Nick's Collingwood Bulletin Board

To be honest, I'm so far over this whole thing... I say give them a 3 month ban slap on the wrist, and let the game go on without ever mentioning this again.

Hird on the other hand, as the instigator... I'd like to see him sacked.

Jobe and his Brownlow... I've got no opinion on anymore.

I don't understand why the Essendon players have so much sympathy. I think it's denial that athletes in 'our' sport could have continuously cheated just like cyclists, sprinters, swimmers and others.

If you look at the history of serious doping charges the athletes, their representatives and their fans regularly go into denial and spend huge amounts of effort on legal challenges and PR spin before accepting the sanctions they most often deserve.

I hate cheating and the price of a clean and fair footy comp is for these players to be banned for a lengthy period just like other athletes. It's a tough policy, strict liability, but without it doping rules were absolutely useless as every athlete blamed the unfair advantages they got on their doctor, mother, other athlete or aliens.

If the AFL let these players off with a ban that falls almost completely over the pre season and includes ridiculous backdating and wink wink deals I will be appalled. The rumours are rife that they'll miss a few games. Similar to someone elbowing a player high. This has been planned, systematic, long term doping at the highest level followed by cover up and denial.

Essendon has a reputation of ignoring the rules and being arrogant. The other clubs are seriously pissed off at their disrespect for the rules. They have a history of doing whatever they feel like with the salary cap and medical testing of draft nominees. It's time everyone who was part of the doping plan was removed and punished adequately and new management brought in who agree to the rules and don't carry this misplaced idea that Hird is untouchable and the club is above the other clubs. It is also time their supporters woke up and accepted reality that their club intended to cheat and did cheat and their coach organised the cheating.

- and that their club helped cover up the cheating .

GUILTY from top to bottom & completely unrepentant .

They must receive the biggest whack ever handed out by the AFL



GO PIES

...

What did Saad get?

If they get let off it will be a disgrace.

Hird should be banned for life for overseeing the program and then putting the whole footy community through this bullshit.

He is a complete wanker

Saad received an 18-month suspension and could have easily received a two-year suspension under the rules and regulations that allow ASADA to impose two-year suspensions on those being found guilty for using prohibited substances listed by ASADA's code.

Luckily for Saad, his punishment wasn't that severe by six months and hence he has the opportunity to potentially restart his AFL career soon.

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/f ... 0pcoi.html