OUTGOING AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou has called for ASADA to finalise its investigation into Essendon's 2012 supplements program, while also acknowledging his sympathy for the Bombers during the 15-month process.
It has been reported Essendon players could receive show-cause notices for taking part in the controversial program, but the club remains none the wiser about when - or if - the notices will be issued.
Demetriou said the lack of communication from ASADA was disappointing.
"It's very frustrating and I've got enormous sympathy for the club and the players," he told radio station 3AW on Monday evening.
"We do need to have some finality to this issue and it has to be stressful on the players, in particular.
"It doesn't matter which way you cook it, the uncertainty cannot be a good thing."
Meanwhile, Demetriou admitted the AFL has made some mistakes with how it has conducted the fixturing of games this season.
This year, the League introduced the concept of each club having two byes, with the byes spread over six weekends. The new-look fixture has not been popular with football fans.
"There's no doubt there are some issues around that, we've lost some momentum," he said.
"Whether we do that again in the future, we'll have to wait and see."
But he said it was unlikely there would be two byes in 2015, as the AFL must contend with fixturing games around the 2015 ICC World Cup, which runs from February 14 to March 29.
As Demetriou continued his round of final media interviews, he said his biggest regret was the AFL's inability to buy Etihad Stadium ahead of schedule.
The AFL is contracted to take ownership of the venue in 2025.
Demetriou said an earlier acquisition of the Docklands stadium would have helped resolve some of the equalisation issues that have plagued some clubs in recent years.
"It's not the biggest problem but it would have been nice to purchase Etihad Stadium earlier because I think it would have been good for our clubs," Demetriou told Footy Classified.
"2025 is when the AFL procures the stadium for $30 and I think it would be very advantageous if the League took it earlier.
"With the stadium I think we could do a few more things with it and perhaps get a bigger return for our clubs that play there.
"There's no doubt the clubs that play at Etihad Stadium have almost borne the brunt of poor match returns and they've helped pay the stadium off, to be honest – the Bulldogs, the Kangaroos and St Kilda.
"It would have been a nice thing to have done but the fact is the AFL will get that stadium anyway by the agreement in 10 years and it's a great asset."
He also said the earlier purchase could allow for a change in ticketing policy with this year's variable system widely criticised, as well as the ability to "put pressure on other venues" by bringing prices down.
The cost of food, beverages and car parking has also been targeted by fans this season.
Demetriou departs as the AFL boss on Thursday after 11 years in the job, with newly-appointed CEO Gillon McLachlan officially taking the reins from Friday.
