There is no way Essendon would have been named if there was not irrefutable proof. The AFL could not afford damage to their brand based on speculation. The only issue now is how many players will be rubbed out, for how long and when will the penalties commence.
It seems that they may get 6 months with the AFL PR emphasis on them taking the drugs unwittingly. The AFL then negotiates that to start in September and finish in February. Punishment handed out and no loss of games to television. win win

There is no way Essendon would have been named if there was not irrefutable proof. The AFL could not afford damage to their brand based on speculation. The only issue now is how many players will be rubbed out, for how long and when will the penalties commence.
It seems that they may get 6 months with the AFL PR emphasis on them taking the drugs unwittingly. The AFL then negotiates that to start in September and finish in February. Punishment handed out and no loss of games to television. win win

A Golfer until the day I die despite playing absolutely crap

You honestly believe the league will suspend players from competition when no competition is being played? They’d be laughed out of town! In any case the AFL aren’t in control of suspensions here. WADA/ASADA will have the final say there. And they haven’t been too worried who’s “brand” they’ve damaged in the past. IF Essendon are found guilty they’ll have to cop their whack along with the unnamed player from elsewhere.

It will be interesting to see how Essendon will be received by the crowd on Friday night in the first NAB Cup game… yes, we can also start talking about ACTUAL footy games again.

Too much slow play means that golf has a wait problem

I’m going to say something I believe in

THE AFL should not allow Essendon to play this friday night

if they win – everyone from the opposition has a right to call them cheats…

The AFL if it had any balls will pull this game and say sorry we can let you play untill this mess is cleaned up

It will be interesting to see how Essendon will be received by the crowd on Friday night in the first NAB Cup game… yes, we can also start talking about ACTUAL footy games again.

Too much slow play means that golf has a wait problem

I’m going to say something I believe in

THE AFL should not allow Essendon to play this friday night

if they win – everyone from the opposition has a right to call them cheats…

The AFL if it had any balls will pull this game and say sorry we can let you play untill this mess is cleaned up

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. Winston Churchill

so no natural justice then. What is this North Korea?

No. I believe in natrual justice ..

Evidence is overwhelming.

The games image and integrity is far more important than a NAB game

TRENT Croad

read this

Croad had links with Bikie Gangs – possibly supplying

hmm …from the article

Croad worked in a senior role at the Epigenx medical practice in Toorak until late last year, when he unexpectedly severed ties with the clinic.

On Monday night Croad had no comment to make when asked about his alleged meeting with the bikies or his time with Epigenx.

The Epigenx clinic’s founder is a respected doctor, Robin Willcourt, who last season worked with the Essendon Football Club’s sports scientist, Stephen Dank, to examine blood samples from the team’s players.

On Monday, Dr Willcourt stressed that his clinic had no role in supplying any pharmaceuticals or sporting supplements, and that if his patients wanted such supplements they had to take their prescription to a pharmacist.

so there is link!!

Bikie gangs with Essendon have a link and it was the toadster (croad)

I have a feeling Dank has a link to organised crime on some level – I think it will be exsposed at some point

The scary part to all of this….

the AFL and the ACC have kind of been leaning all of this towards PH drugs….

wait til they expose the illicit drugs

This whole thing has just started – for mine PH drugs will have an impact on the game

but players with meth addictions and lionks to bikie ganga will rock the footy world at some point

Essendon at the moment is like a childcare centre, with an outbreak of measles on it’s hands.

They’ve now taken the extraordinary step of calling in the parents to reassure them that none of their “kiddies are sick”.

How utterly pathetic is that?

These aren’t a class of 5 yr olds that we’re talking about.

The fact that Essendon thinks they need to “inform their parents” .... just shows how panicked they are, and the sort of child-like leadership the club has, where it thinks this parent teacher meeting was required to reassure them that their “kids” are safe in their hands.

