The AFL administration, lauded for its financial acumen and expansionary zeal, ended the season with an array of problems - some of its own making.
The long and still unresolved investigation into alleged tanking by Melbourne was embarrassing for AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou, particularly given he had often said he believed the practice did not exist. Some concluded that Demetriou's failure to recognise tanking - clubs losing games to improve their position in the draft - had emboldened clubs to do so.
Adelaide's payments to star forward Kurt Tippett outside the salary cap caused further embarrassment, with the AFL's seemingly soft penalties, including a six-month penalty for disgraced Crows chief executive Stephen Trigg, seen as a slap on the wrist.
Particularly after Trigg, who had pleaded guilty, subsequently attempted to downplay his wrongdoing. The widespread belief at club level that there is a problem with recreational drugs has also called into question the AFL's controversial ''three strikes'' policy.
Many clubs feel that the AFL's generally low figures on drug use do not square with their own experiences.
Accordingly, for the first time, both the AFL Commission and Demetriou have come under close scrutiny.
Quotes: The Tweet
''Kurt gets 11 matches and fresh for finals plus multi mill contract to the swans. I got pissed and lost my career. #wellplayedKurt #winning.'' @brendanfevola
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Lettuce leaf anyone..........


Melbourne great David Schwarz hopes any penalty that might flow from the AFL's tanking investigation will not "cripple" the club.
The AFL is expected to serve the Demons with evidence gained from its five-month probe into their list management in 2009.
While Melbourne could be hit with heavy fines or loss of draft picks, there is mounting belief the AFL would prefer to penalise individuals, rather than the club, if it is found guilty of deliberately losing games under former coach Dean Bailey.
Lettuce leaf inc...................


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