A group of up to 15 members of the banned Essendon 34 are considering breaking away from the AFL Players Association, and fighting their personal compensation claims against the Bombers through independent lawyers.

It shapes as the first major split among the former and current Bombers throughout the injection scandal, with some players understood to be shattered they were suspended for a year despite the confidence of others that they would not be found guilty of being administered a banned drug.

A group of between 10 and 15 are weighing up whether to link with renowned sports lawyer Tony Nolan QC – former coach James Hird's initial counsel – and personal injury law barrister Gavin Coldwell, who joined Nolan on Wednesday.

Lawyer Chris Pollard, who has worked with the AFL Coaches Association and represented the Bombers' off-field staff in the initial days of the joint investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-doping Authority and the AFL, is also part of the team put together by player agent Peter Jess.