A DELEGATION of senior Essendon players met with AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan last week in the countdown to the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal's decision on whether they will face suspensions.
Captain Jobe Watson and fellow leaders Brendon Goddard and David Myers represented the Essendon players at the private meeting with McLachlan, which was held at the CEO's home.
An AFL spokesperson confirmed to AFL.com.au the talks had taken place.
"The Essendon players requested a meeting with Gillon, and he agreed to that meeting. It was a private meeting and we have no further comment to make," the spokesperson said.
Channel Seven reported on Tuesday evening the AFL's general counsel Andrew Dillon was also present for the talks, which were held last Monday evening.
It is understood potential outcomes of the Anti-Doping Tribunal were not discussed.
However, the players arranged the meeting to gain a better understanding from the AFL about the Tribunal process.
It is understood the club was aware of the meeting and fully supportive of it.
The Anti-Doping Tribunal is deliberating on whether 34 past and present Bombers are guilty of taking the banned peptide Thymosin beta-4.
Those players are serving provisional suspensions and could have any bans handed down by the Anti-Doping Tribunal backdated.
Goddard, who joined the Bombers at the end of 2012 as a restricted free agent, was not part of the club's supplements program.