Essendon coach James Hird could announce as early as Thursday that he will appeal against last month’s devastating Federal Court ruling.
While the Herald Sun reported Hird will proceed with an appeal, The Age said Essendon have decided against pursuing any further court action.
It sets the scene for an intriguing club best and fairest function on Wednesday night in Melbourne, with this season’s Essendon caretaker coach Mark Thompson set to take over as Gold Coast coach.
Thompson is understood to be attending the function.
The club and Hird took ASADA to court, arguing the anti-doping body’s joint investigation into the 2012 supplements program at Essendon was unlawful.
But Justice John Middleton ruled decisively against them, despite their confidence that they had strong cases.
The Bombers and Hird officially have until October 10 to confirm whether they will appeal.
ASADA announced last week that if Essendon and Hird decided not to appeal, the national anti-doping body would proceed with revised show-cause notices against 34 current and former Bombers players.
The show-cause notices are the first step in the anti-doping disciplinary process.
Mark
Guest
James believes that Essendon took no banned substances. Dank has continually said the same, including under oath. Are you suggesting that it is not right for a person to stand up for what they truly believe is the truth? Keep in mind that ASADA must find the Essendon players guilty to avoid looking like fools.
Mark
Guest
He is a passionate Hawthorn supporter. Football passion and bias can even sway court results???? Amazing.
Mark
Guest
How can you respect his findings when he said things that were nonsensical... Middleton praising Andrusca as beinbg honest and forthright when she would not answer 70% of the questions to avoid being caught out shocked me. Was Middleton at a different hearing or has he got convenient memory loss?
Pumping Dougie
Guest
This whole drugs saga by the time it's finished will become a global case study of disastrous club management from start-to-finish. It sets a world benchmark not only in professional sport but for organisations generally for continual poor decision making and reckless negligence. It demonstrates: poor governance by a club; the interesting component of an unethical and potentially illegal sports science injection program; complex investigations by enforcement bodies ACCC, AFL and ASADA; and a mountain of litigation between all affected parties who suffered collateral damage. Most followers conclude Hird is a delusional, selfish, unethical, poorly-advised man with an ego that's clouded his judgement. But EFC's culpability in all of the errors from start to finish (including the recent litigation to try and prevent evidence from being admissible and the remarkable decision to extend Hird's contract when Blind Freddy could see that was obstinate suicide) is a global case study and precedent in horrendously bad management. Hird and the Board should both fall on their sword.
AR
Guest
Middleton was a seriousy talented lawyer and highly respected member of the Federal Court Bench. If his decision was appealed, and overturned by a full court, that would be extraordinary in itself. It's a big "if" for Hird to gamble on.
Beny Iniesta
Guest
And Essendon has been told by the AFL that if they appeal they lose ANZAC Day forever. What should Essendon do genius?
Nicko
Guest
So the Club that has responsibility to look after the best interests of their players has decided that they will not appeal and let the process take its course, but Hird does not think this is good enough...he is taking ASADA on on his own to stand up for the... players...ok, I get it...
Nico
Guest
I am not a fan of Essendon but a select few have dug a hole for this club that hasnt even hit bottom yet. The football club is facing potential legal cases from the coach, high performance manager and potentially a raft of players if this drama plays out to its logical conclusion. The only good news for Bombers fans is that they are very likely to be left with a hardened playing group and a completely new coaching and management structure not tainted by any of this .... as long as the club can survive what looks like a massive legal bill
Hansie
Guest
It's all about James with James; has been since the start of this saga. He has to be the ultimate narcissist.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
He has to. Think about it, if the board give him the arse following Thursdays meeting then Hird has no way to save face in the event of this outcome. However, if he gets shafted (like many expect he will) then should he win the appeal he can then sue ASADA, the AFL and the Essendon football club for damages. Those damages would then include most likely the millions he will lose from his contact being terminated, which Essendon will argue he is not entitled to due to a breach in his duty of care. He could then sue the AFL for covering up the operation and whistle blowing (and I'm sure this will all come out in Turds' book one day also) and then ASADA for damages to his reputation and future earning capacity. Now when he loses (and lose he will) he is then going to have to crawl under a rock and hide for 5 years minimum before surfacing again as a reserves coach in the NT league (do they even have one?)
Rocco75
Guest
This is hilarious. I want Hird to appeal till he can't appeal anymore. I'm loving this. Obviously Justice Middleton's verdict isn't respected by Hird and his lawyers. Throw another million dollars down the toilet James.
Common Sense
Guest
This man is deluded. He's turning out to be what seems as the kind of person that would burn a house down to cover up a petty theft, refusing to be accused of stealing and resorts to committing a worse crime to 'make it all go away.'
Beny Iniesta
Guest
If this is true - Hird has to go.