Essendon FC

[Rookie]

Now the chairman David Evans had fallen on his sword, how many is that now 4?

Surely this needs to come to a conclusion sooner rather than later.

[Bomber]

What doesnt kill you, can make you stronger.

[justmyopinion]

Drug cheats will never prosper.

[Bomber]

Drug cheats will never prosper.

I think you're looking for one of the cyclists threads

[bapa]

Now the chairman David Evans had fallen on his sword, how many is that now 4?

Surely this needs to come to a conclusion sooner rather than later.

as much as i want to agree with u on this, I dont think evans health is something to joke about!
its reported that he has a major health isssue to deal with


however, with Hird's lawyers coming out and stating that the AFL is to blame, i think essendon are goin to get away with it!

ESSENDON coach James Hird won't stand down before the ASADA report into the club's drugs saga is handed down.
That's the view of Bombers great Tim Watson, father of club captain Jobe.

Hird is increasingly isolated after the shock resignation of chairman David Evans last night, prompted in part by a physical breakdown in the changerooms after Essendon's match against Hawthorn on Friday night.

Evans was treated by club medical staff after complaining of breathlessness, having a light head and struggling with his vision after the match.

The stress of the five-month investigation into alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs, combined with revelations that he and coach James Hird were at loggerheads over conversations leading up to Essendon "self-reporting", led to Mr Evans' health deteriorating.

His stunning resignation happened less than two weeks before the ASADA-AFL investigation report is to be completed.

Asked on Channel 7's Game Day if Evans' departure would shake Hird's resolve, Watson said: "I don’t think so, I don’t think that’s changed at all.

"He and David had a strong working relationship, they’ve been friends for 20 years … obviously this has taken a toll on everyone, he spoke about that post-game on Friday night and obviously David one of those people in his mind at the time and there are others too so he, like everyone else, would like this to conclude.

"But what he has shown throughout all this, James, is he’s been stoic, he’s been strong and he’s stood his ground and he’ll maintain that."

Evans' resignation has left Essendon reeling - it now has lost its chief executive and chairman within a matter of months.

Evans did not refer to personal issues or his disagreement with Hird.

He described the events as a tragedy, but was confident the club would survive.

"I strongly believe that the best thing for the club at this stage is for a new chairperson in order to see through the next phase of this challenging and difficult time for our club," Mr Evans said.

"Leadership is tough at times and I have tried to lead with fairness and integrity and at the same time acknowledging responsibility to make the right decisions.

"I am confident that this decision is one of those."

"What is happening at our club right now is a tragedy, but I know that it will survive," Mr Evans said

Bombers officials have been deeply concerned with Mr Evans' stress levels for several days.

Watson said the drug crisis had taken a huge toll on Evans.

"I just think he's completely and utterly burnt out,'' Watson said.

"From what I now know to be true, David has been struggling with his health for some time - he's exhausted

"He's been under enormous strain and stress going back five months now.

"This was something he would work on full-time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week if necessary and he's maintained that.''

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said Evans had been a "great chairman" and said he wasn't shocked by yesterday's news.

"I’d obviously spoken to David on a number of occasions. He’s made a decision that’s taken into account his family, his professional career and obviously he’s personal well-being and so we respect that

.Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said he hoped Evans was not lost to football.

"He’s gone through some hard circumstances that we all know at the moment but he’s always put the club first. He’s been a wonderful president, a wonderful person," McGuire said on Game Day.

An emotional Hird was referring to Mr Evans at his post-match press conference on Friday night when he referred to the doping investigation "affecting people's lives permanently".

Hird left Mr Evans' side in the medical room to attend the press conference

"It has got to the point that, if it's not over very quickly, it's going to affect people's lives permanently," Hird said.

Hird on Saturday night did not want to comment on his friend's resignation.

However, others paid tribute to Mr Evans.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Mr Evans had shown outstanding leadership and tremendous personal courage through a confronting, difficult period

"They've not only lost the club president, they've lost a friend and a real ally."

Mr Evans had been under increased pressure since the Herald Sun on Thursday revealed differing versions of a telephone call he had with Mr Demetriou at Mr Evans' home on February 4, the night before the Bombers announced they wanted an investigation into the drug-taking claims.

On Friday, the Herald Sun revealed the differences between Mr Evans and Hird.

Mr Demetriou again denied he had tipped off Essendon about the then-impending Australian Crime Commission report into drugs in sport and that Essendon was the club named in the report.

Mr Demetriou, who is to fly to America on Sunday for a fact-finding mission, said the AFL would be taking legal action against the Herald Sun over its reporting of the situation.

In recent days, Mr Demetriou said he couldn't have tipped off Essendon because he didn't know which club was in ASADA's sights.

He said the call with Mr Evans did not include discussion about Essendon being the club named in the ACC report.

"He rang me to see if I knew any more and I said, 'I don't know any more David, I don't know who the club is'," Mr Demetriou said.

"I returned his phone call at 9pm that night.

