Essendon have hosted AFL bosses Andrew Demetriou and Gill McLachlan as the two bodies try to rebuild the relationship that collapsed during the supplements scandal.
The AFL chief executive and his most senior deputy visited the Bombers’ new Tullarmarine headquarters on Monday.
Essendon posted video of Demetriou and McLachlan meeting with Essendon figures, including chairman Paul Little, star player Dyson Heppell and assistant coach Simon Goodwin.
“We really feel this is an important part of us turning the corner,” Little said.
“We have to have a strong relationship with the AFL – 2013 was an average year for the relationship.
“So we’re about trying to rebuild with them and rebuild in many other ways.”
There was also footage of Demetriou chatting with club doctor Bruce Reid, who launched court action against the league to fight his charges before a settlement was reached.
One of the league’s most powerful clubs was at war with the league last year as Essendon battled AFL charges over their 2012 supplements program.
After tense negotiations, the Bombers were kicked out of the finals and fined $2 million, as well as losing valuable draft picks.
Senior coach James Hird is also serving a 12-month suspension.
While the relationship between the Hird camp and senior AFL figures remains acrimonious, Essendon and the league are trying to make peace.
Demetriou said there was genuine goodwill between the league and Essendon.
“There’s no doubt last year was (testing), but I think everyone from the AFL and Essendon want to move forward and work together,” Demetriou said.
“Our view … is we want Essendon to succeed and we’ll do everything we can to help.
“The club have made progress on so many fronts – besides coming to this facility, they’ve put practices in already around their integrity unit.
“They’ve taken up a lot of the recommendations around the protocols required to safeguard the club.”
Demetriou said he was impressed by Essendon’s new administration and training facility.
“It’s super-dooper impressive – it’s probably much larger than I expected and I mean it’s just first class,” he said.
“If you’re a player, gosh you’d be wanting to come to training every day.”
He joked that the only downside of the new facility is every other club will want to replicate it.
Essendon remain under ASADA investigation because of the supplements program, with no deadline set for any findings.
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