Hird and Drugs

[DazBurg]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-14/hird-should-keep-coaching

i didn't know till i read that article they also accusing simon goodwin of taking the same drugs  :o
cannot wait for hirdy and co to be able to have their say

[BB67th]

Now I'm not saying that Hird is guilty here, but I saw an interesting point in the paper the other day.

Pretty much the reporter was talking about how Hird is in a pretty fortunate situation. Only because he is the golden child of the Essendon Football Club is the reason he still has his job. Because of having such a clean image in the past, no one can believe that he actually took drugs. If say, Matthew Knights was still coaching, would he be given the same chance Hird has? What if it happened at Melbourne right now? I bet if something like that happened at Hawthorn a couple of years ago, Kennett would have sacked him straight away.

Also, I think the fact that Essendon have won their first 3 games is another reason why he is still there. If they had have lost their first few games, he would be portrayed as a bad figure who had no clue, but, to me, because he has won the games, he suddenly couldn't have taken drugs, because he's a winner.

Now again, I don't think Hird is guilty, but I think he should step aside while the investigation takes place. I'm not saying that because I think he took drugs, but the weight that he would have on his shoulders right now would be immense. If you look at the impact that a player's contract negotiations have on them during a season, then think what Hird would be feeling right now. This investigation probably won't be completed until about August, so effectively that is the whole season Hirdy will have this cloud over him for.

I think that really he should step aside, and Essendon do have Bomber Thompson there who can take over while he is investigated.

I did read somewhere though that the board won't force him out. They fear the member backlash would be so big, that they would call a general meeting and sack the entire board.

I don't think that Hird is guilty, and that these text messages and emails have been taken out of context in the media. Still, by going on what Demetriou said the other day (and he has had preliminary briefings by ASADA), it looks like Essendon have done something wrong and will be punished. They will be charged with something, whether it be drugs or bringing the game into disrepute and I don't think Hird will be the coach next season. I hope he is still there though, as really the whole thing has been unfair on him.

[coolfugitiv0]

Now I'm not saying that Hird is guilty here, but I saw an interesting point in the paper the other day.

Pretty much the reporter was talking about how Hird is in a pretty fortunate situation. Only because he is the golden child of the Essendon Football Club is the reason he still has his job. Because of having such a clean image in the past, no one can believe that he actually took drugs. If say, Matthew Knights was still coaching, would he be given the same chance Hird has? What if it happened at Melbourne right now? I bet if something like that happened at Hawthorn a couple of years ago, Kennett would have sacked him straight away.

Also, I think the fact that Essendon have won their first 3 games is another reason why he is still there. If they had have lost their first few games, he would be portrayed as a bad figure who had no clue, but, to me, because he has won the games, he suddenly couldn't have taken drugs, because he's a winner.

Now again, I don't think Hird is guilty, but I think he should step aside while the investigation takes place. I'm not saying that because I think he took drugs, but the weight that he would have on his shoulders right now would be immense. If you look at the impact that a player's contract negotiations have on them during a season, then think what Hird would be feeling right now. This investigation probably won't be completed until about August, so effectively that is the whole season Hirdy will have this cloud over him for.

I think that really he should step aside, and Essendon do have Bomber Thompson there who can take over while he is investigated.

I did read somewhere though that the board won't force him out. They fear the member backlash would be so big, that they would call a general meeting and sack the entire board.

I don't think that Hird is guilty, and that these text messages and emails have been taken out of context in the media. Still, by going on what Demetriou said the other day (and he has had preliminary briefings by ASADA), it looks like Essendon have done something wrong and will be punished. They will be charged with something, whether it be drugs or bringing the game into disrepute and I don't think Hird will be the coach next season. I hope he is still there though, as really the whole thing has been unfair on him.

I read an interesting article in the Herald Sun today that restored my faith a bit in the media (and by restored faith, I mean that there's at least one decent journo out there (only one though)).

Why should Hird be stood down for bringing the game into disrepute? How has he brought the game into disrepute? The only allegations against him are that he's taken LEGAL drugs. The media are the ones bringing the game into disrepute. Sack them.

When Liam Jurrah was accused of burying a machete in a mans face, Demetriou was all for letting him continue playing, and sticking by him in his time of need. Where's that love for Hirdy? "He should consider standing down". That's his love.

The whole thing is flowered.

[Southstorm]

Pretty much the reporter was talking about how Hird is in a pretty fortunate situation. Only because he is the golden child of the Essendon Football Club is the reason he still has his job. Because of having such a clean image in the past, no one can believe that he actually took drugs. If say, Matthew Knights was still coaching, would he be given the same chance Hird has? What if it happened at Melbourne right now? I bet if something like that happened at Hawthorn a couple of years ago, Kennett would have sacked him straight away.

Also, I think the fact that Essendon have won their first 3 games is another reason why he is still there. If they had have lost their first few games, he would be portrayed as a bad figure who had no clue, but, to me, because he has won the games, he suddenly couldn't have taken drugs, because he's a winner

I disagree with this because no thinking person would ever sack an employee as a knee-jerk reaction to a claim without legitimate proof. Hird has the right to keep his job because he has done nothing wrong in the eyes of our legal system. I'd expect Knights to be treated the same way and I'd hope any other club is no different. If Hird was stood down now before the outcome is realised, it would be a case of wrongful termination, pure and simple.

