Dear Members
As we’d all be aware last night we reached an agreement with the AFL regarding the Club's 2012 supplement program.
The resolution obviously followed long and hard negotiations with the AFL.
I know some of you may have preferred that we continue to fight the charges, and I assure you last night’s decision was not taken lightly.
We firmly believe, and it’s a view many of you have expressed to me over recent weeks, that bringing these matters to an end was in the long term best interests of our players, their families and indeed everyone involved with the Club.
The penalties for the Club, James, Danny and Mark are tough but as I said last night I believe they’re fair in the circumstances and reflect the nature of the mistakes and failings in our governance and people management in late 2011 and into 2012.
It’s also important to note that the AFL has now acknowledged that neither the Essendon Football Club nor any of the individuals charged set out to implement a supplements program that would result in players being administered prohibited or potentially harmful substances.
We should all be clear in understanding that the Club, James, Danny, Mark and Bruce have not been accused of drug cheating, and we have not been penalised on that basis.
Our agreement, including our penalties, covers governance and people management failings.
We made mistakes in these areas - we’ve addressed our shortcomings, we’ve apologised for them and now we’ve been penalised for them.
We’ve emerged a wiser club and I know with your support we’ll also ultimately emerge as a stronger club.
Missing this year’s finals series is a bitter pill to swallow for all of us; playing finals goes to the very heart of why we are supporters and members of this great club.
Having James sidelined for 12 months is also a heavy penalty to pay, but James and the Board have agreed he’ll be back as senior coach once his suspension is served and will continue in that role until at least the end of season 2016.
With James’ absence for 12 months and Danny’s for 4 months, we’ll review our structure and put revised arrangements in place as needed.
On behalf of the Club, I reiterate our support for James, Mark, Danny and Bruce. We also understand and respect Bruce’s decision to contest his charges and I understand this process will get underway later this week.
The past seven months have been exceptionally taxing on our players, these four individuals and their families. Throughout, they have conducted themselves with great dignity and loyalty to Essendon. They are men of great character and are Bombers through and through.
I’m also very aware that the past seven months have been incredibly tough for you, our amazing members and supporters.
I apologise to you for our failings in 2011/12 and thank you for your loyal and passionate support of our players and the Club during this incredibly difficult time.
It's easy for me to say, but the challenge before all of us is to regroup, ensure we never find ourselves in this place again and position ourselves for a successful 2014.
I look forward to working with you to do exactly that.
Go Bombers!
Paul Little