Half the players probably have kids themselves, and I couldn’t help but laugh, as I watched on the news all these middle aged mothers and fathers being ushered into the club, only to no doubt, have more lies fed to them.

Essendon are a complete and utter rabble, and have no leadership in the club. Decisions are being made out of sheer panic, and they are rightfuly ….. the laughing stock of the AFL.

There is one person at Essendon though, that we are yet to hear from, and it’s that hypocrite Mark Thompson, who appears to have gone to ground of late?

Did he know anything about it, and why isn’t he knee deep in this?

He spends most of his time addressing the players on game day, as well as having his hand up Hird’s back making his mouth move, so why have we not heard a peep from him?

Is he just hiding out until Hird gets sacked, or does he himself have something to hide?

You “reap what you sow” is one saying that springs to mind, and with that liar Hird, and that hypoctie Thompson at the helm at Essendon….. it was always going to end in tears.

Lets hope that the players “stored samples” now get tested for every conceivable sort of chemical ..... and that Essendon, it’s board, it’s coaches, and it’s players … get much more than just a slap on the wrist if guilty.

If the AFL are serious about policing drugs in sport (and they never have been to date) ........ then they will throw the book at them.

If not, then they too are just weak pricks who are more interested in giving lip service, and should be outed as such.

It’s time for someone in authority to show some balls on the matter, but given history …..... I doubt that anyone will.

Yep

They should not be playing this Friday

Spot on Longdriver. How funny that they had the parent teacher evening at the start of term. It was PR madness that makes them look silly. I bet the PR honcho thought this was brilliant- stright out of his PR textbook.

Could you imagine the drivel…....we are looking after your son. We realy are. We don’t know what the crazy scientist is injecting him with, but he is doing a PHD…..he must be legit.

I hope Dustin Fletcher’s parents were there.

I hope Dustin Fletcher’s parents were there.

Unfortunately I believe they couldn’t make it ….... cause it was “bread and butter pudding night” at their retirement home.

Spot on Longdriver. How funnyhmm that they had the parent teacher evening at the start of term. It was PR madness that makes them look silly. I bet the PR honcho thought this was brilliant- stright out of his PR textbook.

Could you imagine the drivel…….we are looking after your son. We realy are. We don’t know what the crazy scientist is injecting him with, but he is doing a PHD…..he must be legit.

I hope Dustin Fletcher’s parents were there.

It was so future young players would come to essendon

The problem was players didnt question enough…

I think its was Pr

But in some ways they are damned if they do damned if they dont…You cant criticise for trying something! ..

To do nothing they were getting belted from pillar to post

Essendon at the moment is like a childcare centre, with an outbreak of measles on it’s hands.

They’ve now taken the extraordinary step of calling in the parents to reassure them that none of their “kiddies are sick”.

How utterly pathetic is that?

These aren’t a class of 5 yr olds that we’re talking about.

The fact that Essendon thinks they need to “inform their parents” …. just shows how panicked they are, and the sort of child-like leadership the club has, where it thinks this parent teacher meeting was required to reassure them that their “kids” are safe in their hands.

Half the players probably have kids themselves, and I couldn’t help but laugh, as I watched on the news all these middle aged mothers and fathers being ushered into the club, only to no doubt, have more lies fed to them.

Essendon are a complete and utter rabble, and have no leadership in the club. Decisions are being made out of sheer panic, and they are rightfuly ….. the laughing stock of the AFL.

There is one person at Essendon though, that we are yet to hear from, and it’s that hypocrite Mark Thompson, who appears to have gone to ground of late?

Did he know anything about it, and why isn’t he knee deep in this?

He spends most of his time addressing the players on game day, as well as having his hand up Hird’s back making his mouth move, so why have we not heard a peep from him?

Is he just hiding out until Hird gets sacked, or does he himself have something to hide?

You “reap what you sow” is one saying that springs to mind, and with that liar Hird, and that hypoctie Thompson at the helm at Essendon….. it was always going to end in tears.

