A DEFIANT Stephen Dank claims he will soon present evidence that will clear the Essendon 34 and result in veteran Jobe Watson's 2012 Brownlow Medal being reinstated.
Dank's appeal against a lifetime sports ban has been adjourned until December 1 after the controversial sports scientist failed to attend a hearing of the AFL Appeals Board on Monday.
Dank sent an email on Sunday requesting his appeal be adjourned because a family member was in hospital with a life-threatening condition.
However, Dank spoke openly on Crocmedia's Sportsday program on Monday night, insisting he had "plenty" of evidence – including witness testimony – that could help clear the players' names, but said he would wait until the hearing resumed to air that evidence.
"My most desired outcome is for everyone to be cleared," Dank said.
"Unfortunately players have served suspensions so that time can't be given back to the players.
"I think by the time we finish this hearing Jobe will have his Brownlow back. I've got no problems with that."
Watson recently handed back his medal and the AFL awarded medals to the joint runners-up Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin.
Dank maintained his stance that the case surrounding the Essendon supplements program of 2012-13 had been poorly handled.
"There's been no evidence ever presented in the last four years which has absolutely robustly proven that the players used Thymosin beta-4. That evidence just doesn't exist," he said.
"My great hope is that we don't just clear myself but we also clear the players."
Dank, who revealed a close relative had been hospitalised on Wednesday November 16 after previously being diagnosed with kidney cancer, was adamant he would proceed with his appeal.
"We're certainly steadfast in our belief that we'll be there on the first of December and we'll certainly be attacking this with everything we've got," he said.
Despite submissions from the AFL and ASADA on Monday that Dank's appeal be dismissed, the Appeals Board adjourned the appeal to next Thursday on the condition Dank provided supporting documentation from his ill relative's hospital and treating doctor by Friday, November 25.
During Monday's hearing, counsel for ASADA, Patrick Knowles, said Dank had a history of non-compliance and despite being given "umpteen chances" by the Appeals Board was either not willing or didn't intend to appear at his appeal.
Knowles called for Dank's appeal to be dismissed for want of prosecution, urging the Appeals Board not to grant him "another indulgence".
Counsel for the AFL, Renee Enbom, submitted Dank's appeal should be dismissed on the basis of his continued failures to appear at hearings and meet evidentiary deadlines.
"There's no court in the state who would have tolerated the way Dank has conducted his case," Enbom said.
Enbom also said the 34 past and present Essendon players suspended for the 2016 season as a result of the 2012 supplements program overseen by Dank deserved some closure.
"It's time to bring this process to an end. Everyone, including the players, is entitled to some finality," Enbom said.
Dank was found guilty of 10 breaches of the AFL's anti-doping code in April last year.
He was subsequently banned for life from working in any sport in Australia or overseas by the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal.