JAMES Hird has fervently declared the Bombers are "no drug cheats".
In a passionate defence of his club, Hird used his post-match media conference after Friday’s 56-point loss to Hawthorn to assert his belief the club is innocent.
"There's a belief that our players haven't taken anything illegal at our football club and there has been for a long time," Hird said.
"Our belief is that they (the players) have not been given anything illegal and that we are not drug cheats.
"We are confident that we are not drug cheats."
Findings of the lengthy ASADA investigation are reportedly due out on August 5, and Hird said that day can't come quickly enough.
"As soon as this thing is over the better for everyone," Hird said.
"This is affecting so many people's lives.
"It's got to the point where it's going to affect people's lives permanently and it's just got to finish.
"It just has to finish. It's not fair on so many people."
Hird again staunchly defended Essendon when asked how the team stayed focused on the rest of the season, given they could face harsh punishments if found guilty.
There is speculation Essendon could be stripped of premiership points.
"It's hard to answer that question and I don't want to sound smug or cocky or over-confident or anything," Hird said.
An emotionally-charged Hird revealed the time the club has been under investigation has been mentally and physically draining.
The strain reached fever pitch this week with reports Hird and chairman David Evans had had a falling out, while it was suggested the Bombers coach is also at loggerheads with AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.
After reports insinuated Demetriou may have tipped off Evans the night before the Essendon drugs saga story broke, Demetriou vehemently denied those claims on Thursday, and he was cleared by the Australian Crime Commission of any wrongdoing in leaking sensitive and confidential information.
Evans and Hird did their best to dispel the rift rumours by hugging in a warm embrace pre-game, the chairman using his president's speech to shoot down the innuendo.
"For the record, there is no rift (with James Hird)," Evans said.
"He's a 20-year friend of mine and he'll be a friend for the next 20 years as well."
After Friday night's game, a near-pleading Hird said enough is enough.
"This week's just six months of living through an ordeal that people shouldn't have to live through," Hird said.
"I'm not trying to sound sorry for us, but it's getting to the point where it's affecting people's lives too much.
"That's not what this should be about."
Hird would not go into particulars, turning to his club media staff and asking: "can I keep going or not?"
The media conference was swiftly ended.
Ben Guthrie is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
