Even if Essendon isn’t stripped of premiership points by the AFL Commission and get the chance to play in September, they will only be making up the numbers if the past month’s performances are anything to go by.
One of the league’s penalties should be, if the club is found guilty of the charge that has been laid against it and four officials, which is bringing the game into disrepute, banning them from the finals, because it would put them out of their misery.
As we all thought, the drugs saga has caught up with Essendon on the field and probably later than predicted.
When Brisbane surprised them by defeating them at Docklands in Round 8, most in the footy world thought the fall was on then, but they got to Round 17 and the Hawthorn clash in second spot.
However, they have been belted since by the Hawks, Collingwood, West Coast and North Melbourne.
The Hawthorn match came off the back of allegations that AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou had tipped off then Essendon Chairman David Evans in a phone call that ASADA was looking into a supplement program provided by the club.
History tells us, the biggest off field story broke the next day and of course it’s still going, with no end in sight yet.
The Bombers started okay against the Hawks and to be fair that match was possibly an example of Hawthorn being far too good, but the Magpies disaster followed by the woeful displays against the Eagles and North showed the controversy has burnt the players out.
There was a chance that maybe they could rally when they took on the Roos after the AFL announced that at the moment they wouldn’t be sanctioning any players, but they appeared to be flatter than the Eagles defeat… and that’s saying something.
They are a shadow of the team that began the season in a blaze of glory. The skill level is currently almost not of AFL standard as error after error resulted in a North goal and it would be fair to say, the Kangaroos, outside the sublime Daniel Wells, didn’t play all that well either.
The fans also seemed to have had enough and know that if they play an elimination final, they won’t be going any further as the crowd numbers at Docklands against North were well down.
Essendon, even though they have stated publicly that they would fight the loss of premiership points for this season, you would hope privately have a different view and if found guilty and that’s one of the penalties handed out, they must accept it as they have to realise unless there’s a miracle, they won’t have a positive impact on the finals in 2013.
It would be disastrous for Essendon and the league as a whole if they are told they can play in the competition next year but their wins won’t count.
It would be a bold move by the AFL to take that stance as it means one game every week would mean nothing and that compromises the multi-million dollar broadcasting deal.
On current form, Essendon would probably only defeat Melbourne and the GWS, which indicates with all due respects to those teams, how poor they are now and at the end of the day the club and the footy department only have themselves to blame for this predicament, even if all parties who have been charged by the league are still innocent until proven guilty.
The league is set to hand down that outcome next week, and not before time. We have a finals series to play and watch.
It would be nice to concentrate solely on the footy for once this season.
Peter
Guest
Comparing Essendon suppliments program to Nazi Germany ????? just shows the mentality of some people.
Peter
Guest
Truth is the AFL has had it in for Essendon for a number of years,remember Hird describing an umpires woeful performance as discraceful? yes he received a $20,000 fine.Obviously within the AFL empire certain individuals are untouchable.The biggest joke is that the AFL allows players to take ice,cocaine & ecstasy under their 3 strike policy yet they talk about the possible side affects from Essendons suppliment program.Strange that nobody was questioned over duty of care when John McCarthy jumped off a roof.
Tom
Guest
It really depends if dank actually did what is alleged. In media interviews he has denied tht he did.
Tom
Guest
As an Essendon Supporter I think my dismay/rage cebtres on the club not winning at the moment. Had a gutful of end of seadon fadeouts. In terms of asada. I'll take Hird and Littles word for it. I don't believe they'd be lying to their supporter base. They say we didnt cheat with drugs then I'll believe them unless proven guilty by asada. The AFL is veing very unreasonable if the mooted penalties are True. No way do honest intentions and not being able to say 100% what dank administered the players = no premiership points millions in fines draft picks gone for 2 years and hird banished from the game. Sounds like essendons one crime was not having a witness to danks work 100% of the time. I wonder if all other clubs had witnesses for every supplement given by staff to players? The whole affair if handled right could actually bting repute to afl rather than the otherway around. If worlds best practice adoption is an outcome.
Bob Murphy
Guest
At least the Lions aren't cheats!!
Barney
Guest
Get off too light? I am still unsure what the bombers are really guilty of. Illegal drugs? Not yet. Doesnt look good for there being a problem there with the papers saying this AOD stuff was cleared as legal by ASADA true or false?. Poor Governance? Simply by asking for an investigation in February indicated that guilt.(they could not answer in a straightforward mannerif they had any problems..funny the AFL could but did not disclose that). They cleaned up their act by asking for the the ex Telstra guys to go through the operations. Sacked the COO for the stuff up I think was the outcome of that. People are screaming for heads based on dubious newspaper allegations, when really the facts need to be aired. Media field day on a case that should have been kept confidential by ASADA.
