News Jnr Rioli - He’s back.

[Ambrose Burnside]

We should flood all comment sections with #freewillie the same way all comment sections on any article related to Collingwood and racism have been flooded by those offended that they can't call people chimps anymore.

Willie might then get a shout-out on news.com.au

 

[Obeanie1]

I don't think ASADA/WADA cares.

The AFL might, but ultimately ASADA will fight until they get a penalty that's acceptable to them.

And FWIW, I don't think the Collingwood issues will have any impact whatsoever on what happens and the timing of any announcements on Rioli.

The AFL hands down the penalty and ASADA can appeal sure.

Both are Australian organizations and so understand the 'complexities'.

And I would almost guarantee Gill does not want to come down hard on an indigenous player at this point in time. It's all about the look and the brand remember.

 

[Sw3Et]

 

[FKASC]

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

We should've drafted him straight out of the U18's so we would've had 3 extra years of him before he was suspended.

 

[Coasters7]

Ridiculous at this point. What happens if he’s free to play this year? He’s had a shit lead in to the season anyway so you’d almost write at least the first half off. Now I know that’s unlikely but the likely length of ban shouldn’t impact when it’s handed out.. and to be handing out any sort of ban a month and a half out from the season, after having a year and a half to sort it out, is extremely poor form.

At the latest, the hearing should’ve been done a few weeks after our season had been completed and a decision made by December, before preseason started. It shouldn’t matter if the likely outcome is Willie not playing this year, that’s just a cop out from everyone involved.

 

[matthew_s]

Ridiculous at this point. What happens if he’s free to play this year? He’s had a sh*t lead in to the season anyway so you’d almost write at least the first half off. Now I know that’s unlikely but the likely length of ban shouldn’t impact when it’s handed out.. and to be handing out any sort of ban a month and a half out from the season, after having a year and a half to sort it out, is extremely poor form.

At the latest, the hearing should’ve been done a few weeks after our season had been completed and a decision made by December, before preseason started. It shouldn’t matter if the likely outcome is Willie not playing this year, that’s just a cop out from everyone involved.

It's an open and shut case. The hearing should have been done before LAST season started.

 

[Cuzz09]

Hopefully he can at least train soon

 

[BigVic]

March will be 18 months since Willie last played a game of footy.

 

[Keys]

I don’t know if this is typical for how PED scandals are adjudicated in Australia. Regardless, this is some straight up, grade A, bullshit.

Can’t imagine any scenario where this is acceptable.

Theres been a handful of PED cases in the AFL none of which have had quick decisions but even by their own tardy standards this case has been ridiculously slow - around 12 months has been normal for others

Let the guy know his fate so whatever the penalty Rioli can have some certainty in his life and plan accordingly

 

[Keys]

Oh and 520

 

[Breva_]

This has gone on so long that JoshWoodenSpoon has been permabanned and unbanned before Willy has received an answer.

Permanent, it means forever.

 

[Obeanie1]

It's an open and shut case. The hearing should have been done before LAST season started.

If it is was it would have been sorted.

All parties would be in agreement and penalty handed down.

The fact its taking so long suggests its not a simple case.

 

[southcoast]

If it is was it would have been sorted.

All parties would be in agreement and penalty handed down.

The fact its taking so long suggests its not a simple case.

I think behind the scenes negotiations about the ‘appropriate’ penalty are being had between AFL & ASADA.

Since hearing was held AFL tribunal has been able to reduce the suspension by a week due to extenuating circumstances. They are on a roll now.

#freewillie


Willie Rioli - a miscarriage of justice. Suspended longer than he played.

 

[JohnW]

Hopefully the AFL are thinking WTF did you do about ASADA and the tester.

 

[DanWCE]

Wonder if ASADA/the employee are at some fault for how things unfolded and now there's a lot of back room posturing and finger pointing trying to work out how to handle it?

 

[Broken_Chairs]

I think behind the scenes negotiations about the ‘appropriate’ penalty are being had between AFL & ASADA.

Since hearing was held AFL tribunal has been able to reduce the suspension by a week due to extenuating circumstances. They are on a roll now.

#freewillie


Willie Rioli - a miscarriage of justice. Suspended longer than he played.

The AFL would definitely want to negotiate a penalty and manufacture an outcome they prefer.

But honestly I don't believe ASADA would come to the table like that, undermines the proper judicial process.

 

[Obeanie1]

The AFL would definitely want to negotiate a penalty and manufacture an outcome they prefer.

But honestly I don't believe ASADA would come to the table like that, undermines the proper judicial process.

If thats the case then the Australian judicial process is being undermined every single day.

Why wouldnt the AFL attempt to get the best outcome for them?

And right now throwing the book at an indigenous athlete for what allegedly occurred would be dead set the worst timing imaginable by AFL House.

 

[Broken_Chairs]

If thats the case then the Australian judicial process is being undermined every single day.

Why wouldnt the AFL attempt to get the best outcome for them?

And right now throwing the book at an indigenous athlete for what allegedly occurred would be dead set the worst timing imaginable by AFL House.

Oh the AFL would 100% be gunning for an outcome they want - I just don't think ASADA would be negotiating with the judge.

 

[Ochre]

Ben Cousins had 520 disposals in the 2003 season where he was runner up in the Brownlow by 1 vote. There will be no further discussion of him in this thread

 

[Obeanie1]

Oh the AFL would 100% be gunning for an outcome they want - I just don't think ASADA would be negotiating with the judge.

Bet that ASADA arent arrogantly dictating the outcome either.

The simple fact it is taking so long suggests there are complexities and a final ruling and penalty are not agreed.

Or they are playing silly games.

 

[Chris_6678]

$520 = 670.90 in Aus $ so my guess is day 671 we will get an update of some sorts.

 

[Broken_Chairs]

Bet that ASADA arent arrogantly dictating the outcome either.

The simple fact it is taking so long suggests there are complexities and a final ruling and penalty are not agreed.

Or they are playing silly games.

Not suggesting ASADA are arrogantly dictating the outcome at all.

What I'm saying is from ASADA's perspective they've presented their argument for suspension & will be awaiting the judicial process to take it's course. They won't be negotiating with the AFL tribunal around what suspension they'll accept as a minimum because that would undermine procedural fairness.

 

[Obeanie1]

Not suggesting ASADA are arrogantly dictating the outcome at all.

What I'm saying is from ASADA's perspective they've presented their argument for suspension & will be awaiting the judicial process to take it's course. They won't be negotiating with the AFL tribunal around what suspension they'll accept as a minimum because that would undermine procedural fairness.

ASADA are the procecution and the AFL the judge who rules and determines the penalty.

As I mentioned every day in Australia judges are asked to consider the background and character of the accussed in determining appropriate and effective penalties.

AFL are stuck between a rock (ASADA) and a hard place (public perception / ratings / current events)

 

[Broken_Chairs]

ASADA are the procecution and the AFL the judge who rules and determines the penalty.

As I mentioned every day in Australia judges are asked to consider the background and character of the accussed in determining appropriate and effective penalties.

AFL are stuck between a rock (ASADA) and a hard place (public perception / ratings / current events)

Yes I know & I agree with you - I'm not really sure what we're discussing here?

I was simply responding to suggestions that the the hold up is caused by backroom negotiations & argy bargy between the AFL & ASADA.

Yes the judge(s) will need to weigh up all factors, including each parties position. But the judges aren't on the line asking ASADA whether they'll accept this or that punishment.