JAMES HIRD's legal battle is over, with the defiant Essendon coach deciding against a High Court appeal to allow the club to "move on and play football".
The Bombers coach fought on against the club's wishes, appealing a Federal Court decision about the legality of ASADA's investigation into the supplements scandal.
Three judges of the Full Court of the Federal Court found no grounds for appeal, leaving the High Court as Hird's last option.
The coach said he had fought his battle on principle and he remained convinced that the players and club staff had not been afforded the rights they deserved by ASADA.
However, continuing his legal battle would have prevented the Bombers from moving on and chasing on-field success in 2015.
"It's been very disappointing what's happened the last two years and the way our football club has been treated and we hope we get the chance to get on and do what we do best and that's play football," Hird said on Friday afternoon.
"This decision is based in trying to give us the best chance in 2015 of winning as many games of football as we can.
"Fundamentally we still believe our players weren't treated the way they should have been treated with confidentiality and certain aspects that the average Australian is given.
"Ultimately we hope the players are cleared through the Tribunal process, which is about to be handed down very shortly."
Hird joined the club in its original action last year, claiming ASADA acted unlawfully by teaming up with the AFL to conduct investigations into the alleged use of banned peptides during 2012.
Thirty-four past and present Bombers players are currently waiting for the outcome of an AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal hearing, on charges of using banned peptide Thymosin beta-4.
Hird's legal team had until 4pm Friday to lodge paperwork with the High Court in Canberra.
Their decision not to proceed, however, was not from Hird a concession that ASADA's joint investigation with the AFL was lawful.
"We believe the investigation was unlawful and we still believe that," Hird said.
"It's been said that we've tried to suppress evidence, we've tried to hide things, but that's far from the truth.
"In making the decision the Federal Court made, we believe the rights of our players, support staff and every Australian athlete are less than the normal Australian."
Essendon will launch its NAB Challenge campaign against St Kilda on March 7 with all players listed in 2012 sitting out to preserve the anonymity of those handed infraction notices.
The AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal, which is considering whether those past and present Bombers will face bans, has been adjourned for more than a week as it comes to a decision.
