A PROMINENT Essendon coterie group has backed the club in its time of crisis, and urged the Bombers to stop "finger pointing" and move on.

 

But the chairman of the Essendonians, Dr Peter Hughes, said the influential Bombers supporters may be reluctant to contribute to the club's $2 million fine.

 

Hughes said he had already approached the club to offer the Essendonians' support, despite disappointment of the club's turbulent season.

 

"We're very sad that this situation has arisen. We very much feel for the players and for the toll it's taken on other human resources within the club, most notably probably James [Hird]," Hughes told AFL.com.au.

 

"We don't feel that he or his coaching staff deliberately set out to harm players or to do anything untoward.

 

"But notwithstanding that, there's obviously been some governance and protocol shortfalls, which I think the club's recognised.

 

"We think now it's probably time to stop the finger pointing, I think accountability has been accepted, and we've got to move forward as a club and we've got to rebuild our brand and our image.

 

"The Essendonians will continue to support the club in whatever capacity it deems appropriate. I've made that position clear to [chairman] Paul Little, I've made that position clear to the executive including [interim chief executive] Ray Gunston that we're here to support."

 

Penalties against the club for bringing the game into disrepute were announced on Tuesday, with the Bombers kicked out of the finals, stripped of draft picks and handed the biggest financial penalty in the game's history.

 

But after contributing a cheque for $1.15 million at the start of this year for the club's new high performance centre at Melbourne Airport, Hughes said he was unsure if the Essendonians would again dip into their pockets.

 

"To now have to contemplate raising a significant level of additional capital to pay down fines and to support the operations of the football club on top of that, is going to be significant ask for a number of our members," he said.

 

"I don't know what their reaction is going to be, to be perfectly honest.

 

"I think initially there will be reluctance. But I think ultimately people's passion for the football club will come to the fore and there'll be support. To what extent, I don't know."

 

The Essendonians will hold a home game function on Saturday night with 250 members ahead of the Bombers' clash with Richmond.

 

"It's a fair indication people haven't walked away," Hughes said.