Former Australian Football League side Essendon fitness chief Dean Robinson "clinched a settlement with the Bombers," according to Jon Pierik of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. There had been speculation that Essendon had offered Robinson A$800,000 ($705,000) "to settle his year-long case" but it is understood the final figure is closer to A$1M. Robinson's lawyer Grant Walker, of Madgwicks Lawyers, said, "The matter is resolved." Robinson, dubbed "The Weapon," had initially sought A$2M, including damages, for allegedly being the "scapegoat" of the club's '12 supplements program. The club has been "keen to settle in recent days," particularly since AFL Chair Mike Fitzpatrick urged Bombers Chair Paul Little to "end the bitter stand-off" (SMH, 10/2). In Sydney, Caroline Wilson wrote the official removal of Essendon coach James Hird "is expected to take place in the coming days after a series of crisis talks on Thursday in which he requested more time to consider his options and attempt to persuade the club to retain him." The Bombers' preference "is for Hird to resign with his payout details yet to be finalised." That "was the strong message" to Hird on Wednesday from Little. Little said that "a decision on the coach would follow a board meeting on Monday but Hird could be removed as soon as this weekend" (SMH, 10/2). In Melbourne, Jake Niall wrote the AFL Players Association wants a resolution to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority-Essendon saga for the players and does not believe an appeal by Hird should "disrupt" the process. The players' union -- which is leading the legal defense of 34 current and ex-Essendon players facing potential bans -- said it was in the interests of all parties to "expedite" the process and "bring it to a conclusion" (THE AGE, 10/1).