Lets hope that the players “stored samples” now get tested for every conceivable sort of chemical ….. and that Essendon, it’s board, it’s coaches, and it’s players … get much more than just a slap on the wrist if guilty.

If the AFL are serious about policing drugs in sport (and they never have been to date) ........ then they will throw the book at them.

If not, then they too are just weak pricks who are more interested in giving lip service, and should be outed as such.

It’s time for someone in authority to show some balls on the matter, but given history …….. I doubt that anyone will.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

So..? Given history. Do you think they went light on Carlton’s indiscretions then GPJ..?

Was that the 2 players who used meth

??

Or salary cap issue?

drugs and peptides explained in english

Good article!

Essendon at the moment is like a childcare centre, with an outbreak of measles on it’s hands.

They’ve now taken the extraordinary step of calling in the parents to reassure them that none of their “kiddies are sick”.

How utterly pathetic is that?

These aren’t a class of 5 yr olds that we’re talking about.

The fact that Essendon thinks they need to “inform their parents” …. just shows how panicked they are, and the sort of child-like leadership the club has, where it thinks this parent teacher meeting was required to reassure them that their “kids” are safe in their hands.

Half the players probably have kids themselves, and I couldn’t help but laugh, as I watched on the news all these middle aged mothers and fathers being ushered into the club, only to no doubt, have more lies fed to them.

Essendon are a complete and utter rabble, and have no leadership in the club. Decisions are being made out of sheer panic, and they are rightfuly ….. the laughing stock of the AFL.

There is one person at Essendon though, that we are yet to hear from, and it’s that hypocrite Mark Thompson, who appears to have gone to ground of late?

Did he know anything about it, and why isn’t he knee deep in this?

He spends most of his time addressing the players on game day, as well as having his hand up Hird’s back making his mouth move, so why have we not heard a peep from him?

Is he just hiding out until Hird gets sacked, or does he himself have something to hide?

You “reap what you sow” is one saying that springs to mind, and with that liar Hird, and that hypoctie Thompson at the helm at Essendon….. it was always going to end in tears.

Lets hope that the players “stored samples” now get tested for every conceivable sort of chemical ….. and that Essendon, it’s board, it’s coaches, and it’s players … get much more than just a slap on the wrist if guilty.

If the AFL are serious about policing drugs in sport (and they never have been to date) ........ then they will throw the book at them.

If not, then they too are just weak pricks who are more interested in giving lip service, and should be outed as such.

It’s time for someone in authority to show some balls on the matter, but given history …….. I doubt that anyone will.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

So..? Given history. Do you think they went light on Carlton’s indiscretions then GPJ..?

http://www.trenthamgolf.com…
Don’t think! Do!

WE”RE BACK! FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES!

In my house silence is golden.. Duct tape is silver.

Bob McGregor Memorial Trophy winner. Trentham 2012.

If you are talking about any drug related events that someone at Carlton may have been involved with, then not in the least. I think that drugs in sport are not to be tolerated, so I’m quite happy to see anyone caught, thrown out of the sport for the term of their natural life.

If on the other hand …...... you mean in regard to the salary cap thing ….... then thanks for pulling the top off that whole cans of worms.

I have a problem with the whole concept of a “Salary Cap” .... as it goes against everything that the rest of the world stands for, eg, free competition, and the survivial of the fittest.

The salary cap hinders this, in that you have players who are not being paid what they are worth, (or could get at other clubs) ..... and you also have clubs paying way over the odds, for complete duds.

If the well managed clubs can afford to pay their players more, then why not?

The successful businesses get the best people because they recruit the best, and they are prepared to pay them accordingly, why should the AFL be any different?

You can’t sight they are trying to be fair as an excuse either, because the draw they put out each year is lop sided and not in the least bit fair.

The AFL at the same time, rob the rich well run clubs, to pay for the poor inept clubs who could barely run a Friday night pub raffle, let along a multi million dollar enterprise.