"To say that I rang David Evans that night and said, 'I'm tipping you off that ASADA's about to investigate you' ... it simply didn't happen."

[Rookie]

I wasn't joking about Evans's health? No doubt though the stress of what's happened this year would have contributed to his health.

[Delete Your Account]

I wasn't joking about Evans's health? No doubt though the stress of what's happened this year would have contributed to his health.

I heard he's lost between 10-15 kgs throughout the season.

Turns out AOD-9604 does work!

[bapa]

I wasn't joking about Evans's health? No doubt though the stress of what's happened this year would have contributed to his health.

I heard he's lost between 10-15 kgs throughout the season.

Turns out AOD-9604 does work!

he wasn't taking it, but ok

[Bomber]

at Robinson last night asking Hird to speak the truth. Yeah, I suppose I'd be pissed off if I got the sack for incompetence.

Ever thought it may be in his and everyone's best interests to wait another week or so until the report comes out before rabbiting on about stuff?

Talk about $$$$ for doing an interview for TV ratings.

[Bomber]

at Robinson last night asking Hird to speak the truth. Yeah, I suppose I'd be pissed off if I got the sack for incompetence.

Ever thought it may be in his and everyone's best interests to wait another week or so until the report comes out before rabbiting on about stuff?

Talk about $$$$ for doing an interview for TV ratings.

[PDog]

at Robinson last night asking Hird to speak the truth. Yeah, I suppose I'd be pissed off if I got the sack for incompetence.

Ever thought it may be in his and everyone's best interests to wait another week or so until the report comes out before rabbiting on about stuff?

Talk about $$$$ for doing an interview for TV ratings.

The bloke is desperate, the whole thing reeked of desperation to me.

He's unemployable at the moment, needs a quick buck.

[bapa]

looks like the Essendon players are goin to get off!

thats a sensitive deal, the club should be sanctioned, not the players!

[Nervous Norvus]

Why should the players not be sanctioned?

[Rookie]

Exactly right, King Kurt got 11 games for his part of the scandal so surely the players if found guilty of taking illegal drugs should get punished

[Bomber]

Exactly right, King Kurt got 11 games for his part of the scandal so surely the players if found guilty of taking illegal drugs should get punished

Knowingly cheating is one thing............Kurt got what he deserved.

[MegaBonus]

so which of the following player excuse sit well with you?

"they made me do it"
"I didnt know what the club was injecting me with"

at what stage does the individual take responsibility?

[bapa]

so which of the following player excuse sit well with you?

"they made me do it"
"I didnt know what the club was injecting me with"

at what stage does the individual take responsibility?

The ASADA report sggets 4-6 players could be in trouble
The club will be hit with a massive fine

[PDog]

Ignorance is no excuse.

[bapa]

Ignorance is no excuse.

Agree, but the players will get off, just watch and see.

as if the AFL will ban 24-30 players

[PDog]

Ignorance is no excuse.

Agree, but the players will get off, just watch and see.

as if the AFL will ban 24-30 players

Absolutely agree, unfortunately! Weak as piss, makes a mockery of the drugs in sport policy. Hird better be given the boot although i doubt that too, he runs the show, always has.

[Delete Your Account]

Ignorance is no excuse.

Agree, but the players will get off, just watch and see.

as if the AFL will ban 24-30 players

The Bombres players weren't all on same doping schedule. It's quite possible that only 6 players received the illegal injections, whereas the other 38 players on the list got the correct legal stuff.

[PDog]

Ignorance is no excuse.

Agree, but the players will get off, just watch and see.

as if the AFL will ban 24-30 players

The Bombres players weren't all on same doping schedule. It's quite possible that only 6 players received the illegal injections, whereas the other 38 players on the list got the correct legal stuff.

Good point.

[Googes]

Ignorance is no excuse.

Agree, but the players will get off, just watch and see.

as if the AFL will ban 24-30 players

Afl has a policy. That is ask the club doctor for the ok before anything is taken. If you don't ask you are stupid and deserve the maximum. Going on the policy, bombers have failed the players and are expecting a whack for that. Imagine if all the players were suspended and sue the club. Where are the bombers going to get 200 million from (potential legal fees).

[Bomber]

Where are the bombers going to get 200 million from (potential legal fees).

Maybe they can just sell whatever dope they have left over.

[Bomber]

Getting very ugly now. One thing certain - the fat champagne Demetriou cant be trusted.

[GaylyColouredStumps]

The Bombres

Is this the new Hispanic franchise?

[Delete Your Account]

The Bombres

Is this the new Hispanic franchise?

I spell it like their cheersquad.

[GaylyColouredStumps]

The Bombres

Is this the new Hispanic franchise?

I spell it like their cheersquad.

nice one

[Rookie]

Getting very ugly now. One thing certain - the fat champagne Demetriou cant be trusted.

Regardless of the outcome here someone/someone's will lose their job, whether it be Hird or Demitreou a head will roll

[Ernie Cooksey]

Bacon