An Essendon fan whose work revolves around football was asked in passing conversation during the week how he thought the Bombers would fare in 2017. "They'll finish somewhere between 2nd and 16th," he said.
Stewart Crameri feels a strange mix, rusty but fresh, as he returns from his season supplements suspension to join the Bulldogs premiership defence.
Former Essendon chairman David Evans has made a quiet return to the Bombers that was as understated as it was unexpected. Evans was another face in small crowd at a recent practice match.
Essendon great Kevin Sheedy has launched an impassioned defence of James Hird and has called for patience in his recovery from an overdose.
AFL Players' Association chief Paul Marsh says the union has reached out to offer its support to James Hird.
Unrelenting pressure on a sporting field or a coaching box is one thing. But that ceases, at least temporarily, when the game is over.
Travis Colyer walked back to his car, got in, but didn't drive home straight away.
Despite being banned from the game for a year, Dyson Heppell has learned plenty. Now, he's even more qualified to take over as Essendon captain should the opportunity arise.
ASADA has taken aim at disgraced sports scientist Stephen Dank after his appeal against a lifetime ban from sport was formally thrown out by the AFL Appeal Board on Monday.
Stephen Dank would not explain why he he failed to provide any paperwork to the AFL anti-doping appeal board before his deadline on Friday, but remained insistent the panel would eventually hear his case.
The compensation claims against the Essendon Football Club over the supplements saga continue to progress, as 18 players settle with the club.
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.
Stephen Dank's appeal hearing has been postponed until December 1, after the controversial sports scientist failed to attend the hearing on Monday morning.
AFL appeals board chairman Peter O'Callaghan, QC, will allow oral testimony at Monday's hearing with Stephen Dank, although Dank and his lawyers remain unaware of this.
For Essendon midfielder and leader David Myers, a 12-month suspension over the supplements saga has not only proved a blessing in disguise, but offered a brighter perspective on life as a professional footballer.
Stephen Dank, the architect of the Essendon supplements program, is set to appear before the AFL appeals board on Monday but is angry no oral submissions will be allowed.
This was a decision the AFL Commission would have agonised over - but in the end the right call was made to award the 2012 Brownlow Medal retrospectively to Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin.
Jobe Watson says he is still hurting from his agonising call to cede his 2012 Brownlow Medal, as former teammates said they were "shattered" for the Essendon captain.
Football should do what it can to make Sam Mitchell and Trent Cotchin's Brownlow Medal moment one to cherish.
Jobe Watson is yet to come to a decision on whether or not to fight for the 2012 Brownlow medal that could be stripped from him next week.
Essendon will meet with Jobe Watson's management this week as both parties prepare for the historic November 15 AFL Commission meeting at which the fate of Watson's 2012 Brownlow medal will be decided.
Prominent lawyer David Galbally says he cannot find a legal route for Jobe Watson to retain his Brownlow Medal.
Lawyers representing the Essendon 34 claim the comments of ASADA Chief Executive Ben McDevitt following the failed appeal to the Swiss court are incorrect.
The clear appeal loss that stamps 34 Essendon footballers with doping offences for life has been termed "not a real surprise" to the sports arbiter the AFL players challenged in a faraway court. In light of the finding, secretary general of the international Court of Arbitration for Sport, Matthieu Reeb, has told Fairfax Media the Bomber players' challenge appeared doomed from the outset.
Jobe Watson should keep his Brownlow Medal, according to the man who preceded him in winning the award.
As Sam Mitchell stunned the football world on his 34th birthday by outlining the very real prospect he could be joining West Coast, so too did the prospect he could become a Brownlow medallist in the coming weeks
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd says it's highly unlikely Jobe Watson will keep his Brownlow medal.
Essendon top-up players Matt Dea and James Kelly are coming back to the Bombers in 2017.
Scott Gumbleton was a source of much frustration for Essendon fans over seven injury-riddled years, but they should be thankful to his girlfriend.
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.
Michael Hibberd's anger towards Essendon has abated, and he says the Bombers looked after him during his six years at the club.
Jobe Watson has been told he needs to make a call on his playing future within a fortnight.
David Myers arrived at Essendon's base in Tullamarine on Wednesday morning, for the first time since he was banned from football for doping.
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.
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.