FORMER Essendon forward Scott Lucas says the Bombers largely believe the investigation into their sports science practices will produce a positive result for them.

Lucas, who retired in 2009, said there was a strong belief from within the Bombers they were "in the clear" in regards to the ASADA investigation.  

"You do speak to people throughout and have different sources … it's silly to say that they're confident they'll be ok, but they do seem to think that they are in the clear, a lot of them," Lucas told SEN on Friday morning.

"At this stage it's too early and the fullness of time will show that to be the case.

"I think over the last week or 10 days it's been slightly more positive rather than the other way."

Lucas said embattled coach James Hird would put the situation out of his mind during Friday night's NAB Cup opener against Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs, but admitted it would have taken a toll in recent weeks.

"I think for the coach once the game starts, game on, and they'll just focus on the coaching side of things," he said.

"I think the distraction is [in] the lead up and the preparation, because clubs place a great deal of emphasis on each training session in the build up to their season.

"They basically count down the sessions and they've got to work with their team to refine what they want to do and take into the season.

"That's where the real distraction has been and their eye has been taken off the ball and they haven't been able to focus entirely on the processes they want to practice.

"I think once the game starts tonight, it will hardly pass his [Hird's] mind."

He also said the players would benefit from the distraction of Friday night.

"It's a far from ideal preparation and I think the opportunity to get out there and run around and play football … it's a great environment to forget about what's going on off field and just go out there and have a kick."

Jennifer Phelan is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow her on Twitter @AFL_JenPhelan.