AFL Victoria has received the following statement from the AFL regarding the Essendon Football Club and their VFL team.

The AFL has notified AFL Victoria that Essendon Football Club’s VFL side would not be affected by the sanctions placed on the Club that were announced tonight relating to its supplements program in 2011 and 2012.

The AFL has advised AFL Victoria that the Essendon VFL side would be permitted to play in the VFL Finals.

As a result the VFL Finals Series fixture remains as per the one released at the conclusion of the final round of the home-and-away season.

CLICK HERE to see the Week 1 fixture.