FORMER Bombers now playing in the Northern Territory have forfeited their chance of backdated anti-doping penalties by continuing to play in the NTFL after being hit with infraction notices.

The AFL has given approval for the players to line up with NT clubs, whose season runs from October to March.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, which issued doping notices to 34 players from Essendon’s 2012 list on November 14, was not informed of the decision.

EXCLUSIVE: LITTLE DENIES ATTEMPT TO SACK HIRD

SAGA CONTINUES: MEMBERS COULD DECIDE HIRD’S FATE

It follows the AFL’s contentious decision to allow Bombers pair Jobe Watson and Dustin Fletcher to play in last week’s International Rules clash against Ireland in Perth.

But the former Essendon players lining up in the NTFL have been told their decision to play will cancel out their rights to a provisional suspension.

It means if they are found guilty at the AFL anti-doping tribunal, their suspensions cannot be backdated.

Former and current Essendon players still on AFL lists, including about 20 remaining at the Bombers, have opted to take provisional suspensions. They are permitted to take part in pre-season training but not to play in competitive matches at any level.

DRAFT: RYDER TRADE WILL HELP REBUILD DONS

It is unclear whether Watson and Fletcher’s decision to play against Ireland will add extra days to any suspensions they may incur if found guilty of using the banned peptide Thymosin beta-4.

A tentative date of December 15 has been set for the start of hearings before the AFL anti-doping tribunal into ASADA’s case against the “Essendon 34”.

The Herald Sun understands former Essendon fitness boss Dean Robinson will appear as a witness for the players if he is asked.

PARENTS MEETING: DONS PLAYERS PAWNS IN POLITICAL GAME

Robinson told ASADA in interviews last year he did not believe the players had been administered with Thymosin beta-4.

It is possible former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank may also appear as a witness at the tribunal in the players’ matter, if asked, but he is considered unlikely to attend the tribunal to defend his own anti-doping charges.