Jobe Watson - not good

[insano]

it's only been banned this year

Its actually been banned for much longer. 

Any drug which is not on their "approved list" is banned.  This drug in question has never been on the approved list.

[jackel82]

Why is everyone ignoring the elephant in the room?

There is allegedly a document from ASADA giving the green tick of approval to the use of AOD-9604 issued at the time they started their supplement program. It is understood that at the very least Stephen Dank has this document in his possession, and it is likely Essendon have a copy too. Now that ASADA are back-peddling does not mean it is immune from a legal challenge - of which Essendon would have a strong case if this is true.

The other possibility is that Stephen Dank defrauded Essendon and ASADA by producing false documentation, in which case it will be a matter for the police.

Secondly, even what WADA says is open to debate. WADA said in a statement dated 13th febuary 2013 page 40 that AOD-9604 is not prohibited to the australian crime commission. While they are saying it is illegal now, does not mean it is not open for legal dispute when they have issued contrary statements in the past.

Thirdly, whether ADO-9604 has not been sufficiently trialled is also debatable. There have been a few human trials - and what's more, when prepared by a compounding chemist for human use, apparently different rules apply.

What he said...........

Does anyone really believe Watson would say such a thing if they didn't think they where clear? No one is that stupid. He would have known a question like that was coming long before he went on the show, and I am very sure essendon would have some type of media manager too.

I say good on him, they admitted it happened, admitted they thought it was legal. And the jury is still out on the decision. Lots of loopholes and ASADA/WADA have not made things clear enough. Bombers will get a fine out of this and heads have already rolled but the players will be fine, and so they should be.

[kilbluff1985]

it's only been banned this year

Its actually been banned for much longer. 

Any drug which is not on their "approved list" is banned.  This drug in question has never been on the approved list.

The have also said its only been banned since Feb this year so who knows wtf the real story

[Ricochet]

Statement from EFC:

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2013-06-25/club-statement.workstation

There is still an ongoing investigation by the AFL and ASADA initiated by the Essendon Football Club.

The Club and our players are fully cooperating with the investigation. This is a complex and difficult area, but our club considers that our players have acted reasonably during the 2012 season. 

The Club notes that it is yet to be determined whether any of our players in the 2012 season were given prohibited or performance enhancing substances.

We look forward to the finalisation of the ASADA investigation, and we thank our members for their ongoing support of our club and our players.

[Big Mac]

Just watched the 7 news segment on the topic and it's actually ridiculous what they're saying. They're acting as if ASADA had no idea that Essendon players had actually taken AOD-9604 until yesterday. To my knowledge, Essendon believes that the drug was legal at the time and therefore no action in relation to the players or the club should be taken until that is proved otherwise.

[Vinny]

AFL says Watson is free to play this week despite his admission.

[ronl]

I worked for over 15 years as a producer on commercial television.  In my experience re interviews deemed to be "controversial",  with possible legal implications, the person interviewed(read Watson) as well as his employer(read Essendon Football Club) and other associated parties (read Dank, WADA, ASADA) and their legal advisers would have been issued with a full rundown of the questions to be asked of Watson.  More than likely Watson and EFC would have then sat down with their legal departments and considered whether to answer the questions in the form presented or to request amendments be made and approved before the interview took place.  Only after any requested amendments were made by the TV producer would Watson, EFC and their legal reps then agree to the interview and map out Watson's response to the questions, from which he would not deviate.  Those are the nuts and bolts of it. and more than likely there would have been substantial toing and froing before a final script of the interview would have been agreed upon.  Anyone who believes that Watson simply rocked up and told the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to some hack like Mike Sheehan is living in a dream world.

My gut feeling is that this whole package has already been finalised by the parties concerned, and that the AFL will more than likely maintain its silence until an agreed upon date of release of its findings.  From a public relations viewpoint there is too much at stake here (possible tip of the iceberg) for the Afl to do much more than slap Essendon's hand, get them to sack one or two people, and maybe pay a fine and promise not to do it again blah blah blah.

[Ricochet]

on AFL 360 last night Robbo stated he had contacted Watson's manager and EFC and that they were shocked with what Watson had said. He stated that Watson had gone rogue and had been advised to make no comment

[Ricochet]

Found a bit of AFL 360. There was more to it but this is all i can find so far

http://www.foxsports.com.au/AFL/afl-360-did-jobe-go-rogue/video-e6frf33l-1226669819124?subcat=1225914646252&site=FoxSports