y I support DeAndre, and whatever he has to do. And thats his business, between him and the team.Watt, who is currently on

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has defended the severity of the ban handed to Greater Western Sydneys Lachie Whitfield.The former No.1 draft pick will miss the first seven games of the 2017 season after accepting a six-month AFL ban on Tuesday.The fallout was more far-reaching for former Giants staffers - football boss Graeme Allan and welfare manager Craig Lambert - who were banned for 12 months.The trio was investigated after Whitfield spent three days at Lamberts house, with the knowledge of Allan, in May last year in an alleged bid to avoid a possible drug test, which is a violation of the anti-doping code.However, in a move ticked off by ASADA, the AFL instead handed bans down for a breach of its own rule 2.3 concerning conduct unbecoming.All three had maintained throughout that Whitfield was simply seeking help as he went through a messy relationship break-up.I think when you get a six-month suspension thats acknowledgement that you have transgressed and you have behaved in a way that wasnt right, McLachlan said.I think six months is a reasonably significant suspension.Hes a ... kid who took advice from his supervisors, the people who were looking after him, so theres a different allocation of responsibility.Whitfield will be barred from using GWS facilities for four months before returning to train for the final two months of his ban while not being allowed to play.He will be cleared to return in the Giants round eight clash against Collingwood at Spotless Stadium.Allan, who was installed as general manager of football at Collingwood in August, quit his post in response to the suspension.Lambert has since moved on to a similar post with Brisbane and will miss the entire 2017 season.In a damning assessment, the AFL investigation found Whitfield sent incriminating text messages to a third party, the contents of which he subsequently denied.In those texts he stated he had taken illicit drugs, was staying at Lamberts house to avoid ASADA drug testers and was doing so under instruction from Allan and Lambert, who feared the drugs may have been laced with performance-enhancing substances.Much harsher bans could have been brought into play if ASADA had pursued the trio for a breach of the anti-doping code.McLachlan said there was no evidence or even allegations Whitfield had anything to do with performance-enhancing drugs, with the league taking into account that all three men had elected to plead guilty and not contest the charges.The league is yet to decide whether GWS will be penalised with a loss of draft picks, with AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon to consider that possibility in the coming days.The Giants, however, believe their club is not at fault over the issue.It has been established that former senior staff acted outside of their authority in managing circumstances and taking matters into their own hands, a club statement read.Their handling of the matter was independent of the club and did not conform with the clearly established club protocols, thus in no way relating to a governance failure on behalf of the club.Bouchon Hydro Flask France .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Bouteille Hydro Flask France . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. http://www.hydroflaskbouteille.fr/ . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Hydro Flask Pas Cher . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. Acheter Hydro Flask . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half.HOUSTON -- DeAndre Hopkins holdout has yet to change the perspective of Texans general manager Rick Smith, who says the club has made a firm decision not to negotiate with the wide receiver this season.Hopkins, who is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract, did not report to the start of Houstons training camp on Sunday. Hopkins is subject to fines of $40,000 for each day of camp he misses, and Smith confirmed that Hopkins is being fined for his absence.His actions are counterintuitive to any of the productive energy that is necessary for anything to get done, Smith said following the teams first training camp practice on Sunday morning.There are any number of factors that go into when or whether or not to extend a contract, Smith added. [Hopkins representatives] came to us this summer and talked to us about that. We contemplated and came to a decision and we communicated that decision to them, and told them it was a firm decision.Smith said the team was surprised by Hopkins choice to hold out.I didnt expect him to hold out, Smith said. It was a bit of a surprise. Hes made his point, and hopefully hell be back in camp soon. Hes under contract, so there isnt anything to get done other than him coming here.Hopkins was a first-round pick by Houston in 2013. The Texans extended their first-round picks in 2011 and 2012, J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, as they entered their fourth seasons.We decided that this was not the right time for a number of reasons, Smith said of the teams decision not to give Hopkins an extension this year.Because the Texans picked up the fifth-year option on Hopkins contract in May, he has two seasons remaining on his deal. Hopkins also has a $445,000 roster bonus due on the fifth day of camp that he will miss out on if he hasnt returned.Smith said Sunday that the team remains in communication with Hopkins and is hopeful of his return.Were in constant communication, Smith said of his current reelationship with Hopkins.dddddddddddd. I never negotiate in the media, and were not in a negotiation, and our conversations Ill keep between us. But its positive dialogue, and like I said, hes expressed himself. Weve been clear with him with respect to our position as well, and hopefully hell be in pretty soon.New starting quarterback Brock Osweiler said Sunday that he also continues to talk with Hopkins, his expected top receiver. Hopkins had 111 catches, 1,521 yards and 11 touchdowns during the 2015 season while working with four different quarterbacks in Houston.DeAndre and I are definitely having communication among each other, Osweiler said. First of all, hes a great friend and a great teammate. Im going to be there to support him, but he has to handle his business with the team, and I need to focus on the guys that are here and ready to work.But certainly I support DeAndre, and whatever he has to do. And thats his business, between him and the team.Watt, who is currently on Houstons physically unable to perform list as he recovers from recent back surgery, said he understands Hopkins position.Im a player, so I advocate for players getting paid, Watt said on Sunday. If I was in the front office, Im sure my answer would be different. But Im a player, and I know that a career is short. And if he feels this is what he needs to do, then this is what he needs to do.Second-year receiver Jaelen Strong, rookie Will Fuller and veteran slot receiver Cecil Shorts received the majority of repetitions on Sunday with Osweiler and the first-team offense.We respect DeAndre and his abilities and his contributions to our football team, and his future contributions to our football team, Smith said. But hes not here.Were here, were working, and our football team had a good day today. Thats where our focus is. ' ' '