Tanking affair just won't go away

Former Melbourne coach Dean Bailey is believed to have been reinterviewed by the AFL as it continues its invesigation into the Melbourne tanking affair. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

No case to answer? Andrew Demetriou has consistently defended the Demons. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

IT'S back. Just when AFL supremo Andrew Demetriou thought it was safe, the Demons tanking affair has reared its head again - bigger and uglier than ever before.

It has been reported that the ongoing investigation has escalated with several witnesses coming forward with fresh evidence and that Melbourne could face possible sanctions after league investigators reinterviewed several players and coaches involved in games in the latter part of 2009.

It is a potentially embarrassing situation for Demetriou if his own league believes there is a case to answer. Demetriou has long been a vocal advocate that tanking doesn't exist and consistently defended the Demons.

The AFL inquiry, led by chief integrity officer Brett Clothier, has involved interviews with several past and present Demons officials, including then senior coach Dean Bailey and former captain James McDonald and several teammates.

The tanking furore has previously centred on the Melbourne's narrow 2009 Round 18 loss to Richmond, where Tiger Jordan McMahon kicked a match-winning goal after the siren, and the Round 22 loss to St Kilda, involving several puzzling interchange and positional moves.

The AFL opened the inquiry after claims made by former Melbourne player Brock McLean that the Dees tanked in 2009.

The midfielder said winning games was not Melbourne's priority in 2009, when the Demons finished last and secured a priority pick plus the top pick in that year's national draft.

The club then recruited Tom Scully and Jack Trengove.

Speaking at the time on Fox Footy's On The Couch, McLean indicated that tanking prompted him to the leave the club.

Asked if winning had not been a priority, McLean said: "I think you would have to be blind Freddy to not figure that one out."

At the centre of the investigation are questions about Melbourne's selection and game-day strategy.

Tanking occurs when a team deliberately sets out to lose games.

In 2011, an earlier investigation by the AFL found Melbourne had no case to answer for their actions.

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