Bombers reach compo settlement with 18 banned players
The compensation claims against the Essendon Football Club over the supplements saga continue to progress, as 18 players settle with the club.
The compensation claims against the Essendon Football Club over the supplements saga continue to progress, as 18 players settle with the club.
Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank says he intends to front the AFL appeals board and believes he can still clear the 34 banned Essendon players.
Stephen Dank's appeal hearing has been postponed until December 1, after the controversial sports scientist failed to attend the hearing on Monday morning.
AFL appeals board chairman Peter O'Callaghan, QC, will allow oral testimony at Monday's hearing with Stephen Dank, although Dank and his lawyers remain unaware of this.
For Essendon midfielder and leader David Myers, a 12-month suspension over the supplements saga has not only proved a blessing in disguise, but offered a brighter perspective on life as a professional footballer.
Stephen Dank, the architect of the Essendon supplements program, is set to appear before the AFL appeals board on Monday but is angry no oral submissions will be allowed.
This was a decision the AFL Commission would have agonised over - but in the end the right call was made to award the 2012 Brownlow Medal retrospectively to Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin.
Jobe Watson says he is still hurting from his agonising call to cede his 2012 Brownlow Medal, as former teammates said they were "shattered" for the Essendon captain.
Football should do what it can to make Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin's Brownlow Medal moment one to cherish.
Jobe Watson is yet to come to a decision on whether or not to fight for the 2012 Brownlow medal that could be stripped from him next week.
Essendon will meet with Jobe Watson's management this week as both parties prepare for the historic November 15 AFL Commission meeting at which the fate of Watson's 2012 Brownlow medal will be decided.
Prominent lawyer David Galbally says he cannot find a legal route for Jobe Watson to retain his Brownlow Medal.
Lawyers representing the Essendon 34 claim the comments of ASADA Chief Executive Ben McDevitt following the failed appeal to the Swiss court are incorrect.
The clear appeal loss that stamps 34 Essendon footballers with doping offences for life has been termed "not a real surprise" to the sports arbiter the AFL players challenged in a faraway court. In light of the finding, secretary general of the international Court of Arbitration for Sport, Matthieu Reeb, has told Fairfax Media the Bomber players' challenge appeared doomed from the outset.
Jobe Watson should keep his Brownlow Medal, according to the man who preceded him in winning the award.
As Sam Mitchell stunned the football world on his 34th birthday by outlining the very real prospect he could be joining West Coast, so too did the prospect he could become a Brownlow medallist in the coming weeks
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says it's highly unlikely Jobe Watson will keep his Brownlow medal.
Essendon top-up players Matt Dea and James Kelly are coming back to the Bombers in 2017.
Scott Gumbleton was a source of much frustration for Essendon fans over seven injury-riddled years, but they should be thankful to his girlfriend.
Essendon was already heading into season 2017 in a better place than it had known for years. Now that skipper Jobe Watson has recommitted to the cause, the Bombers’ prospects are brighter still.
Michael Hibberd's anger towards Essendon has abated, and he says the Bombers looked after him during his six years at the club.
Jobe Watson has been told he needs to make a call on his playing future within a fortnight.
David Myers arrived at Essendon's base in Tullamarine on Wednesday morning, for the first time since he was banned from football for doping.
A day before their suspended stars become free to return to the club, Essendon received further good news after No.6 draft pick Aaron Francis agreed to a two-year contract extension.
The AFL will enjoy clear air during finals from a drug case that has haunted it for four years, provided the timing of the Essendon player appeal verdict expected by world sport's chief arbiter - which is party to the landmark dispute - proves correct. The Court of Arbitration for Sport, which ruled 34 Bomber players would incur 12-month suspensions for banned substance use, has told Fairfax Media it does not expect ultimate judgment on the matter until November; at least four weeks after this season's AFL grand final.
Stepping back into football after a year where he sought refuge abroad and returned with half his face covered by hair, banned Essendon player Michael Hurley has invited broad questioning with one clear no-go zone: Stephen Dank. In a filmed nine-minute interview to be broadcast by Channel Nine on Wednesday night, Hurley makes no secret of the fact he entertained changing clubs due to the drug scandal that halted him at peak of his AFL powers.
Emerging Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish says the Bombers look forward to welcoming their banned teammates back into the fold.
Essendon coach John Worsfold thinks Jobe Watson wants to play at the Bombers in 2017.
Why Essendon could be better off letting Michael Hibberd leave.
A group of Essendon players suspended for an anti-doping breach will meet in Croatia this week to discuss their plans for 2017.
One of Essendon's good news stories in 2016 is on track to continue beyond this season, with the Bombers offering key defender Michael Hartley a new two-year contract.
Player agents fear the compensation claims against Essendon over the 2012 injecting program will drag on into 2017 - although the Bombers insist they will be finalised in a "timely manner".
There was no precedent for the situation the Bombers found themselves in this season. With the core of their senior team suspended by WADA Essendon was tipped for the wooden spoon.
Brent Stanton says he is "leaning towards" returning to football in 2017 and hasn't given much thought to the prospect of leaving Essendon.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos says he sympathises with Essendon counterpart John Worsfold, but insists the Demons have not broken any rules in approaching contracted Bomber Michael Hibberd.
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