Hall leads fury over ‘drug tarnished’ Eagles 06 premiership

FORMER Swans hardman Barry Hall has led a chorus of anger over West Coast’s ’ 2006 premiership triumph.

The Swans 2005 premiership captain, whose team lost by a point to the Eagles in a grand final rematch the following year, says that season will be forever “tarnished”.

His comments follow the unearthing of a top-secret report from retired Supreme Court judge William Gillard to the AFL, which concludes that Eagles club leaders allowed a toxic culture to fester, covering up years of illicit drug abuse.

“It was the worst kept secret in the AFL,” Hall said.

“Everyone knew what they were doing but no one wanted to acknowledge it or do anything about it.

“But there are no positive tests and what effect any drugs may have had on game day is unproven.

“Were they performanceenhancing? I don’t know.”

“Unfortunately it’s just a tarnished year that you almost write off. It would be very hollow to think we deserve something from 06. They can hand the cup over if they want.”

Daniel Chick, who played in the 2006 flag and has since revealed a long battle with drug addiction, said: “Finally, (for) those untouchables, the truth is catching up with them.”

The report, kept secret by the AFL for nine years, is highly critical of current Essendon coach John Worsfold and Eagles CEO Trevor Nisbett.

But Worsfold last night disputed Gillard’s conclusion that he and other Eagles officials ignored evidence of misconduct, saying: “I still think that I dealt with the things as they were presented to me ... When somebody implies something, but with absolutely no evidence other than they think something. I really do still battle to say: ‘How do you act on that?’”

Eagles premiership skipper Chris Judd said: “The premiership was built on hard work and certainly my proudest moment in AFL footy.

“In footy there’s thousands of opinions on different issues but there’s no suggestion anybody used performanceenhancing drugs.”