I think the AFL should be very proud of the testing results. It seems, prima facie, to show a much lower incidence of use in AFL ranks than in equivalent demographics outside the AFL. I don’t understand the dissatisfaction with anything short of zero when what low numbers they have are already terrific.

Not to mention the fact that any test of this nature is really an invasion of privacy, notwithstanding the players’ agreement to it.

I think the media coverage issue is a salient point. There are more journos covering footy than politics and I think more quantity is resulting in less quality. A case in point was last week when Clarkson was more or less baited by a journalist into calling him a c***head. Instead of questioning the journalist’s ethics the media played up all of AC’s past ‘anger management’ issues.

With the drugs issue – it seems like many pundits hitched themselves to the “AFL WANTS TO LEGALISE DRUGS FOR ITS PLAYERS AND THAT IS BAD MMMMKAY” wagon and just carp on ad-infinitum about it. It’s like Caro with Brayshaw, a pack of ego driven dogs with a bone.

Ultimately I think the AFL erred in even bothering with an illicit drugs policy for 3 key reasons:
* it is too hard to police
* it exposes the code to negative publicity for what is a pretty small issue
* it gives off the perception rightly or wrongly that AFL players are above the law

According to ‘Bluey’ McKenna, he seems to think that young Tom Nichols is ahead of Gorringe for the vacant ruck position at the Gold Coast. This information is on the AFL’s website.

As for big Cox, my feeling is that he will be rested. With the Eagles up against GWS, I fear there is no need for Cox to make the long trip, especially with Nicnat now up and running. I’m sure Cox would like the week off to refresh his ageing body. I am unsure of the form/fitness of Callum Sinclair, but he did okay while Nicnat was out. Perhaps one of our West Aussie friends could enlighten us as to the form/fitness of Sinclair. Also pretty sure that ‘Woosha’ doesn’t give a rats about us fantasy coaches.

Jake Neade already a confirmed out for this week.

@mikeysan, I still have Dixon too, will keep him for now, need to offload some of my round 11 players.

Unfortuantely, we consume so much content these days that things will only get more invasive and stupider.

Another thing I dont get is how pro sports clubs take it upon themselves to announce details of players’ private lives to the media. “Billy Bloggs is taking some time off from the game to deal with his gambling/drug/relationship/whatever issue” Imagine if that went on in a normal workplace?

I still have Dixon in my team, and was thinking he has to go if he’s still in a moon boot as I heard over the weekend. Pity cause he’d just move into the ruck and average over a hundred for the year with Smith gone.

I keep thinking about the long term, and coming home with a wet sail, but cant afford any more losses in some leagues. Grrr. Is there anything worse than not making the league finals, but having a higher score those weekends than the winners?

Definitely coaches would have to choose between losing ground/h2hs this week versus losing ground overall.