Poll on Essendon's Official AFL Punishment 27/8

[Tiger2709]

I think they got off light, but the AFL maybe taking into consideration the imminent ASADA infractions. I'll hold my ire until they close their investigation.

This is a good point if the players receive infractions then the club could be set back a long way.

 

[rdhopkins2]

The sun rose for another day, giving us further chance to reflect on the AFL penalty.
My thoughts haven't changed drastically although I think 9th was a betting market cop out & the Bombers should have been stripped of all points atleast for 2013.

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

I really hope the afl and asada have something up there sleeve regarding infractions

 

[shiva25]

The sun rose for another day, giving us further chance to reflect on the AFL penalty.
My thoughts haven't changed drastically although I think 9th was a betting market cop out & the Bombers should have been stripped of all points atleast for 2013.

Agree. They needed to be stripped of their points which means finishing bottom. Cant understand why theyve been relegated to ninth. The rest of the penaltys seemed fair

 

[Argy]

The AFL have only charged EFC under rule 1.6 BTGID. This allows them to impose further penalties when additional evidence arises that confirms they are drug cheats.

 

[Superduperouzel]

They deserve to be the most hated club in the AFL. Whatever way they word it, poor governance, failure to protect players, unsafe working environment , the greater football community see them as drug cheats. They´ve been publicly humiliated and found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute. The legacy of this will last years and they deserve the shame and the pain.

 

[AstroboyUK]

How many times does it have to be said? Interim ****ing report, IInterim ****ing report,Interim ****ing report,Interim ****ing report,Interim ****ing report,Interim ****ing report,Interim ****ing report,Interim ****ing report,

They have not 'got off' or 'got away' with ANYTHING. They have been found totally guilty of their first set of infractions, based on the only infractions that could be acted on based on the INTERIM REPORT. The second set of infractions are just around the corner when the FULL REPORT is issued. These are going to be far more serious. These are the ones where the DRUGS, not governance comes under scrutiny. This is where Essendon are totally screwed.

Guys we are only at the half time break here... the premiership quarter is yet to start. These penalities are only going to be about 25% of the pain Essendon is going to cop. Reserve your judgements about Essendon (team, club, players, coaches) getting away with anything until the Full report is issued and the new infractions placed.

 

[AstroboyUK]

What would the punishment have been if they were not due to play finals this year? If they were coming say 11th, they couldn't take finals off them. Would that have meant points taken away next season or something?

I dare say it would (rightly) have been treated differently. The AFL had ASADA issue the interim report so that it could at least act on 'something', in order to avoid the farce of Essendon playing finals. It does seem to have confused both the wise and the dumb, but that is the logic. They needed to protect the league from Essendon in the finals and got an interim report so that they could at least get them for bad governance early enough and not have to wait another 3-4 months for the full report. This has given some people the mistaken impression Essendon have not had to face up to the really serious charges (as if endangering your player's health is not serious enough!)... but they will in due course. The Full Report is going to see them back at the commission pleading for both players careers and their own place in the league for 1-2 years.

If Essendon were not going to make the finals the urgency for the interim report would not have been there, and quite possibly it would not have been issued at all. The AFL pled for it for the benefit of the 17 other teams and their supporters. If Essendon were going to screw up the season, the AFL were determined to at least nail Essendon for something and not let them play finals. If no finals, then they could have let it go on a bit longer before acting.

 

[rdhopkins2]

Unfortunately my poll on whether this board thinks sanctions may follow from ASADA has disappeared much like Essendon's medical records
Anyhow it looks like many if you think there may be more to come, to make a sorrier affair even sorrier.

 

[Bazza37]

If Essendon players receive infraction notices the AFL will lose Million$.
Of course like any business the AFL will simply pass on additional costs to the consumer.
Higher ticket & membership prices for 2014. Thanks Golden Boy

 

[Chameleon75]

Not sure consumers would be able to absorb significatly higher prices right now. Probably need to cut distribution of funds on top of it. Might see some weaker clubs struggle to survive.