Essendon remain confident that despite the ongoing stress of the ASADA investigation, their AFL players will not face doping charges.
Interim coach Mark Thompson said they had not done any planning for a scenario where ASADA could serve infraction notices over the Bombers’ 2011-12 supplements program.
Essendon are furious with media reports on Sunday that named several current and former players who gave evidence in the early stages of last year’s ASADA investigation.
But Thompson says all the club can do is prepare for the upcoming season.
“We don’t go into any planning on that,” Thompson told Fox Footy on Monday night at the club’s season launch.
“We don’t really think or believe we should have to worry.
“We never sit down as a group and say ‘what if so-and-so got an infraction notice?’
“We believe it’s not going to happen … it hasn’t happened and so we’re just getting on with business – that’s all we can do.”
Club chairman Paul Little used his speech at the season launch to again strongly criticise the Herald Sun for Sunday’s story.
“I can’t … find words other than disgraceful and total disgust for what the Herald Sun printed in their Sunday newspaper about our players,” Little said.
“It was unnecessary, it added no value to the investigation process and to intrude into the lives of individuals takes this whole investigation down to a new level.
“Personally, I feel sickened by it.
“They (the players) can hold their heads high and, for sure, the Herald Sun can’t do that.”
Thompson said the Bombers had stayed resilient during the supplements scandal and would grow stronger out of it.
“I’ve been back for my fourth year now and the feeling this year is the strongest it’s ever been,” Thompson said.
“We have our supporters closer to the team … to the heartbeat of the club.
“This is a tight family – we are going to be strong and support each other.
“We’ll get through this and come through this maybe an even better, stronger club in the future because of what’s happened.”
Thompson added the Bombers were determined to not let the ongoing saga distract them.
“We are desperate – absolutely desperate – to stick to footy in 2014.
“It’s really important we keep focusing on the positives around the footy.
“The players have been fantastic, they’re a resilient group and they’ll bounce back.”
Thompson, who is coaching the team while James Hird serves his 12-month AFL suspension, has high hopes for this season.
“I have no doubts it will be a good year – maybe not a premiership this year? Who knows?” he said.
“I’m not going to say we can’t do it.
“We just want consistent performers.”