McLachlan feels for players, confirms Watson’s Brownlow under review

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and chairman Mike Fitzpatrick addressed the media following the Court of Arbitration for Sport's guilty ruling on the 34 past and present Essendon players.

The pair stressed the importance of keeping the sport clean, while McLachlan confirmed that Jobe Watson's 2012 Brownlow Medal will come under review.

"The AFL accepts the decision of the CAS. We are disappointed for the players,"Fitzpatrick stated.

"The doping program at Essendon in 2012 was a stain on the game.

"It struck at the very heart of our game, the integrity of the competition, health and safety of the players

"This has been a very dark period but the last four years won't define the Essendon Football Club or AFL football."

"The AFL will be committed to clean sport, safety of all our players across all clubs," McLachlan added.

McLachlan said that the Bombers will be allowed to sign up to 10 replacement players in season 2016.

They will also be allowed to upgrade all five of their rookie contracted players to the senior list.

“The AFL has consulted with the Essendon Football Club and the AFLPA and our decisions are as follows: Essendon may upgrade all of its five rookie-listed players to the senior list as a one-for-one replacement, as though the suspended players they are replacing had long-term injuries,” McLachlan said.

“Essendon will be granted the ability to sign up to 10 extra players to its list by powers granted by the Commission.

“In summary, it is the AFL’s view that Essendon must be able to field a competitive team ... The AFL has already acted against the Essendon Football Club with the penalties handed down in 2013 and there will be no further action against the Essendon Football Club by the AFL on this matter.”

The four other clubs affected will also be allowed to upgrade a rookie listed player as a replacement due to the findings.

Mclachlan said that in light of the verdict, the 2012 Brownlow medal will be reviewed.

“The Commission determined that the awarding of this Medal needs to be reviewed in light of today’s decision,” McLachlan said.

“It is the AFL’s view that due process must apply in this matter. Therefore, it was determined that the full commission must hear this issue and there will be a February meeting to provide the appropriate level of time for parties to be prepared.

“Jobe Watson will be invited to address the Commission as will potentially other relevant parties.”

The CEO also stressed that he felt for the players, who had been badly let down by the poor governance at Essendon in 2012.

"It is our view that they have been horribly let down by the administration at the time," McLachlan said.