A proposed deal between the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and Essendon whereby Bombers players would escape doping sanctions with zero penalty, while Cronulla players would be given a minimum six-month ban, was aborted after protests from lawyers acting for ASADA and Cronulla.

The very same day that Australian Rugby League Commission chief executive Dave Smith learnt of a proposed preferential deal to the AFL club, he raised it with Prime Minister Julia Gillard at a pre-arranged meeting in Sydney.

While Smith is now confident any discriminatory deals are off the table, the AFL can be expected to be frustrated that 45 players from one of its most prominent clubs may be suspended for the season.

Rumours of a secret deal have circulated since March 4 after a meeting in Sydney with representatives of the Sharks, ASADA and the NRL. Lawyers acting for Cronulla at the meeting raised the question whether Essendon players had been offered a lesser sanction.

ASADA counsel, John Marshall, SC, denied such a deal would be possible but the following day provided advice to Cronulla's legal team, led by Trish Kavanagh, that this was not the case.