ESSENDON chairman Paul Little has hinted the club is close to accepting penalties from the AFL.

Little on Friday wrote to Bombers members and fans, indicating the club is keen to resolve the supplements scandal swiftly. 

The letter to members comes as speculation mounts that the Bombers are set to accept a series of punishments from the AFL, including the loss of premiership points. 

Little's open letter late on Friday evening, addressed to members and supporters and posted to Essendon's website, said the club hierarchy shared the fans' desire to reach a conclusion "as soon as possible". 

After a dramatic week, in which Essendon and the AFL were at loggerheads over the release of charges against the club, Little was hopeful of a quick resolution. 

"Despite the events of recent days, we believe these matters can be resolved before too long," Little said. 

"At yesterday's meeting of AFL club chairmen and presidents, I stressed we wanted matters resolved … but also that matters need to be concluded in a fair manner with charges and penalties that reflect the club's actual failings and the evidence.

"We have made mistakes in terms of governance and people management, and we apologise for them. 

"We also accept there will be AFL sanctions as a consequence … but the evidence does not extend to drug cheating, and we're working to ensure that the charges and ultimate penalties reflect this."

At the pre-game function ahead of Collingwood's meeting with West Coast on Friday night, Magpies president Eddie McGuire said he was "heartened" by Little's comments.

McGuire denied claims Thursday's meeting saw the 17 rival clubs turn against the Bombers, instead saying there was support for the role of the AFL Commission. 

"There was no 'going after Essendon', but what we did do was underlined our support for the concept of the AFL Commission and the people who are in place at the moment," McGuire said. 

McGuire encouraged the Bombers to settle the issue in the AFL's confines. 

"All the clubs also respected that Essendon has the right to defend themselves to the fullest, but also if they can do that within the auspices of the AFL, then that would be the best situation and then let the cards fall as they may," McGuire said.