• Essendon players cleared of all doping charges
• How the AFL world reacted to the verdict
• Full statement from the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal
• D-Day as it happened: News, photos, tweets and more
AFL PLAYERS' Association CEO Paul Marsh says Essendon can not be absolved of the blame for the governance of its 2012 supplements program.
"The AFL Players' Association welcomes today's tribunal decision into which all 34 current and former Essendon players have been cleared by an anti-doping rule violation," Marsh said on Tuesday.
"We have always been of the view that these players have done nothing wrong and this has been confirmed today.
"This decision does not absolve the Essendon football club of blame. The players were placed in an unacceptable positon that put their health and careers at risk.
"For over two years these players' lives have been hijacked by this issue through no fault of their own and today's decision brings a sense of overwhelming relief and vindication of the player's consistent position of innocence throughout this saga
"The players have withstood enormous uncertainty, public scrutiny and speculation over their health, their careers and their reputations.
"This decision finally brings that uncertainty and speculation to an end.
Meanwhile the AFL Coaches Association has underlined its support for Essendon coach James Hird in the wake of the verdict.
In a memo to AFLCA members, chairman John Worsfold said: "We are thrilled at this outcome, which is a great result for the game. We are also very pleased for James Hird."
The AFLCA implemented a crisis management plan in response to the Essendon saga and how it has impacted Hird, who was banned from coaching for 12 months for his part in the club's governance failings during the 2012 supplements program.
It has since faced a challenge reintegrating the 42-year-old into the coaching fraternity.
Worsfold encouraged the League's coaches to refrain from commenting on Hird's role in the long-running saga.
"We encourage each of you to apply this rule on this occasion," he wrote.
"The board reaffirms its commitment to assist all AFLCA members, whenever he or she is in need. And one day this could be you."
