DUMPED Essendon high-performance manager Dean Robinson is taking the club to the Supreme Court for a breech of contract.
It has been reported that Robinson is seeking between $1.5 and $2 million in compensation.
'The Weapon', as he was known in football circles, was stood down by the Bombers in February after the club self-reported to ASADA and the AFL.
He said he was given no reason why he was shown the door at Windy Hill and claimed he was made a scapegoat for the club's supplements scandal that saw senior coach James Hird banned for a year.
Robinson wanted to clear his name by having the case heard entirely in court; cutting a deal with Essendon was not an option.
Robinson's lawyers, Grant Walker of Madgwicks, told The Age: ''He just wanted to be treated like everyone else and just wasn't. Everyone else got a fair chance and Essendon made a point of standing by everybody but him."
Essendon, which has avoided lengthy court time following its supplements scandal, was expected to issue a short statement in response on Friday.
The Bombers appointed Mark Thompson as interim coach on Thursday, with Neil Craig unveiled in the new position of head of coaching, development and strategy.
Thompson will coach through 2014 while James Hird serves a 12-month suspension, but he – among other club staff – could be called to give testimony as part of Robinson's court action.
The two-time Geelong premiership coach was fined $30,000 for his involvement in the Bombers' supplements scandal.
Football manager Danny Corcoran was suspended for four months, while the AFL dropped charges against club doctor Bruce Reid.
Essendon players have so far escaped without infraction notices, but the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is continuing its investigation into the club's 2012 supplements program.
