If that is indeed the case, we are in far worse trouble than I thought.

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"our electorate seeks less to be informed and more to be validated." Sad times.

There's the nub of it though, isn't it?

Thanks for your input, DOA.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

In the pressor, Stick's clearly stated that he addressed the whole playing group and left no confusion as to what his thoughts were and what is expected. Did Walks and others not attend this meeting?

I can understand why they were text messaged their penalties as we are directed to do the same in our workplaces as these sort of directives are required to be in writing and text has replaced formal letters for pretty much everything other than termination.

How do you know they were not told face to face before the text message?

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Bawditawaba

I'm with Keogh on this one,

the club needed to act on whoever was handcuffed to Casboult. I understand this person was not one of the three against whom action has been taken (if I am wrong on that and the offender was one of Betts, Walker and Houlihan then he needed his exile at least doubled). But this is a person of whom the media is clearly aware, and are probably in the position to name at any time. Given the current HUN vendetta they are probably holding it above us like the sword of damocles.

According to Damien Barrett this morning, the email from the AFL to Carlton asking for an explanation by January 11 says:

So what do we do on January 11? We try to brush the handcuff player under the carpet? Is that going to wash? I mean, if the AFL is particularly concerned about the Casboult incident, then how on earth have we dealt with it? If the handcuffer was Betts, Houlihan or Walker then we've done nothing to increase their penalty. If it was anybody else then they have remained unpenalised. We have had the opportunity with this one to be proactive, and instead we remain reactive and leave ourselves open to further sanctions and punishment.

Oh and here's a link to Barrett's article: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/secret-blues-upset-afl/story-e6frf9jf-1225816109602

That is inaccurate. The offenders were personally called prior to the PC. The rest of the playing group was emailed or texted.

My apologies if this was covered somewhere by the club but what action, if any, was taken in respect of the treatment meted out to Levi Casboult?

Thanks Mark. Appreciate the clarification.

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"The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, and the young know everything." Oscar Wilde

..in my opinion, while i think and believe that what has happened is unprofessional for the modern game.. ..it only affects our club's premiership chances, possibly sponsorship bucks.. ..but ultimately, it's just our club holding itself back.... ..i don't see a reason for the AFL to stick their big fat nose in..

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..if you can't be good, be good at it..

Indeed, especially given the AFL's reluctance to even contemplate any intervention with any other club - except West Coast with Cousins, when it was painfully obvious something was very wrong - in the case of criminal allegations.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

There's a lot about the AFL's operations I disagree with, but I'm sympathetic to them this time. Given the sensitivity of corporate image at the moment, especially with soccer significantly on the rise and the new television rights agreements coming up, it's understandable that the AFL doesn't want 'surprises'.

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"The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, and the young know everything." Oscar Wilde

Guys, unless you want us to not win a game in 2010 and suspend every player, then shut the hell up.

I think the suspensions were hard enough. Those players won't come straight into the team once the ban is lifted. They will need atleast a month of training with the seniors and to learn the new gameplan before they could play a senior game. Unless we have severe injuries they won't play atleast till round 7-8 at best.

They also will be scared as shit to drink again as they are that close to losing their job. If i was them, l would be thinking its my last season at the club and better perform.

As for Levi, l am sure he didn't complain about being tied to a senior player on the boat cruise, he just got too drunk and you can't see him complaining. He said this stuff happens all the time in the AFL , VFL, domestic football clubs. Hes over it, why arent you guys?

How about you guys stop looking for blood and get over it. Starting to think this club is turning in to richmond supporters forum.

Its 2010, lets get ready for the season, this topic is done

Nothing the club does makes you guys happy.

Not entirely true......Making them unhappy about these sorts of things makes them happy.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Who was the bloke chained to the kid and who was involved in that. No mention of that in both statements.This is utterly pathetic by the club. The most serious incident and is not even mentioned in both statements. Unbelievable

And the fact that the penalties were relayed via text message. Havent mobile phones added a new dimension of avoidance to difficult situations. What about facing them sticks and !@#$%& telling them. NO because you havent got any balls if what DOA says is correct.

What about Ratten's role yesterday. Did he do anything.
(quote from keogh)

Where was Swan???
Chris Judd's point on alcohol as reward is pertinent and probably key to all this.
therein lies the problem,and if we have an admin that values this booze as reward mentality,we should look at that,because in the end,its about walking the walk.
After watching the excellent doco on American National Parks,I reckon a trip to Yellowstone,or Yosemite,where nature is so overwhelming, and awe inspiring to man,would be a much more suitable reward...camping,hiking,and bonding...without booze...a little time to get some perspective,and soul time for the lads...to realize that the little inner party/wild man is only a small part of there whole selves.
They have bigger fish to fry..and they need a little help perhaps to get them a larger perspective of their lives.

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

i dont wanna win 13 games of footy.
i wanna win a premiership.

and the only way were gunna win premierships is if the club comes down hard on the drinking culture.the unprofessional culture.. the repeat offenders...the lazy bones... etc....

And if that means we win 10 games next year and 16 the year after so be it.

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Maybe we could get ned flanders to come camping with them too lol

I pay about $700 a year to the club in membership $s, I have a right to complain if our club is the only club right now qwith an apparent behaviour/drinking problem.

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

...yeah,but I had something deeper in mind than Kumbayah!!

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That’s not a political statement — it’s a harsh reality, and we must act,” she said. “He is a clear and present danger to the things that keep us strong and free. I support impeachment.”

Correct.

Agree Walks, like anyone should back up their mates.

But if you're at Crown late at night and are associated with people who are behaving inappropriately, then that is your problem.

No excuses.

He shouldn't have been in that situation in the first place.

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It's a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it

DOA has my complete support and I echo his sentiments.
We have all become brainwashed drones conditioned to react to tabloid sensationalism and call for mass hangings for the most minor of indiscretions.

It is clear to me that Andrew was trying to help Ryan at the time and convince him to return to his room. When bouncers decided to escalate the situation, Andrew tried to help a mate. Those traits are far more important to me than this insatiable desire to make footballers into fricken pastors!!!

Unfortunately for Andrew, wrong place, wrong time and he has been caught up in the witch hunt and copped the suspension. But Andrew certainly wont be getting any criticism from me.

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C'mon Blueboys!