and they should cut out otherwise this could go on for years. The game is bigger than any individual or club.
Truth Told
Guest
Yep because EFC deserve to be de-registered as a club for exposing those players to danger, bringing the game into disrepute on an unprecedented scale and threatning to drag this out with bs litigation trying to defend the undefendable. As for the players they deserve a full two year as ignorance is no defense as the doping laws say so. The difference is what the players did is forgivable. 2 years served with regular testing thereafter is enough to say welcome back boys with no restrictions. However what the club did to those boys is down right despicable and should banished forever. Their actions are unforgivable. It is only a matter of if the AFL has the balls to stand up and do the right thing as the longer it lingers the AFL only loses and disillusions more and more fans
abigail
Guest
The new Tasmanian team could be named the Tasmanian Vultures. Set up specifically to pick Essendon's carcase.
abigail
Guest
Tasmania would be happy to fill the void of 18th team if the AFL de-registers Essendon FC. Maybe Demitriou should start holding some very public talks with the Tasmanian Football League, just to let Essendon know that the AFL has contingency plans. Looks like Gold Coast will be a threat to the eight next year, Giants should also move up the ladder, so not a bad time to bring in a new team. Local Tasmanian talent, a couple of top draft picks and some Eseendon players that have been cleared by ASADA that they could keep or trade, would be the basis for a decent list. The AFL could subsidise the new team with the money it would save on legals should this saga with Essendon continue to drag on.
James of Fremantle
Guest
So Jeff Kennet is still an idiot ? As annoying as it is that this is dragging on, there are due processes and natural justice. If the AFL were to try anything like that, we all know that it would be a lawyer's picnic.
Maca
Guest
Kennett is a dill, and there's no need to start listening to this ex-premier and ex-president (of bloody Hawthorn!)
Tony
Guest
Essendon out & Hawthorn to amalgamate with Melbourne - that's been suggested before! We would then be back to 16 teams & only 7 in Melbourne....perfect solution!
Franko
Guest
You tell em Jeff!!!!! Northern Territory Thunder to fill the 18th spot next year.