THE AFL will meet this morning where it is likely that Essendon will be booted out of the finals.
The meeting, commencing at 8am, will bring some closure to the Essendon saga which has been ongoing for seven months.
It is expected that along with the stripping of premiership points for 2013, Essendon will also receive a seven-figure fine, a suspension for coach James Hird and Football Manager Danny Corcoran while Mark Thomspon is expected to receive a fine and any potential sanction for club doctor Bruce Reid is still up in the air, though it is expected he will resign this week after a career with the club spanning 32 years.
Draft picks may still be stripped from the club, with the exact draft sanction being the major sticking point over the weekend.
Facing a likely 12-month suspension, Hird has expressed his desire to return from any potential period out of the game.
“I want to come back if I am suspended,” he said.
“I love the players, I love the people I work with and this year has brought us close together.”
While the club will see closure from the AFL’s involvement in the issue, ASADA’s investigation is still ongoing and may still result in player suspensions.
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ST KILDA champions Stephen Milne, Jason Blake and Justin Koschitzke will retire at the end of this season.
Milne told team-mates yesterday that this would be his final year.
The trio, who have played 274, 218 and 199 games respectively, hope to play together one final time in a farewell game next weekend against Fremantle.
Coach Scott Watters praised the retiring trio for their years of service for the club.
“You couldn’t get three better team men, and I can’t speak highly enough of the way those players have helped mentor the younger players coming through,” Watters said.
“They’re three very selfless individuals, and I just hope everybody comes out and gets right behind and acknowledges them in what will be their last games in our colours.
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LENNY HAYES will play on for one final year after re-signing with the Saints on a one-year deal.
Hayes, who turns 34 in January, only decided to play on after he was convinced he could stand up to the rigours of another AFL season.
“Committing to a 16th season of AFL football is not a decision I have come to lightly but after taking everything into consideration, I am fully dedicated to playing for our proud club once again next year,” he said.
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SYDNEY champion Jude Bolton is today expected to announce his retirement.
afl.com.au are reporting that the Swan veteran of 321 games will retire on his own accord.
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