AFL players issued show-cause notices from ASADA's investigation would be supported by their union to take legal action against Essendon if they are rubbed out of the sport.
On Wednesday, AFL Players Association (AFLPA) acting chief executive Ian Prendergast added the voice of the 34 players into an increasingly high-stakes battle.
With Essendon and James Hird taking their fight to the Federal Court, arguing the long-running investigation is illegal, Prendergast has asked ASADA to delay any further action until the court battle has played out.
In the murky environment created by the 17-month investigation, he is also demanding players receive the evidence briefs so that they can respond properly to their notices.
"Common sense would suggest you need to know the case that you're being asked to meet," Prendergast told Melbourne radio station SEN.
He foreshadowed legal action on behalf of the players if ASADA didn't comply.
"ASADA as a model litigant has a duty to provide players with the evidence ... if (ASADA) refuses to provide this information voluntarily, then the players will be forced to take legal action," he said.
Prendergast added that ASADA's chief executive Ben McDevitt had not complied with their request for their evidence briefs so far, with the organisation issuing a short statement.
"ASADA is always willing to consider any reasonable request by an athlete for an extension of time to lodge their submission to a show cause notice," it read.
"While this matter is before the court it would be inappropriate for ASADA to comment on matters related to discussions, or possible discussions, between ASADA and other parties."
Prendergast was not willing to discuss the potential of players to cut plea deals that could see any doping ban reduced to a matter of months, saying players did not believe they were guilty.
"There is nothing to suggest they should (receive penalties) given we haven't seen the evidence and players are of the view they haven't been administered the banned substance."
But he was willing to hedge his bets, arguing if penalties did arise he would be backing the players to launch action against Essendon or key individuals.
Prendergast said the club's environment in 2012 was "completely unacceptable" but added there was "plenty of water to go under the bridge" before action against Essendon might arise.
"That's certainly an option that will be available to players down the track, it's not our focus at the moment," he said.
"We'd support it, particularly the situation the players have been put in by the club."
With rumours of back-room deals being cut between the AFL, ASADA and Essendon circling, McDevitt has spruiked the possibility of leniency for cooperative players.
Aware of the need to cooperate, Prendergast also sought to distance the players from the Essendon injunction.
"Ben McDevitt has publicly urged players to come forward and cooperate with ASADA ... (he) seems to be suggesting players have not fully cooperated with ASADA," he said.
"Nothing could be further from the truth."
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