The AFL turned a blind eye to Judd’s deal with Visy, but then decided to change their mind when it was time for him to lodge a new contract. Theonly reason they acted was because of the publicity surrounding it.

So some players are not allowed these extra bonuses, yet some are no doubt currently enjoying them.

There are a myriad of ways for an AFL player to top up their income, via their contacts within their clubs . be it through paid “employment” ... or real estate, or investments, you name it.

The AFL cannot possibly hope to limit the amount that someone earns, yet they wish to pick and choose who they target.

How many players for example have been involved in a paid speaking engagement, or have earned an appearance fee.

They too are using their position as an AFL player to gain income, yet the AFL do not look at that because it would be unmanageable.

Imagine trying to keep track of every “extra” payment made to each of the 500 plus players over the course of their playing careers …. it would be an impossible task …. so the AFL, like the true hypocrites that they are …....... just pick and choose and make the odd example, before going back to put their head in the sand.

So, having said all that .. I think the AFL were quite right to take what action they did at the time against Carlton …......but they also should have then investigated every other club, and found all of the above that I’ve mentioned, and treated all of them accordingly.

They had two choices at the time …........ investigate everyone, or change the rules ….. and the AFL did neither.

Essendon at the moment is like a childcare centre, with an outbreak of measles on it’s hands.

They’ve now taken the extraordinary step of calling in the parents to reassure them that none of their “kiddies are sick”.

How utterly pathetic is that?

These aren’t a class of 5 yr olds that we’re talking about.

The fact that Essendon thinks they need to “inform their parents” …. just shows how panicked they are, and the sort of child-like leadership the club has, where it thinks this parent teacher meeting was required to reassure them that their “kids” are safe in their hands.

Half the players probably have kids themselves, and I couldn’t help but laugh, as I watched on the news all these middle aged mothers and fathers being ushered into the club, only to no doubt, have more lies fed to them.

Essendon are a complete and utter rabble, and have no leadership in the club. Decisions are being made out of sheer panic, and they are rightfuly ….. the laughing stock of the AFL.

There is one person at Essendon though, that we are yet to hear from, and it’s that hypocrite Mark Thompson, who appears to have gone to ground of late?

Did he know anything about it, and why isn’t he knee deep in this?

He spends most of his time addressing the players on game day, as well as having his hand up Hird’s back making his mouth move, so why have we not heard a peep from him?

Is he just hiding out until Hird gets sacked, or does he himself have something to hide?

You “reap what you sow” is one saying that springs to mind, and with that liar Hird, and that hypoctie Thompson at the helm at Essendon….. it was always going to end in tears.

Lets hope that the players “stored samples” now get tested for every conceivable sort of chemical ….. and that Essendon, it’s board, it’s coaches, and it’s players … get much more than just a slap on the wrist if guilty.

If the AFL are serious about policing drugs in sport (and they never have been to date) ........ then they will throw the book at them.

If not, then they too are just weak pricks who are more interested in giving lip service, and should be outed as such.

It’s time for someone in authority to show some balls on the matter, but given history …….. I doubt that anyone will.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

So..? Given history. Do you think they went light on Carlton’s indiscretions then GPJ..?

http://www.trenthamgolf.com…
Don’t think! Do!

WE”RE BACK! FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES!

In my house silence is golden.. Duct tape is silver.

Bob McGregor Memorial Trophy winner. Trentham 2012.

If you are talking about any drug related events that someone at Carlton may have been involved with, then not in the least. I think that drugs in sport are not to be tolerated, so I’m quite happy to see anyone caught, thrown out of the sport for the term of their natural life.

If on the other hand ……... you mean in regard to the salary cap thing ……. then thanks for pulling the top off that whole cans of worms.

I have a problem with the whole concept of a “Salary Cap” …. as it goes against everything that the rest of the world stands for, eg, free competition, and the survivial of the fittest.

