UPDATE: JAMES Hird and the Essendon coaching staff have met with the AFL Coaches Association as they face intensifying scrutiny in the wake of the supplements scandal that has rocked the club.??

Hird dodged questions when asked about his own future as he arrived at Windy Hill on Wednesday.
 
"I just want the players to be cleared and then we'll get on with the rest," Hird said. ??

He said the players remained worried.??

"Definitely, this sort of speculation is never good for anyone. We're just keen to get on with the investigation and clear everything up and get into the season," he said.??

Chief executive Ian Robson wouldn't comment on Hird's future.

"We're not engaging in any conversation other than what I said yesterday," Robson said.??

And he maintained the same tone when asked about his own future.??

"I repeat - the investigation is ongoing and all of the energies and focus is on the interest and well being of the players," he said.??

Essendon is trying to get on with preparations for Friday night's NAB Cup matches against Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs.
 
After Wednesday's meeting, Coaches Association chief executive Danny Frawley called for calm.
 
"I want to urge caution to the media and to all of our industry - many allegations and rumours are circulating and hurting many innocent, hardworking and committed servants of our game," Frawley said in a statement.  
 
"At this stage, no Essendon player has tested positive and I join with Nathan Buckley and others who have asked for a speedy resolution to any of the processes that are underway."

Matt Thompson is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @MattThompsonAFL