Saad informed of Tribunal outcome

[KoopKicka]

He wasn't picked up in the rookie draft. Does this mean he's no longer a saint?

Unfortunately for him, this is correct. :(

[Ricochet]

So he's received an 18 month ban from the AFL. Is this a ban just from playing all forms of footy? or is it like when ASADA bans players from playing any type of competitive sport?

[Ziplock]

So he's received an 18 month ban from the AFL. Is this a ban just from playing all forms of footy? or is it like when ASADA bans players from playing any type of competitive sport?

mmm...

If it's from the afl, then it's just afl ban.

I dunno what's happening with ASADA though.

[Nails]

Saad result for all involved.

[Vinny]

To be fair though, he was warned by the club about it and still took it

I don't really know the full story behind it and can't really be bothered reading anything about it.. just strikes me as funny circumstances. one guy (more than one actually) injects drugs into his system, another guy drinks a sports drink.

I like and respect Watson, this isn't about him at all.. but put the two incidents side by side and the sports drink guy gets 18 months?

The Essendon saga isn't over yet mate, ASADA still to hand down their decision.

ohkay thanks mate, I don't really keep up to date with most of these things :P

for the record I hope Watson is cleared and gets to keep his Brownlow medal, absolutely nothing against Watson. only brought it up as a sort of similar scenario

Don't want to turn this into another crazy discussion about the Bombers saga. But...haha. If Watson loses his brownlow I will be extremely pissed off. Hate Essendon but Watson is a champion.

[Spanner221]

He wasn't picked up in the rookie draft. Does this mean he's no longer a saint?

Unfortunately for him, this is correct. :(

Thats sad to hear. I liked Saad. :(

[Mailman the 2nd]

he's not a Saint, but they're helping him through the ban with welfare etc.

[Ricochet]

he's not a Saint, but they're helping him through the ban with welfare etc.

Similar to why WCE are keeping Newman as a rookie

[Ziplock]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-29/banned-vfl-player-queries-saad-punishment

Haha, talk about bitter.


He went about this the wrong way though- he gains nothing from Saads ban being extended, he should have waited until ASADA decided not to challenge/ extend Saads ban and then brought the issue up.

I feel sorry for him, and I think that both of their punishments were harsh as I don't believe either of them intended to cheat (that being said, you can't claim ignorance as an excuse in these scenarios, so I understand the bans). I'm sure Clark feels roughly treated subsequently, but really he gets nothing from 'keeping a really close eye on Saad's case to make sure that the exact same ending happens that happened to mine.', and trying to get Saad as screwed as he did. It's petty tbh.

[Ringo]

An interesting development

AFL ‏@AFL

ASADA has notified the AFL it will appeal Ahmed Saad's 18-month ban. The AFL Appeals Board will now sit at a date in the future.

Is this an indication what may await some Essendon players

[Ricochet]

ASADA did the exact same thing to the VFL player, appealed his initial ban. Saad will get 2 years.

[Noz]

ASADA did the exact same thing to the VFL player, appealed his initial ban. Saad will get 2 years.

The VFL player actually went to the media to tell ASADA they should appeal his ban

[Ricochet]

Yeh I saw that. ASADA would have appealed it anyway though

[Ricochet]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/former-st-kilda-forward-ahmed-saad-to-fight-asada-appeal-against-18month-drug-ban/story-fni5f9q3-1226807101378

BANNED Saint Ahmed Saad will aggressively fight ASADAs appeal for a two-year suspension that could end his AFL career.

[Ricochet]

Tribunal has thrown out ASADA's appeal. His ban stays at 18-months