ESSENDON chairman Paul Little has upped his attack on the Herald Sun, saying he is disgusted and sickened that the newspaper named the 14 current and former Bombers players identified in ASADA's initial report into the club's 2011-2012 supplements program.

Ten of the players are still in the Essendon squad, while two are now playing for rival clubs and another two are playing suburban football.

Little responded to the article on Sunday morning in an open later to members, saying Essendon was "frustrated and disappointed" that the Herald Sun had published the players' names when ASADA had yet to formally complete its report or issue infraction notices.

But the Bombers chairman used far stronger language to describe the report at Essendon's season launch in South Melbourne on Monday night.

"I can't help but find words other than disgraceful and total disgust for what the Herald Sun printed in their Sunday newspaper about our players," Little said.

"It was unnecessary. It added no value to the investigation process and to intrude into the lives of individuals takes this whole investigation down to a new level.

"Personally, I feel sickened by it. I'm very, very upset about it."

Little said the players named had had to explain the contents of the article to concerned family members.

"They shouldn't be placed in that situation. In a very trusting and truthful approach to this process, they did what we asked them to do," Little said.

"They can hold their heads high and, for sure, the Herald Sun can't do that."

Little said the Bombers' administration had been reinvigorated in recent months, putting the club in a strong position to ensure the governance failures that led to the supplements saga would not occur again.

"We now, I believe, are well on the way to be able, with a high level of confidence, to ensure that the events that have plagued us in 2012-13 won't rear their head again," Little said.

Essendon coach James Hird has been replaced this year by former senior assistant Mark Thompson, as he completes a one-year suspension arising from the supplements saga.

Thompson resigned as Geelong coach at the end of 2010 with one year remaining on his contract, citing football burnout.

But Little said Thompson had rediscovered his coaching fire as he prepared to lead Essendon into the 2014 season.

"He's a driven man, he's back to his energised best," Little said.

"I'm thrilled with the way he's approached the pre-season. It has been a tough pre-season, which is absolutely appropriate I'm sure.

"But Mark has been very engaging with the board, with the administration, and he is the sort of person that I believe has a lot to prove.

"Myself and the board are both thrilled with the way Mark has taken up the challenge."