Every listed Australian Football League side Essendon player from '12 "would be allowed to withdraw" from all '15 preseason games under an AFL proposal that would help "hide the identities of Bombers players charged with taking performance-enhancing drugs," according to Caroline Wilson of THE AGE. But the Bombers have balked at the "suggested compromise, citing health and safety concerns as both parties worked desperately to reach a solution to the NAB Challenge dilemma." The AFL solution would leave Essendon with an "estimated 18 senior and rookie-listed players, with one-third of those currently unavailable in rehabilitation or restricted training." It came as all Essendon senior-listed players "remained adamant they would not play in the NAB Challenge if it exposed the identity of some 20 players of the total 34 still at the club facing suspensions." With ASADA "still refusing to give guarantees that any illegal doping suspensions would be back-dated, it appears increasingly likely those players charged will not bid to play in the pre-season competition." AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan refused to comment on the talks and "would not be drawn on whether the AFL would deliver an ultimatum to the Bombers" (THE AGE, 2/9).