The salary cap hinders this, in that you have players who are not being paid what they are worth, (or could get at other clubs) ..... and you also have clubs paying way over the odds, for complete duds.

If the well managed clubs can afford to pay their players more, then why not?

The successful businesses get the best people because they recruit the best, and they are prepared to pay them accordingly, why should the AFL be any different?

You can’t sight they are trying to be fair as an excuse either, because the draw they put out each year is lop sided and not in the least bit fair.

The AFL at the same time, rob the rich well run clubs, to pay for the poor inept clubs who could barely run a Friday night pub raffle, let along a multi million dollar enterprise.

The AFL turned a blind eye to Judd’s deal with Visy, but then decided to change their mind when it was time for him to lodge a new contract. Theonly reason they acted was because of the publicity surrounding it.

So some players are not allowed these extra bonuses, yet some are no doubt currently enjoying them.

There are a myriad of ways for an AFL player to top up their income, via their contacts within their clubs . be it through paid “employment” … or real estate, or investments, you name it.

The AFL cannot possibly hope to limit the amount that someone earns, yet they wish to pick and choose who they target.

How many players for example have been involved in a paid speaking engagement, or have earned an appearance fee.

They too are using their position as an AFL player to gain income, yet the AFL do not look at that because it would be unmanageable.

Imagine trying to keep track of every “extra” payment made to each of the 500 plus players over the course of their playing careers …. it would be an impossible task …. so the AFL, like the true hypocrites that they are …….... just pick and choose and make the odd example, before going back to put their head in the sand.

So, having said all that .. I think the AFL were quite right to take what action they did at the time against Carlton ……...but they also should have then investigated every other club, and found all of the above that I’ve mentioned, and treated all of them accordingly.

They had two choices at the time ……..... investigate everyone, or change the rules ….. and the AFL did neither.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

An excellent and detailed answer GPJ! I wasn’t referring to any drug indiscretions at Carlton as really anything that went on there is commonplace at all clubs in my humble uneducated opinion.

In regards to the salary cap you certainly raise some interesting points. There is no doubt we are witnessing a socialist competition and to be fair to Carlton they are probably the only club who are relatively forthright in their opinions that they don’t approve of it as such. It’s the whole “Let the peasants eat cake” scenario. Fair play to them for that.
While i’ll go on the record and say i dislike Carlton with a passion (The ‘87 GF still burns) it’s purely in a football rivalry sense. I think the AFL needs Carlton with all their swagger and bravado and opposition supporters love to knock them back a peg if they don’t back it up and all of that’s great.

I guess the downside of this is do we end up having an EPL scenario where the strongest clubs financially are the successful ones.
In saying that i think there can be an argument for this too as if a club is soundly administered then they have every right to the sucess that accompanies good governance.

I probably have a foot in both camps as while i think a strong club should be rewarded i also like to witness good competitive games of football if my team aren’t involved.

In regards the Essendon issue i just think if they’re guilty they’ll get their whack and rightly so. I for one try to look at the bigger picture and hope this isn’t the case, and it’s not for any soft spot i have for them either, i loathe them. But once again it’s purely from a club supporters standpoint.

In any case you make some excellent points.

84,85,87,and now 2012. The burning never stops Btb4…..

Essendon at the moment is like a childcare centre, with an outbreak of measles on it’s hands.

They’ve now taken the extraordinary step of calling in the parents to reassure them that none of their “kiddies are sick”.

How utterly pathetic is that?

These aren’t a class of 5 yr olds that we’re talking about.

The fact that Essendon thinks they need to “inform their parents” …. just shows how panicked they are, and the sort of child-like leadership the club has, where it thinks this parent teacher meeting was required to reassure them that their “kids” are safe in their hands.

Half the players probably have kids themselves, and I couldn’t help but laugh, as I watched on the news all these middle aged mothers and fathers being ushered into the club, only to no doubt, have more lies fed to them.

