A group of Essendon players suspended for an anti-doping breach will meet in Croatia this week to discuss their plans for 2017.

The Bombers remain confident that most of the dozen players currently on their list serving a year-long ban will return, with Cale Hooker, Travis Colyer, Tom Bellchambers, Dyson Heppell​, Heath Hocking and David Myers already pledging their loyalty to the club.

Essendon are hopeful that Michael Hurley will remain with the club. Credit:Patrick Scala

However Jobe Watson, Michael Hurley, Ben Howlett and Michael Hibberd have to yet indicate whether they will return. Brent Stanton has said he is leaning towards to returning. Tayte Pears appears unlikely as he considers life as a firefighter.

Essendon chief exec Xavier Campbell last week tweeted a photograph of Bellchambers, Hurley, Hibberd and Hooker appearing at the running of the bulls in Pamplona.