JOBE Watson and Dustin Fletcher could miss this month's International Rules Test if they receive infraction notices before the clash with Ireland.

 

The Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel formally put 34 past and present Essendon on its register of findings on Thursday after the bulk of those players decided not to respond to ASADA show-cause notices alleging they used the banned peptide Thymosin beta-4 during the 2012 season.

 

AFL.com.au understands infraction notices could be issued to the players within days if the AFL and its general counsel Andrew Dillon decide there is enough evidence to proceed.

 

The AFL's anti-doping code specifies, under clause 12, that a player is ineligible to play in any match from the time an infraction notice is issued. AFL.com.au understands this clause would apply to the International Rules series.

 

Watson and Fletcher are the only players in the Australian team who were at Essendon when the 2012 supplements program was conducted.

 

The identities of the players placed on the register of findings has not been made public and there has been speculation Fletcher did not participate in the supplements program.

 

However, if either Watson or Fletcher have been entered onto the register of findings, they will almost certainly be ruled ineligible to play against Ireland in Perth on November 22 if issued with infraction notices before then.

 

It is believed the only way Watson or Fletcher could play in these circumstances would be to apply to the AFL Commission for a stay of their bans.

 

If infraction notices are issued, the past and present Essendon players will finally get the opportunity to plead their case before the AFL's Anti-Doping Tribunal.

 

It's hoped a Tribunal, chaired by former County Court judge David Jones, could be convened before Christmas.

 

Earlier this week, Essendon coach James Hird spent a day and a half in the Federal Court, appealing a ruling that ASADA's investigation into the supplements program was lawful.

 

Justices Susan Kenny, Tony Besanko and Richard White have reserved their judgement.

 

Players found guilty of taking performance-enhancing drugs face a maximum two-year suspension for a first offence, but the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal would have discretion to impose significantly reduced penalties if it found players were not personally at fault.