A stunning split has emerged among the ranks of the 34 former and current Essendon players charged with being administered a banned peptide.

At a directions hearing before the AFL's anti-doping tribunal chairman David Jones, former County court judge John Nixon and barrister Wayne Henwood, a former AFL player, on Tuesday night at AFL House, it emerged lawyers acting for two former Bombers, Stewart Crameri and Brent Prismall, who are now with the Western Bulldogs, were happy for the tribunal hearing to be open to the media - and therefore relayed to the public.

However, lawyers for the remaining 32 players, and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, have argued otherwise, declaring confidentiality is an issue. Potential defamation issues were also raised in terms of having an open hearing.

A hearing date has been tentatively set for December 15.