Ex-teammate's partner pivotal in Watson return
Scott Gumbleton was a source of much frustration for Essendon fans over seven injury-riddled years, but they should be thankful to his girlfriend.
Supplements Saga
Jobe Watson's decision to play on makes Bombers' 2017 prospects brighter still
Essendon was already heading into season 2017 in a better place than it had known for years. Now that skipper Jobe Watson has recommitted to the cause, the Bombers’ prospects are brighter still.
Melbourne-bound Hibberd no longer angry at Dons
Michael Hibberd's anger towards Essendon has abated, and he says the Bombers looked after him during his six years at the club.
Worsfold sets deadline for Jobe Watson's decision
Jobe Watson has been told he needs to make a call on his playing future within a fortnight.
Bombers start cruising back to base as ban lifts
David Myers arrived at Essendon's base in Tullamarine on Wednesday morning, for the first time since he was banned from football for doping.
Dons get good news ahead of player returns
A day before their suspended stars become free to return to the club, Essendon received further good news after No.6 draft pick Aaron Francis agreed to a two-year contract extension.
CAS expects Essendon player appeal verdict in November
The AFL will enjoy clear air during finals from a drug case that has haunted it for four years, provided the timing of the Essendon player appeal verdict expected by world sport's chief arbiter - which is party to the landmark dispute - proves correct. The Court of Arbitration for Sport, which ruled 34 Bomber players would incur 12-month suspensions for banned substance use, has told Fairfax Media it does not expect ultimate judgment on the matter until November; at least four weeks after this season's AFL grand final.
Don't talk to me about 'Danksy', says an emotional Hurley
Stepping back into football after a year where he sought refuge abroad and returned with half his face covered by hair, banned Essendon player Michael Hurley has invited broad questioning with one clear no-go zone: Stephen Dank. In a filmed nine-minute interview to be broadcast by Channel Nine on Wednesday night, Hurley makes no secret of the fact he entertained changing clubs due to the drug scandal that halted him at peak of his AFL powers.
Parish desperate for return of the banned as Hurley reveals his anger
Emerging Essendon midfielder Darcy Parish says the Bombers look forward to welcoming their banned teammates back into the fold.
Watson wants to come back: Worsfold
Essendon coach John Worsfold thinks Jobe Watson wants to play at the Bombers in 2017.
Should the banned Bombers come back?
Why Essendon could be better off letting Michael Hibberd leave.
Banned Bombers to meet in Croatia
A group of Essendon players suspended for an anti-doping breach will meet in Croatia this week to discuss their plans for 2017.
Dons offer new deal to defender
One of Essendon's good news stories in 2016 is on track to continue beyond this season, with the Bombers offering key defender Michael Hartley a new two-year contract.
Player agents fear compo claims against Dons will drag into 2017
Player agents fear the compensation claims against Essendon over the 2012 injecting program will drag on into 2017 - although the Bombers insist they will be finalised in a "timely manner".
Mid-year report: Essendon failing, but trying hard
There was no precedent for the situation the Bombers found themselves in this season. With the core of their senior team suspended by WADA Essendon was tipped for the wooden spoon.
Stanton leaning towards playing on in 2017
Brent Stanton says he is "leaning towards" returning to football in 2017 and hasn't given much thought to the prospect of leaving Essendon.
Roos defends Dees' Hibberd interest
Melbourne coach Paul Roos says he sympathises with Essendon counterpart John Worsfold, but insists the Demons have not broken any rules in approaching contracted Bomber Michael Hibberd.
Dons chief hits back at Koch
Essendon chief executive Xavier Campbell has questioned the professionalism of Port Adelaide chairman David Koch - who suggested last week that it was "not a great look" for the Bombers to receive the No. 1 draft pick this year.
Players deserve some blame for bans: Ryder
Paddy Ryder has conceded that Essendon players deserve some of the blame for the suspensions that wiped them out of football this year.
Tom Bellchambers the latest Bomber to recommit
Ruckman Tom Bellchambers, one of a dozen suspended current Essendon players, has confirmed he will remain with the club.
Hird's father joins fight to save Watson's Brownlow
The father of former Essendon coach James Hird has joined the fight for Jobe Watson to retain his Brownlow Medal.
Banned Dons set to undergo independent health checks
Past and present Essendon players seeking compensation from the club as a result of anti-doping bans are preparing to undergo independent mental and physical checks.
Essendon saga: senator lodges FOI request for ASADA legal advice
The fight for the release of secret documents linked to the Essendon supplements saga has taken a twist, with independent senator John Madigan lodging a Freedom of Information request.
Worsfold's warning to Watson
Essendon coach John Worsfold says he warned Jobe Watson not to return to the Bombers next year unless the captain can give his "full heart and soul" to the game.
Banned Dons asked to release secret documents
Thirty-two past and current Essendon players have been asked to release secret documents detailing why they were initially cleared of an anti-doping breach by an AFL tribunal.
Heppell sticking with Dons
Essendon star Dyson Heppell says he is "super excited" after becoming the fifth of the banned Bombers to re-commit to the club for 2017.
Tanner defends David Evans' legacy
Essendon chairman Lindsay Tanner has leapt to the defence of his predecessor David Evans, after Evans was publicly criticised by former board member Beverly Knight for taking the club backwards whilst he was in the role.
Essendon saga: Hird hits out at ASADA chief and government
The father of former Essendon coach James Hird has described anti-doping chief Ben McDevitt as a "hypocrite" and says the decision to not allow the release of secret documents relating to the supplements saga as "disingenuous".
McLachlan lobbying for release of tribunal report
AFL chief Gillon McLachlan is lobbying 32 of the 34 banned current and former Essendon players to approve the public release of the AFL anti-doping tribunal's full report.
Why ASADA chief refused to release documents
Ben McDevitt has been pitched into the role of firefighter these days, detouring him from the responsibility as chief executive of ASADA, the government body responsible for combating drugs in sport.
Essendon board was divided, Evans was impatient: ex-director
Former Essendon director Beverly Knight says the board she stepped down from was a backroom recipe for disaster – a divided board led by a chairman impatient for a premiership while seemingly en route to the AFL Commission.
How much has the Essendon saga cost?
James Hird's latest defeat in court – this time being slugged with a bill for $660,000 – is another chapter in a saga that could eventually cost more than $35 million.
Ryder a 'bit lost' as doping suspension takes toll
Banned Port Adelaide star Paddy Ryder has been struggling to deal with his year-long anti-doping suspension but took comfort from being welcomed back for a night into the Power fold.
Watson won't play for another club
Tim Watson says his son, Jobe, won't play at a club other than Essendon in 2017.
Madigan gets secret Essendon documents released
Independent Victorian senator John Madigan has won his bid to secure the release of secret documents relating to the Essendon injecting program.