As reported today, Essendon and the AFL Players Association have met and offered further support to the 34 past and present players as the parties work through the next steps. 

Lawyers acting on behalf of the players were also at today’s meeting. 

“I’ve spent time over the last two days with the players both as a group and also one-on-one,” Essendon Chief Executive Xavier Campbell said. 

“They’re all at varying stages in coming to terms with this sanction and its impact. 

“There’s no doubt it’s hard not to feel an element of heartbreak for the group because playing football is their passion and they have enormous love for it. 

“To have that taken away so swiftly, in such a dramatic fashion, and after the precedent set by the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal, was hard for everyone.” 

The legal team representing the players is continuing to review the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s findings, before deciding upon a potential appeal. 

“The players have been taking briefings from their legal representatives,” Campbell said. 

“Lawyers are looking extremely closely at the decision before determining the next steps. 

“There is obviously a lot of frustration around the outcome and the reasoning and that’s something the lawyers will be speaking about with the players.” 

The other players on the Bombers list have returned to training and are continuing their preparation for the 2016 season. 

On Thursday, they were cheered on by hundreds of fans. 

That support, along with the nearly 3,000 supporters who have signed up as members, has also had a positive impact on the players affected by the CAS decision.

“A couple of the 12 players commented on how amazing it was to have the fans show their support for them,” Campbell said.

“The strength and resilience of the fans and the players has been a common theme over the last three years. 

“There is no doubting the fans love for the players, their respect for the players and their desire to help them through this next stage.

“They want them back playing and their continued support for the players will play an important role over the next few months in particular.”

The Club has begun assessing potential candidates to fill up to ten ‘top up’ spots on the list.

“The top-up program has now become a priority for us,” Campbell said.

“We’ve begun discussions with potential players and their managers while also working through our list requirements. 

“We want to ensure the players are a good fit for us in terms of their leadership capability, their experience and also the role they would fill.”