New AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has assured all 18 clubs that there will be no repeat of the mutual animosity of 2013 between Essendon and head office as the league braces itself for action within weeks from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Conceding the AFL faced some challenges as the ASADA investigation of the Bombers moved to its next stage, McLachlan was at pains at Wednesday's summit of club chiefs to stress his support for the troubled club and its players.
Confirming he had met ASADA's new boss, Ben McDevitt, last week, McLachlan is understood to have then had long talks with Bombers chairman Paul Little, who has been denied communication with the anti-doping agency and remains, like McLachlan, deeply concerned for the welfare of the Essendon players.
McLachlan has assured Little he will step down from the commission in order to handle the expected action from ASADA, which should take place within a fortnight and is expected to see show-cause letters distributed to some players and staff.
The Bombers have also made peace with the AFL Players Association and the two parties are working closely in mounting a strong legal challenge should players be charged with breaching the anti-doping code.
McDevitt told McLachlan he expected the next stage of his investigation to move by the middle of June.
