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Essendon Skipper Jobe Watson has spoken of the devastation caused by the suspension of 34 past and present players, as the Bombers continue digesting the enormity of the darkest day in the club’s history.
The shock season-long bans handed down by the World Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday rocked the club to its foundations.
Twelve of the 34 affected by the ill-fated 2012 supplements program remain on Essendon’s playing list.
Coach John Worsfold will put his remaining squad members through their paces in a public training session at the club’s Tullamarine headquarters on Thursday morning.
More Essendon:
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» Essendon doping saga: What did we learn?
» Essendon need their fans in 2016
» What the Essendon bans could mean for the 2016 AFL season
Watson and his banned teammates will not be allowed to enter the club until November this year, with the 30-year-old also in danger of losing the Brownlow Medal he won in 2012.
He released a statement on behalf of the suspended group on Wednesday following Tuesday morning’s ruling to uphold WADA’s appeal.
“The decision announced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport … is devastating,” Watson said.
“We are struggling to come to terms with this decision and feel it does not support the players’ firm belief that we are innocent.
“Our legal team is conducting a thorough review of the decision and will explore any avenues available to us.
“The players would like to thank our families, our friends, our members and supporters for their unwavering support.
“We would also like to thank the AFLPA for their ongoing support throughout the last three years.
“We will not be making any further comment and ask the media to please respect our privacy during this extremely challenging period.”
WADA appealed to CAS after the AFL anti-doping tribunal ruled in March last year that there was insufficient evidence to find the players guilty of doping offences arising from the supplements program.
The Bombers are bracing for the prospect of legal action by the players but were buoyed by a show of support from fans on Wednesday.
Essendon’s official membership Twitter account noted that 24 members had “walked away” on the day the suspensions were announced, while 627 members had re-signed.
The club also announced it had surpassed 40,000 members – only the second time in its 142-year history that the milestone has been passed in January.
“Our players, coaches and staff are truly grateful to our members for their loyalty, passion and commitment to the club, particularly during such a challenging period,” chief executive Xavier Campbell said.
“As a club we know we will get through this challenging period together, our members make us stronger and continue to show they’re behind us on this journey.”
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