Whether or not Hird should step aside for the duration of the investigation is at the discretion of the EFC. And if his performance is uncompromised by these goings on, I can't understand why they would seek to replace him.

[AFEV]

If Vlad pushes Hird out, expect there to be some serious protesting outside AFL house.

If you can sack a guy for taking drugs legal under AFL, ASADA, WADA, state and federal law then the AFL is truly hopeless.

Media is just as bad, if not worse.

EDIT: Also, daresay James would know more about the situation than Vlad right now given that nobody from the club has

a) Been interviewed from ASADA (Neither has Dank, and Dank is refusing to be interviewed as well...)
b) Tested positive for any illicit substances

[BB67th]

If Essendon were found to have been on banned substances, I think Demetriou would come down hard on all those in power at Essendon, including Hird. If something has happened there, then he has to take some of the blame, and this is where he could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

[AFEV]

If Essendon were found to have been on banned substances, I think Demetriou would come down hard on all those in power at Essendon, including Hird. If something has happened there, then he has to take some of the blame, and this is where he could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

IF. We won't know for at least 5 more months if this is the case.
& as you said, if they were pretty much everyone that's anyone at Essendon will be sacked. That would include Bomber Thompson. So why exactly is he the solution...

[BB67th]

If Essendon were found to have been on banned substances, I think Demetriou would come down hard on all those in power at Essendon, including Hird. If something has happened there, then he has to take some of the blame, and this is where he could be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

IF. We won't know for at least 5 more months if this is the case.
& as you said, if they were pretty much everyone that's anyone at Essendon will be sacked. That would include Bomber Thompson. So why exactly is he the solution...

Firstly, Andrew Demetriou has given every indication in recent media interviews that Essendon have done wrong after he received preliminary briefings from ASADA. Now of course this doesn't definitely mean they have done wrong, but this use of IV drips which is AFL banned seems to have taken place last year.
And not everyone will be sacked. If Hird were to be sacked it would be through e-mails and those text messages that he had with Dank giving the all clear to give the players those drugs. Thompson has never been reported to be involved with any of it.

But now I am being a hypocrite and speculating what might happen if they are found guilty, which they have not yet. So I will shut up about it now.

[AFEV]

Nah BB it's all good, entitled to your opinion and it is difficult not to speculate when the outcome is going to influence the entire game.
Just FTR those text messages can't really be used to prosecute Essendon. ASADA does not have the power to get get those things from providers, ad seeing as Dank won' even give them an interview I seriously doubt he was like 'hey dudes, I have these texts...'
& remember Bomber is the one that wanted Robinson and Dank, and was originally the coach with pressure on him when the story first broke.

[DazBurg]

Nah BB it's all good, entitled to your opinion and it is difficult not to speculate when the outcome is going to influence the entire game.
Just FTR those text messages can't really be used to prosecute Essendon. ASADA does not have the power to get get those things from providers, ad seeing as Dank won' even give them an interview I seriously doubt he was like 'hey dudes, I have these texts...'
& remember Bomber is the one that wanted Robinson and Dank, and was originally the coach with pressure on him when the story first broke.

plus bomber jokingly said if hirdy stepped aside he would walk with him

[kilbluff1985]

word is Hird is  preparing defamation proceedings

[coolfugitiv0]

word is Hird is  preparing defamation proceedings

Good. Take them to the cleaners.

[kilbluff1985]

lol this is gold

[Maca24]

Now I'm not saying that Hird is guilty here, but I saw an interesting point in the paper the other day.

Pretty much the reporter was talking about how Hird is in a pretty fortunate situation. Only because he is the golden child of the Essendon Football Club is the reason he still has his job. Because of having such a clean image in the past, no one can believe that he actually took drugs. If say, Matthew Knights was still coaching, would he be given the same chance Hird has? What if it happened at Melbourne right now? I bet if something like that happened at Hawthorn a couple of years ago, Kennett would have sacked him straight away.

Also, I think the fact that Essendon have won their first 3 games is another reason why he is still there. If they had have lost their first few games, he would be portrayed as a bad figure who had no clue, but, to me, because he has won the games, he suddenly couldn't have taken drugs, because he's a winner.

Now again, I don't think Hird is guilty, but I think he should step aside while the investigation takes place. I'm not saying that because I think he took drugs, but the weight that he would have on his shoulders right now would be immense. If you look at the impact that a player's contract negotiations have on them during a season, then think what Hird would be feeling right now. This investigation probably won't be completed until about August, so effectively that is the whole season Hirdy will have this cloud over him for.

I think that really he should step aside, and Essendon do have Bomber Thompson there who can take over while he is investigated.

I did read somewhere though that the board won't force him out. They fear the member backlash would be so big, that they would call a general meeting and sack the entire board.

I don't think that Hird is guilty, and that these text messages and emails have been taken out of context in the media. Still, by going on what Demetriou said the other day (and he has had preliminary briefings by ASADA), it looks like Essendon have done something wrong and will be punished. They will be charged with something, whether it be drugs or bringing the game into disrepute and I don't think Hird will be the coach next season. I hope he is still there though, as really the whole thing has been unfair on him.

How ironic. Hahahaha.

[DazBurg]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/world-anti-doping-agency-confirms-growth-hormone-allegedly-used-by-essendon-players-is-a-banned-substance/story-e6frephf-1226626345644

not good  :(