ESSENDON has been forced to apologise for trying to recruit SANFL players without notifying their clubs, despite agreeing to the process last week.
The SANFL, AFL and the Bombers agreed that any communication with the state league's players must be directed through the clubs.
Instead, Essendon bypassed them completely and announced on Tuesday that North Adelaide's Mitch Clisby and Woodville/West Torrens' Jared Petrenko had "verbally" agreed to join the Dons’ NAB Challenge squad.
North Adelaide boss Gred Edwards spoke on behalf of the SANFL CEOs on Wednesday and described the Bombers' conduct as disrespectful.
"They called this morning and spoke to Darryl Wintle, our footy manager, and apologised for the lack of respect that they showed us," Edwards said.
"I've got nothing against Essendon – I know the guys there really well – but it was disappointing to find out from a player that he'd been approached by another club, as a contracted player."
SANFL clubs also remain in the dark on any further details around Essendon's potential employment of its contracted players.
SANFL CEO Jake Parkinson said he would remain in contact with the Bombers and the AFL to try to clarify the situation.
Parkinson met with his league's club bosses at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.
"We set clear expectations that Essendon would contact clubs on their way to speaking with players … the AFL were very clear on what the pathway was, " Parkinson said.
"We would have preferred the respect of a direct phone call for contracted players.
"We're now in the situation where we don't have very many details … what happens with injuries? What would be the compensation? What would happen with player payments and the like?
"[The unanswered questions] are numerous."
Parkinson said he understood Essendon would subsequently follow the agreed routes of communication in any future attempts to recruit SANFL players.
