AFL yet to announce decision on Essendon supplements saga
THE AFL has not made a decision on Essendon despite widespread speculation on Monday that the Bombers would be charged with bringing the game into disrepute.
It is possible the AFL will make a decision as early as Tuesday.
On Monday afternoon, Essendon coach James Hird wrote to the club's members insisting that he and his players are still focused on playing in the finals.
"I think it's fair to say that the players' preparation has been affected by the speculation and intensity of the press and the expectation of what's to come," Hird wrote.
"All I will say on the matter to you is that I am looking forward to dealing with the facts.
"As a coaching and playing group we will be doing everything we can to turn around our form slump over the next three rounds to ensure we go into September primed and ready to play finals football.
"One last message to you as the red and black faithful: continue the great support you have shown all year."
Meanwhile, sacked biochemist Stephen Dank has extended an olive branch towards the club by offering his assistance if the Bombers are sanctioned.
Dank told Channel Nine he would help them if they were stripped of points or fined.
"If the sanctions were to be placed on the club and not the players, then there would be an offer of assistance to the club in terms of what they would need to go forward with such a challenge," he said on Monday night's news.
"Stalin and Churchill sat around a table for six years and put their differences aside while they fought a common enemy.
"From my point of view, I think there's a common enemy here."
Dank insists that he still believes James Hird should "certainly" remain as coach, and has said that "since day one".
He has also denied administering WADA-banned substance thymosin beta 4 to the players.
"No I didn't, and that suggestion is being looked at by my barristers," he said.