THE BOMBERS have responded to Friday night's news that the AFL has received the ASADA interim report. 

In a two-line statement, the Bombers said:

"The Essendon Football Club acknowledges the announcement by the AFL that they have received the ASADA interim report.

The club looks forward to receiving the report and responding in due course."

ASADA has described the investigation leading to the release to the AFL of the 400-page report on Friday as "thorough and robust".

Chief executive officer Aurora Andruska said in a statement: "As a result of the cooperation provided by the AFL and Essendon, the ASADA investigation has made considerable progress.

"However, it is a complex investigation and is ongoing. It is essential for the integrity of sport that ASADA comprehensively analyses the information it has now obtained. ASADA's enhanced powers, which came into effect on 1 August 2013, are now available to be used to ensure all possible anti-doping rule violations are fully investigated, and to finalise these matters as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"As a result, ASADA will not be providing any further comment on the investigation. This ensures the investigation’s integrity as well as protecting the privacy and rights of any affected individuals. ASADA has a duty of care to be both thorough and accurate in every step of the process."

THE AFL has received the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's report into Essendon's supplements program in 2011 and 2012.

On Friday night, AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon said he would now review the 400-page report and determine what action, if any, would be taken against the Bombers.

He did not say when his review would be complete.

Dillon also said the document he had received was only an "interim" report and, given recent changes to ASADA's powers, the investigation would be ongoing.

"I will oversee the AFL's response to the interim report and in due course will make the report available to the Essendon Football Club and the AFL Commission for their review," Dillon said.

"The AFL will continue to review the evidence collected to determine what action, if any, might be taken pursuant to the AFL rules and/or the AFL anti-doping code.

"The AFL acknowledges the intense interest in this matter and we will make further statements when appropriate."

Dillon said the report, which has taken six months to complete, referenced over 13,000 supporting documents, including transcripts of interviews with more than 130 witnesses.

The report was compiled with assistance from the AFL's integrity unit.

If Essendon players are found to have taken prohibited substances, they face bans of up to two years.

However, the Bombers have maintained a belief that their players were not administered anything illegal.

Possible sanctions against the club itself include a fine and loss of premiership points.