Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank says he intends to front the AFL appeals board and believes he can still clear the 34 banned Essendon players and see Jobe Watson's Brownlow Medal returned.
But Essendon star Dyson Heppell was not paying any credence to Dank's claims, saying he was "sick and tired" of the five-year doping saga.
Dank, who did not attend the opening day of his appeal against a lifetime ban for doping offences on Monday, told FiveAA radio that he still intended to front the AFL appeals board.
He had sent a letter to the appeals board through his former lawyers, saying he could not attend because of a family medical emergency.
But the disgraced sports scientist, who was central to the Bombers' ill-fated 2012 supplement program, insisted he could still clear the names of the "Essendon 34" who all had to sit out the 2016 season due to doping offences.
"My most desired outcome, of course, is for everyone to be cleared," Dank said.
"Unfortunately players have served suspensions so that time can't be given back to the players ... but I think by the time we've finished this hearing Jobe will have his Brownlow back ... I've got no problems with that."
Watson was one of 34 past and present Bombers players banned for the 2016 season for violations of the anti-doping code arising from the club's 2012 supplements program, overseen by Dank.
Watson's returned Brownlow Medal was awarded to Richmond's Trent Cotchin and Sam Mitchell – then with Hawthorn – by the AFL Commission last week.
Heppell, who was one of the 34 suspended past and present Bombers, was "extremely gutted" when Watson was stripped of his Brownlow but now that closure has finally arrived for his club, he is keen to put the protracted scandal behind him.
"We're ready to move forward and not really have to worry about all that to be honest," Heppell told SEN on Tuesday.
"It was quite sad reading his (Jobe's) statement that afternoon (when he handed back his Brownlow).
"Obviously he's been amazing for this footy club, especially throughout this period, and he's got our full support.
"We just want what's best for Jobe and really want to help him get through it.
"He's handled himself immensely well and it just shows the true character and what he stands for. He's a champion and we're hoping he can get through this get cracking with his footy again."
Lawyers representing the AFL and ASADA could barely contain their scorn at Dank's late request to adjourn, saying the appeal should be thrown out.
But Dank said on radio that he had not been stalling. "We ran this on our timetable," he said. "That's your view [that we are holding things up]."
After deliberating behind closed doors for half an hour, the three-man board said it would adjourn until December 1.
By 5pm this Friday, Dank also must provide details about the medical emergency including the hospital, the date of his relative's admission and a report from the treating doctor.
Dank said he would have no issue producing such documentation but expressed disappointment that the reason for his request had been made public.
Dank is a key figure in the Essendon supplements saga.
He was banned for life from working in any sport here or overseas after the AFL anti-doping tribunal found him guilty of 10 anti-doping code breaches.
with AAP