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SUSPENDED past and present Essendon players will consider over the weekend how to proceed with compensation claims relating to their season-long ban for violating the anti-doping code.

They are also yet to rule out appealing the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision that was delivered on Tuesday.

The 34 players met as a collective with the AFL Players' Association on Friday morning to discuss for the first time the issues that have arisen as a result of the decision.

The players were told what options were available in relation to legal action and how a class action might work in relation to compensation claims from the club.

AFL.com.au understands the recommended course of action is for the players to lodge their claim as a group, with different players obviously in line for different compensation depending on their circumstances.

AFLPA CEO Paul Marsh, who lashed out at the CAS decision on Tuesday, told ABC News a range of issues were covered at the meeting.

"They have been united the whole way through the process and I don't see that changing now, but there are individual circumstances here that every player has and we need to respect those," Marsh said.

"We'd prefer to settle this thing if we can, but it's got to be on the right terms for every single player and if that's not achievable then all our options are still on the table."

The players were also informed of the likelihood of an appeal and on what basis lawyers were examining the ruling. 

Marsh said appealing the decision remained a possibility.

"We're certainly looking into every option and we've got our lawyers working on that and we certainly haven't got a position on that yet," he said.