Did Essendon players take banned drugs?
Neither the AFL or Essendon can answer it.
What does it mean for Saturday night's game between Essendon and Richmond?
What attitude do the Bombers take? Flat out, in a bid to stick it to the AFL one last time? Or will they really care? Do they turn up just to take their frustrations out on finals-bound Richmond?
Who will coach Essendon next year?
Mark Thompson doesn't want to be a head coach again. He's known to dislike dealing with the media, which will pepper him with peptide questions. But will Essendon officials lean on him to become a stop-gap? Do they trust one of their untried assistants such as Simon Goodwin, who will coach against Richmond, or Sean Wellman? Will a club outsider want to be a glorified seat-warmer until Hird returns after a likely 12-month suspension?
Can Hird return as coach after serving a ban?
They say a week is a long time in football. Well, how about a year? AFL chief Andrew Demetriou says Hird will be "welcomed back to the AFL family" but can Hird seriously expect to keep pace with the fast-moving industry? Will anyone ever believe in him again?
Will Essendon players walk out?
Legal experts reckon there is a case: that Essendon's failure to offer a safe workplace means players can terminate their contracts and walk to rival clubs. But will any other club want them, given they still could be charged with doping offences by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)?
What happens to Jobe Watson's Brownlow Medal?
The Essendon captain won it last year. But he's publicly admitted that he believes he took the anti-obesity drug AOD-9604 - which the World Anti-Doping Agency says is a prohibited substance. If charged by ASADA, does he keep the medal?
What happens to Stephen Dank?
It beggars belief that Dank, the sports scientist at the heart of the scandal, can refuse ASADA's interview requests. Why hasn't ASADA used its newly created powers and compelled Dank to talk?
What does it mean for Bruce Reid?
He's the longest-serving senior doctor in the AFL, with Essendon since 1982, but is fighting against the charges. His case resumes Thursday but will it impact on his ability to practice medicine? In a field where reputation is everything, and aged 67, is he damaged goods, regardless of the outcome of his case?