Essendon are a complete and utter rabble, and have no leadership in the club. Decisions are being made out of sheer panic, and they are rightfuly ….. the laughing stock of the AFL.

There is one person at Essendon though, that we are yet to hear from, and it’s that hypocrite Mark Thompson, who appears to have gone to ground of late?

Did he know anything about it, and why isn’t he knee deep in this?

He spends most of his time addressing the players on game day, as well as having his hand up Hird’s back making his mouth move, so why have we not heard a peep from him?

Is he just hiding out until Hird gets sacked, or does he himself have something to hide?

You “reap what you sow” is one saying that springs to mind, and with that liar Hird, and that hypoctie Thompson at the helm at Essendon….. it was always going to end in tears.

Lets hope that the players “stored samples” now get tested for every conceivable sort of chemical ….. and that Essendon, it’s board, it’s coaches, and it’s players … get much more than just a slap on the wrist if guilty.

If the AFL are serious about policing drugs in sport (and they never have been to date) ........ then they will throw the book at them.

If not, then they too are just weak pricks who are more interested in giving lip service, and should be outed as such.

It’s time for someone in authority to show some balls on the matter, but given history …….. I doubt that anyone will.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

So..? Given history. Do you think they went light on Carlton’s indiscretions then GPJ..?

http://www.trenthamgolf.com…
Don’t think! Do!

WE”RE BACK! FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES!

In my house silence is golden.. Duct tape is silver.

Bob McGregor Memorial Trophy winner. Trentham 2012.

If you are talking about any drug related events that someone at Carlton may have been involved with, then not in the least. I think that drugs in sport are not to be tolerated, so I’m quite happy to see anyone caught, thrown out of the sport for the term of their natural life.

If on the other hand ……... you mean in regard to the salary cap thing ……. then thanks for pulling the top off that whole cans of worms.

I have a problem with the whole concept of a “Salary Cap” …. as it goes against everything that the rest of the world stands for, eg, free competition, and the survivial of the fittest.

The salary cap hinders this, in that you have players who are not being paid what they are worth, (or could get at other clubs) ..... and you also have clubs paying way over the odds, for complete duds.

If the well managed clubs can afford to pay their players more, then why not?

The successful businesses get the best people because they recruit the best, and they are prepared to pay them accordingly, why should the AFL be any different?

You can’t sight they are trying to be fair as an excuse either, because the draw they put out each year is lop sided and not in the least bit fair.

The AFL at the same time, rob the rich well run clubs, to pay for the poor inept clubs who could barely run a Friday night pub raffle, let along a multi million dollar enterprise.

The AFL turned a blind eye to Judd’s deal with Visy, but then decided to change their mind when it was time for him to lodge a new contract. Theonly reason they acted was because of the publicity surrounding it.

So some players are not allowed these extra bonuses, yet some are no doubt currently enjoying them.

There are a myriad of ways for an AFL player to top up their income, via their contacts within their clubs . be it through paid “employment” … or real estate, or investments, you name it.

The AFL cannot possibly hope to limit the amount that someone earns, yet they wish to pick and choose who they target.

How many players for example have been involved in a paid speaking engagement, or have earned an appearance fee.

They too are using their position as an AFL player to gain income, yet the AFL do not look at that because it would be unmanageable.

Imagine trying to keep track of every “extra” payment made to each of the 500 plus players over the course of their playing careers …. it would be an impossible task …. so the AFL, like the true hypocrites that they are …….... just pick and choose and make the odd example, before going back to put their head in the sand.

So, having said all that .. I think the AFL were quite right to take what action they did at the time against Carlton ……...but they also should have then investigated every other club, and found all of the above that I’ve mentioned, and treated all of them accordingly.

