DOCUMENTS released by the Federal Court show the breakdown in the relationship between the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL.
The documents, tendered as evidence in the trial involving Essendon, James Hird and ASADA, show the anti-doping watchdog at one point threatened to take the League to court.
A letter lawyer Craig Rawson from the Australian Government Solicitor, sent to AFL Legal Counsel Andrew Dillon on 21 August 2013, shows the two organisations were at loggerheads over who should have access to ASADA's interim report.
"ASADA believes that this is not consistent with the purpose identified in ASADA's letter of 2 August 2013 which provided the interim report to you," the letter reads.
"We are now instructed to require the following undertakings from the AFL by 6.30pm tonight, failing which we are instructed to apply to court without further notice to you to apply for relief in the terms of the undertakings sought."
The 'urgent correspondence' forms just part of hundreds of pages of documents made public, which form evidence in the trial.
Also made public are personal notes taken by former ASADA chief executive Aurora Andruska which detail multiple discussions with key government and AFL officials.
Essendon and James Hird are seeking to have ASADA's investigative work with the AFL declared unlawful and have show-cause notices issued to 34 past and present Bombers players thrown out.
Damien Hardwick says Gold Coast will carefully manage its rising stars through the season
Voss backs key Blues despite injury concerns
Key Carlton duo Jacob Weitering and Zac Williams have been named for Carlton's clash against Geelong despite injury concerns
Squads for Young Guns v Vic Country match announced
Many of Victoria’s top prospects eligible for selection in this year’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft will again be in action this weekend in the second game of the 2024 Young Guns Series
Stream your team: Watch VFL, VFLW, SANFL and WAFL games LIVE and FREE
You can watch every game of the 2024 VFL, VFLW, SANFL and WAFL seasons LIVE on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App