Brendon Goddard slams ASADA chief for offering Dons plea bargain
ESSENDON star Brendon Goddard has labelled ASADA chief Ben McDevitt's treatment of Bombers players as insulting.
Goddard wasn't part of Essendon's 2012 supplements program, joining the club from St Kilda for the 2013 season.
The Bombers' 2013 club champion says the club's ongoing battle with ASADA is sure to affect the players in some way.
"I try to stay across all things as do all players that aren't involved, to help support and to be there for the players and the footy club," Goddard told the Nine Network's The Footy Show on Thursday night.
Goddard said McDevitt's attempts through the media last week to convince the 34 players issued with show-cause notices to lodge early guilty pleas in a bid to gain reduced sentences were insulting.
"What's disappointing is getting an early-guilty plea (offer). A guilty plea for what?" Goddard said.
"The boys are adamant they've done nothing wrong. So is the footy club.
"The club only encouraged the guys to be honest and upfront and I think they've gone through this with great integrity.
"For him to throw comments out like that were really insulting."
Goddard says the entire AFL community is anxious to see the issue resolved.
"Everyone in general is just sick of it and we just want to see a conclusion," he said.
"In some way, it is going to affect them. But to the point of blaming it for the defeat on the weekend (against Melbourne), I don't think it's to that extent."
Draft guru Cal Twomey teams up with Nat Edwards and Riley Beveridge to unpack all the winners and surprises from the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft
03:29
Roos explain shock pick swap, praise O’Sullivan
North Melbourne’s Will Thursfield offers insight into his club’s bold trade with Richmond and explains why No.2 pick Finn O’Sullivan is one to watch for fans
06:37
Tigers’ draft jackpot: What’s in store for 2025
Richmond’s Blair Hartley unpacks his club’s impressive draft haul and weighs in on No.1 pick Sam Lalor’s round one hopes
02:34
Jack Whitlock ditches graduation to get drafted
Key forward Jack Whitlock shares his excitement on Draft Night Live after skipping his year 12 graduation to join the Power at pick 33