They had two choices at the time ……..... investigate everyone, or change the rules ….. and the AFL did neither.

http://www.golflink.com.au/...
2012 Rotary Ambrose Champions “All Star Team” Member.
LD Champion – Growling Bog ’11, A Grade WV ’12, Bendigo ’12.
Albatross – 3rd hole Par 5 Beaconhills 19-11-2012 3W-6 iron.

I for one don’t want a situation where 5 or 6 clubs who have the bulk of the wealth and therefore buy 99% of the gun players. It would create an unbreakable cycle that causes boring and predictable seasons.
If no salary cap existed then the best players in the league would all end up at the same clubs- the clubs with all the $$$. These clubs with all the marquee players get all the primetime TV spots because they dominate the league. The primetime TV spots bring with it more sponsorship money which in term brings more access to gun players, and so it continues.

We’d be stuck with a scenario where the teams without much coin are constantly finishing lower on the ladder simply because they can’t get near the teams with all the money.
The good thing with finishing lower on the ladder is access to better draft picks. But this becomes pointless because any good young player, spends a couple of seasons developing at his original club only to be bought by one of the big boys when he shows signs of becoming a gun.

IMO your beef should be with ‘taxing’ football departments. Well run clubs shouldn’t have their off field spend capped to enable poorly managed clubs to keep up in areas such as recruiting, medical and fitness staff, marketing, coaching etc etc

My club for one has worked bloody hard to build up a strong board and managerial team, create a huge committed membership base, sign a tonne of long term sponsors and gather assets and cash. Good governance has enabled my club to build an enviable off field set up.
It would bother me greatly as a fan and as a long time club member if the AFL were to come out and say my club can’t spend the money its worked bloody hard to secure because other clubs are run poorly and don’t have the same money.

In short- salary cap = good. Helps to keep the best players spread all over the league (as much as possible) and helps keep the games interesting. Proposed ‘tax’ on football departments = bad.

And for the record, ‘my’ club is one of the ones with all the money and therefore access to the best players if no cap existed.

However, an endless salary cap would be handy right now given that a certain player from ‘my’ club, who can play a bit, has put his contract negotiations on hold

And for the record, ‘my’ club is one of the ones with all the money and therefore access to the best players if no cap existed.

However, an endless salary cap would be handy right now given that a certain player from ‘my’ club, who can play a bit, has put his contract negotiations on hold

Yes that’s my club too FB. Member for nearly 20 years.

84,85,87,and now 2012. The burning never stops Btb4…..

www.wgt.com join me for a game on world golf tour http://www.wgt.com/clubs/i_… i seek golf country club on wgt
member at sunshine golf club
www.golflink.com.au/Handica…

OSCAR#11

71, 76, 83, 86, 88-89, 91 and 08 do soften the blow a bit though Acca. Won’t throw in 61 as i wasn’t around for that one. But the ones you lose always hurt.

FB …........

You seem to have the notion, that in the long run given free trade, that there would be no natural attrition of clubs and teams ….. and that somehow, they would all just magically remain intact.

I think for the good of the game ….. natural attrition should be allowed to occur, if not be encouraged.

I for one, think that the AFL’s expansion isn’t working at the moment ….... in that with the likes of the GC witches hats, and GWS …......it diminishes both the on-field competition, and the games image as a whole.

We now have the situation where we are seeing a lot of half full stadiums at best …. and kids being forced to play against men out on the paddock ….. and that isn’t good for football, despite what Demetriou postulates.

If the competition was trimmed down a tad, lets see ….... perhaps each team could possibly play each other twice in the season …. how novel and equitable would that idea be?

They could even play one game each at their home ground, just to keep it all even.

You have some teams who fall to the bottom of the ladder and within a year or so are right back up there …....... but then you have those perennial cellar dwellers who, despite all manner of concessions and draft picks, and assistance, just cannot lift themselves higher than their ankles . eg the blood sucking Melbourne’s of this world (as but one example) who are nothing more than a drain on the competition, and a breeding ground for mediocrity at best

It’s these types of clubs, with their constant “fighting debt” campaigns, that are draining every successful club of money on an annual basis, that and the additional ridulous things like a “living away from home allowance” being given to the Swines.

