On behalf of the 18 captains of all AFL clubs, AFL Players’ Association Vice-President Matthew Pavlich has condemned the naming of Essendon players in newspapers on Sunday.

Speaking at AFL Captains Day at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday Pavlich made the following statement:

"As leaders of the playing group, we think it’s appropriate to stand up, and lend our voice and influence, in condemning the mistreatment of vulnerable players. That is our responsibility.

"It is the view of the captains of all 18 AFL clubs that the decision to name and publish photos of current and former Essendon Football Club players in the press on Sunday falls short of standards of respect and decency that we hope would characterize the relationship between players and the media.

"Regardless of what you think about what happened at Essendon Football Club in 2012, there is no doubt these players are in an unenviable and vulnerable position.

"As Andew Demetriou said on Monday, we’re fortunate the game is so well covered by the Australian Media. But just as we (the players) are accountable for everything we do on and off the field, we think it’s important to point our conduct which we think falls short when we see it.

"So without laboring the point, taking any further unnecessary action or holding grudges, let’s al take stock, reflect on how we would like to be treated both individually and collectively, and work together to continue to showcase the game, its players and its stories in a fair and respectable manner."