EXCLUSIVE

Essendon will spurn the opportunity to appeal the verdict in the Federal Court case that found in favour of ASADA and allowed it to proceed with show cause notices for 34 current and former players.

James Hird arrives at the Federal Court last month. Credit:Justin McManus

The club's imminent decision not to appeal Justice John Middleton's verdict - which dismissed the applications by both Essendon and coach James Hird on September 19 - is despite receiving legal advice that it would win an appeal. Hird has opted not to follow Essendon's lead and will instead launch his own appeal.

Fairfax Media reported straight after the initial verdict that Hird was expected to appeal - which his legal team also argued that it would win. The club's stance, however, was about far more than the pure legal position. It has been made plain to Essendon that the AFL did not want it to appeal the verdict, in which Essendon not only lost but had costs awarded against it.