The AFL looks set to confirm Essendon are out of this year’s finals as part of their punishment over the supplements saga.

Bombers assistant coach Mark Thompson emerged from AFL House late on Tuesday afternoon, saying he didn’t believe the club would play finals this year, before returning inside.

Talks to agree on penalties over the AFL club’s suspect 2012 supplements program have continued all day after discussions throughout Monday ended without a breakthrough.

Essendon, coach James Hird, club doctor Bruce Reid, assistant coach Thompson and Bombers football manager Danny Corcoran have all been charged with bringing the game into disrepute arising from the supplements program.

An announcement over at least the issue of Essendon’s finals participation appears imminent, with speculation rife the Bombers won’t be playing in September despite locking up a top eight spot several weeks ago.

But there is no firm word yet on the fate of those charged, as well as any possible fines or loss of draft picks for Essendon.

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