The particular "supplement"James Hird pressed his players to receive by injection--against the club doctor's advice--is an immunostimulive thymosin drug, still being investigated by medical researchers. The drug's potential to accelerate healing of muscle tissue also causes liver enzyme induction, which was ultimately reflected in the rapid development of soft tissue injuries and
Essendon's decline in performance: they were 8:1 and second on the ladder by May of 2012 then physically suffered the consequences, losing the last seven games.
While some TV personalities still defend Essendon's management (and their keeping Dr. Ried out of the loop), while reserving criticism of ASADA, the agency ended up protecting 38 players from the yet to be determined long-term effects of the peptide on the immune system. If the players involved later develop a chronic myopathy, I can see a long line of ambulance-chasing lawyers knocking on the doors of those 38 players. Hopefully they will not suffer any complications down the road.
It will be interesting to see how well the returning players fare in 2017. Let's hope that the culture of win-at-any-cost that Sheedy left at the club will dissipate and the qualities of skill and courage are once again extolled.
Essendon's decline in performance: they were 8:1 and second on the ladder by May of 2012 then physically suffered the consequences, losing the last seven games.
While some TV personalities still defend Essendon's management (and their keeping Dr. Ried out of the loop), while reserving criticism of ASADA, the agency ended up protecting 38 players from the yet to be determined long-term effects of the peptide on the immune system. If the players involved later develop a chronic myopathy, I can see a long line of ambulance-chasing lawyers knocking on the doors of those 38 players. Hopefully they will not suffer any complications down the road.
It will be interesting to see how well the returning players fare in 2017. Let's hope that the culture of win-at-any-cost that Sheedy left at the club will dissipate and the qualities of skill and courage are once again extolled.