Essendon Devastated By Doping Verdict; 34 Past And Present Players Banned For 12 Months

Essendon has been struck a massive blow today, with 34 players banned from this AFL season over doping charges.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport delivered their verdict this morning, upholding the World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal against the AFL tribunal, who had initially cleared the 34 players of taking banned peptide Thymosin beta-4 in 2012.

Lawyers for some players are already exploring options for an appeal of their own.

Twelve of those banned for the 2016 season still play for the Bombers. A further five players, now at other clubs, will have to sit out the premiership season too.

The banned Bombers include Tom Bellchambers, Travis Colyer, Dyson Heppel, Michael Hibberd, Cale Hooker, Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett, Michael Hurley, David Myers, Tayte Pears, Brent Stanton and Jobe Watson.

Watson is the captain of Essendon and winner of the 2012 Brownlow Medal.

According to the Herald Sun, there is speculation he might be stripped of the accolade now that he’s been found guilty of doping; he would become the first Brownlow winner to have his medal taken away.

St Kilda’s Jake Carlisle, Western Bulldog’s Stewart Crameri, Melbourne’s Jake Melksham and Port Adelaide players Angus Monfries and Paddy Ryder, formerly of Essendon, will also sit out 2016.

The remaining seventeen players - Alex Browne, Alwyn Davey, Luke Davis, Cory Dell'olio, Ricky Dyson, Dustin Fletcher, Scott Gumbleton, Kyle Hardingham, David Hille, Leroy Jetta, Brendan Lee, Sam Lonergan, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Mark McVeigh, Brent Prismall, Henry Slattery and Ariel Steinberg – no longer play for the AFL. However, those who hold coaching positions or play at state level will also need to step aside for 12 months.

Former coach James Hird described the decision as a “miscarriage of justice.”

“I firmly believe the players do not deserve this finding,” he added.

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) boss Ben McDevitt, however, was pleased with the decision.

“This unfortunate episode has chronicled the most devastating self-inflicted injury by a sporting club in Australian history,” he said.

“There were very little grounds for the players to claim they were at no significant fault.

“The players had received anti-doping education through the AFL and ASADA, and were well aware that they are personally responsible for all substances that entered their body.”

Essendon’s first match for the 2016 premiership season takes place against Gold Coast on March 26.

What are your thoughts on the verdict?