Barney
Guest
The problem with that is. How can you fine the club if they do not take action against any official or player? if not action whose responsibility is it? just those essendon have sacked or whoever have resigned? Is $2 Million dollars a suitable fine if no player is guilty of cheating with drugs? Same with stripping points? All those penalties I think would have to stem from the club actually being found in the wrong. Otherwise which Club in the future, in their right mind would ever cooperate with ASADA? Its not the look ASADA or the AFL want to cultivate. Wack Essendon on Drug Charges if they exist otherwise clear them. Its pretty simple.
Phil Maguire
Guest
James Hird said Essendon would be in a very good position when truth started to emerge. Well, he was right. If anyone should be charged with bringing the game into disrepute it should should be Caroline Wilson, Patrick Smith and Andrew Demetriou. Wilson and Smith should have their AFL accreditation revoked. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-08-20/we-want-explanation-watson Now we know that in February this year the AFL was told by ASADA that AOD-9604 was not a prohibited substance. Now we know why Jobe Watson wasn't charged. Still want to take his Brownlow away you idiots? Time for the AFL to drop these absurd charges, work with clubs to ensure there are no governance issues and apologise to Essendon for destroying their season and maybe even compensate them with a high draft pick.
Phil Maguire
Guest
We live in a world dominated by moral relativism so it makes me laugh when I read the hypocrital commentary of the Essendon haters. It has not even been proven that Essendon broke a rule. "Thou shalt not take any action that might bring the game into disrepute." If the team went roo shooting with a legal permit on a outback jaunt it might be said to have to have risked bringing the game into disrepute. Imagine the media reaction. You see, that's the absurd thing about these charges. They are completely subjective and based on opinion. It's clear, however, that you don't want Essendon and James Hird et al punished for potentially bringing the game into disrepute. You want them punished for things they haven't even been charged with.
Aransan
Guest
To quote Phil in an earlier comment: "What's happened Bobbo7? Perhaps you'd like to let the rest of us know?"
Lamby
Guest
They are playing like they have no faith in the coach or club. That will happen when find out that Hird and the club has been using you as a pharmacological experiment and cannot actually tell you what drugs they have given you!
Bobbo7
Guest
If that is the only penalty every club might as well drug it's players up to the eyeballs in the hope of winning a flag. For so many reasons, including player safety clubs have to see the penalty as so severe they would not risk it. Saying sorry and its all sorted out now is not the answer.
Bobbo7
Guest
Good comment. The whole thing is a circus and if I was an Essendon player I would be furious with what the coaching staff have allowed to happen. Too many fans are blaming everyone but those in charge at the club.
Bobbo7
Guest
Good comment. The whole thing is a circus and if I was an Essendon player I would be furious with what the coaching staff have allowed to happen. Likewise if I was a supporter of the club I would be furious and asking for my membership money back. Too many fans are blaming everyone but those in charge at the club.
Truth Told
Guest
Yeah right. Based off that logic Adolf Hitler and Germany should have been let off because they genuinely "thought" they were doing the "right" thing and the Nazi's had been eradicated. Yeah right. As I have stated before I genuinely believe EFC were duped, got in way above their heads, steamed out control until cool heads prevailed and stopped the program once they worked out what was happening. just like Bruno Cullen from the Sharks claimed. Ignorance or good intention is no excuse to either escape penalty or get a lesser one. A hefty fine just not cut it as a punishment. By the way what is hefty? Something that severely affects the opetation of the club I.E hurts the fans or player salaries or bankrupts them? Bet you will say no. So in other words you are refering to is a token fine that does not impact on the club operation. The other sad thing is I do believe others in other teams within the AFL have been doing this as well. Maybe not as an organised club thing like EFC but as individuals. It stands to reason. EFC just happened to get caught. It would appear the AFL would be more than happy to confine this to EFC if they found out about others doing it and get away with suppressing it. They just don't want to look. Maybe another time etc.
Aransan
Guest
If Essendon were threatened with such a loss of draft picks they would certainly go to court. Do you think Demetriou and the AFL would be silly enough to try and impose a penalty that would fail in court? A negotiated outcome is in everyone's interests, so start thinking about what would be accepted reluctantly by both sides.
Aransan
Guest
I am sure that Essendon and its supporters have suffered a great deal through the speculation and bulldust that has been peddled by the media through this season and also the baiting from some other clubs supporters. I don't think Essendon feels that they need to show any further humility and they have taken measures to ensure they will be accountable in the future.
Penster
Guest
Misleading headline - should have read "Carlton don't deserve to play in the finals" lol. The same thing has happened to the Dons in the past couple of seasons, petered out, lots of injuries. Would this year have been any better without the drugs stuff - probably, but who knows. I hope they regain some form and give us a great finals show, I personally have no interest in seeing any but the top 8 firing on all cylinders.
Mic
Guest
@ Aransan. You don't seriously believe that the AFL would strip your points for 2013, sending you to the bottom of the ladder, and then give you the number 1 draft pick on a platter?? If so, you are seriously deluded. EFC will be lucky to see a decent draft pick inside the next three years.
Australian Rules
Guest
"It is surprising how much jealousy there is coming from other clubs." I don't any other club is "jealous" of Essendon right now. But most, I think, would expact a little humility and accountability.