Last updated: December 20, 2013


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At least Jobe Watson turned up, so where are Steve Dank and Andrew Demetriou

Stephen Dank

Former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank. Picture: James Croucher. Source: The Daily Telegraph

THE man who should be booed is Stephen Dank.

Probably next in line is everyone who worked in Essendon's football and sports science departments in 2012, for they are responsible - at different levels - for the predicament the club finds itself in.

That Jobe Watson was booed at Subiaco and castigated on social media forums was not a surprise.

There is serious unease about the drugs scandal, and Watson's admission on Monday night brought it to a head.

Was he a cheat? Naive? Too trustworthy? Let down?

It manifested itself to the point where the public response could only be booing, for what else can they do? Give him a standing ovation?

The AFL has not given any real guidance this week.

Andrew Demetriou is overseas, and ASADA won't even answer emails.

WADA boss John Fahey added to the public's indignation by basically surmising Watson is guilty before being charged.

Demetriou's absence is desperately unlucky for him and the AFL.

It is a planned holiday with his kids, and that's fine, but you'd think he would've shaken his head in disbelief when he heard or was told what Watson said.

That, and he also knew people who didn't like him being overseas last year absolutely won't like it this year.

So, what were Eagles fans supposed to do on Thursday night?

Of course you felt for Watson as he was jeered every time he touched the ball and you felt for his parents who watched helplessly as their son wept at the final siren.

Many thought the behaviour of Eagles fans was disgusting.

I didn't share the same view, for sport is brutal in and outside the arena.

Watson is one of the good guys in a bad situation, but when the masses feel aggrieved, they let it be known.

The problem is, no one really knows what's happening.

Watson said he believed he took the drug, but the Bombers say they are confident the skipper and the players won't be punished.

Was it banned or not?

It seems not even ASADA and WADA can agree on that one.

In the meantime, the abuse of Watson is likely to continue, and the questioning of Essendon itself is likely to be more pointed.

Most people are understanding of the need for proper process, as the AFL has argued, but as the Bombers continue to climb the ladder on the back of come-from-behind victories, the angst towards them is growing.

Simply, that they are cheats.

Already, Demetriou has been moved to tell clubs to end the whispering campaign about the Bombers.

It worked, for clubs went silent, but then Watson opened his mouth.

Watson said he took the substances, which the medical and sports science department said he could, so it's not his fault.

At the same time, WADA says it is the fault of the athlete.

Fans are confused. And so are the clubs, and - take it to the bank - they are narky again.

In early June, Demetriou dismissed talk the Bombers could be still be benefiting from last year's supplement program.

He can dismiss it all he likes, but it's back at the top of the agenda with clubs and fans.

Many questions remain, one in particular: Where is S. Dank?

Only Dank really knows what was injected into Watson and his teammates and he needs to officially put on the table what substances were used, and why he believed they were not prohibited.

Penny for his thoughts as he watched Watson being ridiculed across the country.

The events on Thursday night were unsavoury and predictable from a fan base which, on one hand, wants answers and on the other, is one-eyed .

Remember, this same fan base gave Ben Cousins a standing ovation when he came back to football, having won the Brownlow Medal and later admitting he took illicit drugs for most of his career.

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