If teams were to be trimmed down and the competition more even, then finals matches might not just be the one sided affairs they are currently in weeks one and two.

The spectacle itself would improve, for you would have a more highly concentrated skill base at each club and on display at every game.

Going back to the salary cap though ....... and just who is the AFL to say how much someone can earn, and how they can earn it?

Look at todays paper in regard to Joel Selwood, and his $30K deal that has got knocked on the head by the AFL.

The AFL are all to eager to put his face on playing cards and get a slice of that action .. yet he can’t do exactly the same thing for a company of his own choosing?

The sooner one of them has the balls to take the AFL to court, (a la Silvio Foschini) the better,.... and the quicker the AFL house of smoke and mirrors falls down.

Perennial cellar dwellers? Please! Off the top of my head, I think all of the “established” clubs bar one (Richmond) has played finals in the last 10 years haven’t they? And in the last 10 years we’ve had 7 different premiers with no back to backs. That’s a pretty even spread.
In the last two years, for the first time since the mid 90’s, clubs didn’t have a 50/50 chance of seeing September action. To me, it seems like a better comp when you don’t start the season with a 50/50 chance of playing finals. Wouldn’t you agree that last years finals series was one of the more even ones in recent times, with 3 out of the 4 games in week one still being ‘alive’ at ¾ time? Week two definitely had two cracker jack games.

Furthermore without these ‘witches hats’ and teams full of kids, the AFL wouldn’t be the business it is today and therefore in no position to pay players what they get paid. No media outlet would pay however many billions for fewer games, if the AFL were to jettison a bit of dead weight as you suggest. Sure they’re not very good now, but give them a couple of years and they could be anything.
The system as it currently works tries to ensure teams aren’t ever down for too long, that they have a chance to bottom out and bounce back quickly. If clubs choose to piss draft picks up the wall or make trades that seem daft to everyone except the club, that’s their prerogative. But its hardly the fault of the salary cap system that Melbourne decided to pay Chris Dawes a (reported) fortune whilst other blokes who aren’t hopeless are getting paid what most might perceive to be unders. An open player payment system won’t change that. Some blokes will always get paid more than they’re worth, whilst others will be getting short changed.

In my opinion, the Total Player Payment system is as fair and equitable as it can be. Except for the Sydney cost of living allowance. If that were actually a true concern, Melbourne based clubs would be able to pay more than Adelaide based clubs (for example) since it costs more to live here compared to Adelaide.

As for the crowd issue, I agree that its not a great look playing in stadiums that are only 25% full. In the northern states crowds come and go with the tides, depending on success. Watch Lions home games from 10 years ago and the GABBA had the full house sign out every week. Now, because they’re not winning every week they have empty seats. I think that as the GC and GWS pick up, the crowds will come. Unfortunately I think Qld & NSW will probably always be a fickle supporter base
In Melbourne I think its pretty obvious that we need a ‘boutique’ stadium for teams like Melbourne, The Bulldogs, North & St Kilda where they can play interstate teams and not have 25% occupancy. It would be fantastic if the league built a new stadium, say 30k capacity or pumped some money into Princess Park and returned it to AFL standard.

I’m not going to bother discussing the fixture as to me its pointless. Even the AFL themselves recognise that its not totally fair, but what can they do? They’re committed to the current scheduling as part of the media rights. I guess I just think back to the old adage that if you want to be premier you just have to beat whoever you play.

Rant over!

Time to get really serious and have 2 divisions of 12 teams with the bottom 2 relegated from division 1 each year. Everyone plays each opponent home and away. No perennial cellar dwellers get axed or relocated and there is more Tv content. 2 teams in Tassie plus ACT and Darwin. Then 3rd teams in WA and SA and away we go.

Tail-end of the season would get very interesting and tense