COLLINGWOOD veteran Nick Maxwell says he feels sympathetic towards Essendon's players, but hopes this season isn't "hijacked" by the Bombers' fight to clear their names.

The Australian Sports Ant-Doping Authority dropped a bombshell on Thursday by issuing show-cause notices to Essendon players for their 2012 supplements regime under suspended coach James Hird.

Thirty-four current and former players have reportedly been slapped with the notices.

They have 10 days to respond to allegations of using prohibited substances, although the matter seems likely to be headed to the courts.

Speaking before Collingwood training on Friday morning, Maxwell it was up to the entire AFL industry as to how much of a distraction the issue became.

"It will be as much as everyone wants it to be really," Maxwell said on Friday.

"This is going to be ongoing for a long time and you really feel for the players.

"The position that they're going to be in, it's going to be hard to keep backing up and going to training because it's going to be so draining.

"I feel for them and it (the season) probably is going to be hijacked a little bit.

"I think as an industry we need to make sure that we're not focused on this every day."

The 2010 premiership captain marveled at how Essendon skipper Jobe Watson and the Bombers' leaders had stayed focused throughout the 16-month saga.

"No one to my knowledge has been through anything like this in our industry, so it's going to be tough for the senior players to help the younger players and help them through it all," Maxwell said.

"I think their leaders have done a great job and Jobe's done a magnificent job over the last couple of years to keep that group going.

"I really feel for them."

Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones was similarly sympathetic.

"I don't think any player envies them, there's a lot of compassion amongst the entire playing group across the AFL for the Essendon players.

"Hopefully they can come to a resolution pretty soon and we can all move on from it."

Jones said the way that the Bombers playing group had stuck together had earned his respect.

"One thing I've really admired from the outset is how strong they've been and how united they've been as a footy club,” he said.

Collingwood has had its own off-field issue this week after Dane Swan was photographed at a function with underworld figure Mick Gatto.

But Maxwell said the Pies' leaders have no problems with the Brownlow medallist.

"We've got no concerns with 'Swanny', Gary Pert answered those questions. He went to an event – he was paid to go to the event – and he wasn't aware of everyone that was going to be in the crowd," Maxwell said.

"I do events all the time – a lot of players do them – as I said we can't be knowing who is going to be at every single one. 

"You just go there, you're booked, you go and do your job and you leave."

Meanwhile, Maxwell will be missing from action again when the Pies take on the under pressure Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The key defender injured his calf against St Kilda two weeks ago but he hopes to be fit to play Hawthorn next Saturday.

"I’m still hoping to play next week. If not, then definitely the week after," he said.