ESSENDON'S former high performance manager Dean Robinson will press on with his million-dollar breach of contract case against the club.
Robinson, a key figure in the Essendon supplements scandal, says the club breached its terms of employment with him when he was suspended from his role in February 2013, days after revelations players may have been taking illegal performance-enhancing supplements.
He resigned in July and claims the club didn't offer him procedural fairness from the time it stood him down until his departure.
His lawyer, David Galbally, said on Tuesday his client had breached court-ordered deadlines in the case because of significant financial and emotional pressure, but was now ready to proceed.
He said the club stood Robinson down with pay, on agreement that he not speak about the supplements issue, before denigrating him and forcing him to resign.
"He has suffered significant depression, he has four children under four, his wife has depression and post-natal depression and has been in and out of hospital," Galbally told the Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Robinson had co-operated with the Australian Sport Anti-Doping Agency investigation into the supplements issue and incurred legal costs.
Paul O'Grady, representing Essendon, said the case had gone nowhere in six months and Robinson had missed many appointments to view its documents in the case.
Galbally said it was in Robinson's best interests to move forward.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Melissa Daly agreed, but warned Robinson would face penalties for any further delays and awarded costs for the hearing against him.
He is seeking $1.2 million in lost income, as well as damages and court costs.
Both ASADA and the AFL have investigated Essendon over the supplements scandal.
On Friday, ASADA issued show-cause notices to 34 past and present Essendon players.
Among other penalties, the AFL banned Essendon from last season's finals and suspended coach James Hird for 12 months.
Robinson's case is set for a further directions hearing on September 9.
