WAFL's ex-Bombers in limbo
A cloud hangs over the availability of three WAFL players who were on Essendon's list in 2012 after the WA Football Commission issued a warning to clubs about selecting players under provisional suspension.
East Perth's co-captain Brendan Lee, South Fremantle's Cory Dell'Olio and Peel recruit Leroy Jetta were at Essendon during the supplements affair in 2012.
One official, believed to be sports scientist Stephen Dank, and 34 of 46 players on the list that year are under provisional suspension after receiving infraction notices from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.
They are awaiting the outcome of the AFL Tribunal hearing on the doping case, which is due to finish next week. A ruling is expected some weeks later.
The identities of most of the 34 players remain secret and it is not known publicly whether Lee, Dell'Olio and Jetta received infraction notices.
Lee, a star performer for East Perth over the past two seasons since his return from the AFL, has politely but consistently declined to comment.
It is understood Dell'Olio will sit out pre-season matches after receiving advice from the AFL Players' Association's legal counsel on Wednesday. East Perth, South Fremantle and Peel declined to comment yesterday.
But the WAFC released a statement which read: "The West Australian Football Commission has passed on advice from the AFL and AFL Players' Association to WAFL clubs that players under provisional suspension should not participate in WAFL pre-season games as they are considered to be officially sanctioned matches."
ASADA has warned that any player under provisional suspension would, if found guilty, forfeit the right to have a penalty backdated to the date of infraction notices being issued last year if he played while awaiting the tribunal verdict.
It is not clear how that might affect Dell'Olio and Jetta, who played in the Northern Territory Football League over summer after receiving permission from the AFL
Essendon's participation in the AFL pre-season series, the NAB Challenge, remains in doubt with Bombers players threatening to boycott the competition.
It is believed the club has 17 players still on its list who received infraction notices and who have opted not to play, but other Essendon players have considered sitting out to support their teammates.
The Bombers are under mounting pressure from rival clubs to commit to the competition.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley called for a strong stand from the AFL, while Carlton coach Mick Malthouse urged the league not to let one club "hijack" a national competition.
"This is a great test for the AFL … to be very firm and strong," Malthouse said.
"The tail cannot wag the dog.
"I don't think under the circumstances of what's happened over the last two years that people can start dictating whether they're going to play."
"This is a great test for the AFL … to be very firm and strong. The tail cannot wag the dog."" *Mick Malthouse *
