Guys

Redemption time by Bruce Francis

Although I gave you 60 plus leads / scoops / stories, you refused to run with any of them. That didnt surprise,
nor bother me. Ill get my pay-back in due course. However, I am staggered that the vast majority of you have
ignored Chips incredible work. He has given you enough ammunition to keep your readers fascinated for
weeks. If you decided to run with Chips ammunition, you would mitigate much of the shame you should feel
for the way you have trashed the profession over the last two years.
Today, I shall only refer to a couple of issues:
Although the AFL commissioners were supposed to be the jury in August 2013, they were not only told Hird
and Essendon were guilty in June 2013, but they were told part of the penalty that would be imposed. That is,
Essendon can't play finals and Hird would be suspended for at least six months. As late as early August 2013,
Demetriou (aka Ive never told a lie) denied that Essendon would lose points.
ASADAs chief operating officer, Trevor Burgess, said he couldn't remember who 'G' was at the AFL, who
passed on information. Given he probably ever only spoke to Andrew Demetriou, Andrew Dillon, Brett Clothier
and Gillon McLachlan, he treated you all as fools.
Quote from Chip's Book
By the start of winter, the AFL decides Essendon cant play finals [all bolding is my emphasis]. The club
officials for the 2012 disgrace will be held to account. The AFL Commission is briefed to this effect. Richard
Eccles [Gillard's man in Lundy's office] is told as much. On 13 June 2013 he passes on the information to Trevor
Burgess. The AFL is preparing to take on the Essendon support staff. James Hird is looking at a ban of six
months or longer. Ducks all lined up notes Burgess.
Source: Trevor Burgess diary notes from his 13 June 2013 conversation with Richard Eccles were tendered to
the Federal Court on 13 August 2014. VID No 327 of 2014.
Who is Eccles deep throat inside AFL House? Burgess notes only refer to a mysterious G.
During the trial of Essendon and James Hirds Federal Court challenge to the legality of ASADA and the AFLs
joint investigation, Trevor Burgess was asked whether G was a reference to AFL chief executive Gillon
McLachlan, Burgess replied that he couldnt remember. Transcript of VID 327 of 2014, 13 August 2014, page
276.
This extract says a lot about:
1.

You guys for ignoring it

2.

The AFL Commissioners sense of justice for allowing Demetriou / McLachlan to corrupt the
proceedings. Where was Linda Dessau while all this was happening?

3.

Demetriou, McLachlan, Clothier and Dillon for denying Hird / Essendon procedural fairness.

4.

M/s Sussan Ley for not having ordered an immediate judicial investigation.

5.

ASADA for conspiring with the AFL to distort justice

6.

M/ Gillard and Senator Lundy for conspiring with ASADA and the AFL.

Bruce Francis