Hird and Drugs

[AFEV]

Demetriou confirmed it was not against AFL rules for coaches to use performance-enhancing drugs, provided they didn't encourage or direct players to use them.

Demetriou's latest comments came after email exchanges emerged that show Hird put rules in place for the use of supplements within the Essendon program.

They included strict stipulations that the supplements must not harm the players, must not be illegal under WADA and ASADA guidelines and that the club must get player permission before using them.

That second quote actually IS a recent development which is a major part of the story. Unlike the Hird stuff which has been circulating for like 2+ months.

[Mat0369]

For the record, IV drips are not actually against ASADA/WADA law. I believe the limit is 50ml every 6 hours for IV drips.

That being said, IV is a bad look for the club and honestly not sure it is worth playing around with something that is widely considered 'dirty'.

Just realised I may have misinterpreted your post and you were saying administering certain substances (which are legal when taken orally) via IV is illegal which is entirely true. Yet to be seen if that's what we were taking though.

They are not against ASADA and WADA but they are against the laws of the AFL. I remember reading a while back that when the AFL also launched their investigation into the practices at the Bombers, the first thing that they looked into was the reported use of IV drips during the week of the ANZAC day game prep. The use of IV drips by clubs on players in recovery is illegal under the laws of the AFL. So while all the supplements might have been above board, the actual practice will receive the most scrutiny and might get them into some trouble.

[Mat0369]

I found the story

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/more-news/iv-drip-use-at-windy-hill-enough-to-breach-doping-law/story-e6frf9jf-1226578316393

ESSENDON seems certain to be found guilty of a breach of the AFL Anti-Doping Code if even one player admits being given legal intravenous infusions at Windy Hill.

Whether those infusions carried legal drugs or banned peptides, it is the manner in which they entered they body that would breach the AFL's code.

The AFL's code makes it clear intravenous infusions are "prohibited except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital admissions or clinical investigations

Sorry for the confusion, but this is what I meant. Even if what they took was legal, the practice was illegal. This is the only thing Essendon have appeared to have done wrong thus far.

[AFEV]

Ah there you go, didn't know that. Thanks for clearing it up Matt. Must say it's peculiar the AFL and ASADA/WADA have conflicting rules on the matter.

[jamfrank]

"I think as he goes through his thought process, which I'm sure is probably a very stressful time for him and his family, that (standing down) is an option he has to consider," the League CEO said.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-12/think-about-it-james

Demetriou has apparently suggested Hird step down. As a freo supporter, all this media ruckus couldn't have come at a better time. Puts a little bit more pressure on the players to perform tonight.

[T Dog]

Big Andy D will have info about all this that is not out in the public forum I reckon.. ???

[henry]

"I think as he goes through his thought process, which I'm sure is probably a very stressful time for him and his family, that (standing down) is an option he has to consider," the League CEO said.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-12/think-about-it-james

Demetriou has apparently suggested Hird step down. As a freo supporter, all this media ruckus couldn't have come at a better time. Puts a little bit more pressure on the players to perform tonight.

I reckon freo will absolutely smash them tonight. Of course, it could go the otherway as a team backed into a corner can be very hard to beat. Either way I'm sure the players and Hird will be glad to focus on footy.

[DazBurg]

i said earlier in the week essendon would win
now with this scandal i still think essendon will win
probably more so now
remember the raw emotion of the bombers round 1 against the crows after months of this circling?
well I'm betting it stirs it all up again and the boys will be raring to go
if they aren't that is what will disappoint me the most

[jamfrank]

It's going to be pretty wet here in Perth tonight. Could change things up quite a bit - Bomber's with two ruckmen, Docker's not really used to playing/training in the rain.

[ossie85]

Still advantages Dockers, the Bombers play under a roof

[BB67th]

"I think as he goes through his thought process, which I'm sure is probably a very stressful time for him and his family, that (standing down) is an option he has to consider," the League CEO said.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-12/think-about-it-james

Demetriou has apparently suggested Hird step down. As a freo supporter, all this media ruckus couldn't have come at a better time. Puts a little bit more pressure on the players to perform tonight.

It is an interesting situation the Bombers find themselves in. Tony Jones made this point on the Footy Show last night, that especially seeing as they have Bomber Thompson as an assistant, perhaps Hird steps aside until the findings of the investigation come out? In a lot of people's minds though and especially in the media, this would be like him giving a guilty plea. Also it doesn't look like these investigations will be done until at least August so effectively Hird would not coach for the whole season. It's an interesting situation for sure.

[AFEV]

"I think as he goes through his thought process, which I'm sure is probably a very stressful time for him and his family, that (standing down) is an option he has to consider," the League CEO said.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-12/think-about-it-james

Demetriou has apparently suggested Hird step down. As a freo supporter, all this media ruckus couldn't have come at a better time. Puts a little bit more pressure on the players to perform tonight.

It is an interesting situation the Bombers find themselves in. Tony Jones made this point on the Footy Show last night, that especially seeing as they have Bomber Thompson as an assistant, perhaps Hird steps aside until the findings of the investigation come out? In a lot of people's minds though and especially in the media, this would be like him giving a guilty plea. Also it doesn't look like these investigations will be done until at least August so effectively Hird would not coach for the whole season. It's an interesting situation for sure.

Hird has already stated he won't be stepping down.

[BB67th]

"I think as he goes through his thought process, which I'm sure is probably a very stressful time for him and his family, that (standing down) is an option he has to consider," the League CEO said.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-12/think-about-it-james

Demetriou has apparently suggested Hird step down. As a freo supporter, all this media ruckus couldn't have come at a better time. Puts a little bit more pressure on the players to perform tonight.

It is an interesting situation the Bombers find themselves in. Tony Jones made this point on the Footy Show last night, that especially seeing as they have Bomber Thompson as an assistant, perhaps Hird steps aside until the findings of the investigation come out? In a lot of people's minds though and especially in the media, this would be like him giving a guilty plea. Also it doesn't look like these investigations will be done until at least August so effectively Hird would not coach for the whole season. It's an interesting situation for sure.

Hird has already stated he won't be stepping down.

I think it is more of a question now actually of whether or not the board will take him off duty while the investigation is under way.

[kilbluff1985]

Still advantages Dockers, the Bombers play under a roof

because it rains heaps in Perth  ::)

[ossie85]

Still advantages Dockers, the Bombers play under a roof

because it rains heaps in Perth  ::)

Well, unless its North v geelong, doesn't rain much under a roof either!