Keen to avoid further delays, the 34 players chose not to fight the show-cause notices and have also opted not to appeal against their placement on the register of findings, which will trigger infraction notices - the equivalent of an (unproven) charge - and then a hearing. The players have the option of taking a "provisional suspension" if they wish - which would mean they serve some of the suspension before the case has been concluded and thus reduce the time out in the event they are found guilty. They would still be allowed to train. Saad opted for a provisional suspension. It is also open for ASADA to offer backdated suspensions, as it did for Cronulla players, who subsequently received short suspensions this year. To date, the players have not been willing to take plea bargains.

It is understood that the ADRVP placed the players on the register of findings some days ago. As Fairfax Media revealed, ASADA informed the players - via their legal team - of the situation on Thursday. This next step towards infractions was widely anticipated once the players made the decision not to contest show-cause notices.

The AFL confirmed late Thursday that it also had been notified by ASADA that the players had been placed on the register of findings by the doping panel.. "AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon will now consider each matter before determining whether to issue infraction notices to the players concerned and to convene hearings of the AFL anti-doping tribunal," the AFL said. "Pursuant to the AFL Anti-Doping Code, the AFL cannot make further comment at this time."



Despite concerns about a delay, James Hird's appeal to the Federal Court does not seem likely to postpone the hearings further, since the players have already been placed on the register of findings. Hird is seeking to have Justice Middleton's verdict overturned and have the ASADA investigation rendered unlawful. The Hird appeal has been heard and is awaiting judgement, which may or may not be delivered until after the doping tribunal hearings have started. ASADA said in a statement: "As the ADRVP operates independently of ASADA, it would be inappropriate for us to comment on matters related to the ADRVP and this includes the timing of their consideration of matters.

"Consistent with the publicly stated wish of the players to have their matters dealt with as quickly as possible, ASADA has progressed these cases through the anti-doping rule violation process in accordance with those wishes. As these matters remain ongoing we are unable to elaborate further." AFL Players' Association CEO Paul Marsh said: "The determination from the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel was an anticipated outcome and we are pleased that we are a step closer to having this matter finalised.



"We now await the AFL's decision as to whether or not they'll issue infraction notices. We hope this decision is made quickly so the process can keep moving."

THE PROCESS EXPLAINED Register of findings The Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel - a separate statutory panel to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority - puts players on the register of findings once it has deemed there is sufficient evidence of an offence.

Appeals Once on the register of findings, a player can appeal to the administrative appeal tribunal. If the decision does not go the player's way, he can appeal to the Federal Court. Infraction notice If a player on the register of findings does not challenge or the challenge fails, ASADA will notify the AFL an infraction notice should be issued. At this stage, ASADA can recommend the types of sanctions that are applicable. The AFL, as per its agreement with ASADA, is obligated to issue an infraction notice. The players can choose to accept the maximum penalty for the offence (in this case two years) or request a hearing before an AFL anti-doping tribunal. Provisional suspension