ESSENDON will decide on Wednesday night whether to appeal the Federal Court's decision on Friday that found the joint investigation into the Bombers' 2011-12 supplements program was legal.
The decision will be club-based, with the players distancing themselves from any action the club decides to take.
On Monday, Bombers captain Jobe Watson said the Bombers' unsuccessful court case against the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority was "inconsequential" to the players facing possible suspensions.
Essendon's challenge to the legality of ASADA's investigation into the club's 2011-12 supplements program was dismissed in the Federal Court last Friday.
The ruling means the show-cause notices issued to 34 past and present players still stand.
Despite the threat of suspensions hanging over their heads once more, Watson said the court case changed nothing from the players' perspective.
"Obviously it didn't work out they way the club wanted it to. The players were very much separate from that," the 2012 Brownlow medallist said on Monday.
"It was disappointing from the club's perspective, but the players were never really party to that at all, it was totally the club's decision to go ahead with that and unfortunately for them it didn't work out.
"Nothing's changed from the players' perspective. The court case was inconsequential to the players and their situation."
On Monday night at the Brownlow Medal, Essendon chairman Paul Little told AFL.com.au he was yet to speak to the club's captain.
"I haven't spoken to Jobe. Jobe is always entitled to have his view and the players take their own advice and I will probably speak to Jobe tonight," he said.
Meanwhile club presidents met with AFL officials on Monday for their annual Brownlow gathering and while the Essendon situation wasn't specifically discussed, clubs are aware of the damage being done to the AFL's reputation while the saga remains unresolved.
AFL.com.au also understands there is growing dissatisfaction among clubs at the way the Bombers have handled the matter and are closely watching Essendon's response to the Federal Court decision.
Club presidents were largely tight-lipped as they arrived at Crown for the Brownlow Medal on Monday night but Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold said there was a consensus among the competition generally that a resolution was needed.
"I just think the competition itself just wants the thing sorted out," he said.
"Certainly the presidents aren't being specific about appeal or don't appeal, it's more about from the competition point of view. Obviously the preference is to have it sorted.
"It's as simple as that."
Asked if there had been any direct dialogue with his Essendon counterpart Paul Little, Newbold said: "I'm sure the AFL is talking to them, but not from us. We've got big things to worry about this week."
The fall-out from the long-running saga took a new twist recently when Paddy Ryder quit the Bombers two years into aour-year contract.
Several clubs are battling for the important ruckman's signature and the Bombers could lose Ryder for nothing if he claims they seriously breached their duty of care to him throughout the supplements scandal of 2011-12.
Essendon would receive no compensation for losing Ryder under the new rule, which was pushed by the AFLPA and introduced as a result of the club's breaches.
Watson said he hoped Ryder could be convinced to change his mind.
"I haven't been able to sit down and have a chat with him directly, but I'm hoping to do so," Watson said.
"He's made that decision; whether or not it's final or not, I'm not sure.
"It's obviously disappointing any time you lose a quality player like that and someone who's been part of the club for such a long time.
"But hopefully if Paddy's desire is to leave that he can do the best thing for the club and the playing group and try and get someone talented in.
"But obviously we'd love for him to stay."
