AFL players banned for anti-doping offences could begin group training this week.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says some of the past and present Essendon players serving one-year suspensions for their role in the club's 2012 supplements regime are set to get together for their first hit-out as a group.
They include forward Stewart Crameri, who joined the Western Bulldogs after the 2013 season.
Under WADA provisions, the banned players are not allowed contact with their AFL clubs or other organisations that sit within the jurisdiction of the anti-doping code.
That's led to clubs looking to the AFL Players Association to take the lead and coordinate a program for the suspended group.
Beveridge wants to ensure that the 27-year-old Crameri does not drop off during his mandated year out of the game.
"We were just about to try and mobilise a third party to get something for Stewy which we can't really impact on," he said on Tuesday.
"It appears they're going to have a session, their first, later on in the week."
Mick Malthouse put his hand up to lead a specialised program for the banned group, but Beveridge said he didn't believe the West Coast and Collingwood flag-winning coach would be involved.
"He's always a good man to lead but the players are making that choice as I understand it and I think that's driven by the Essendon boys," he said.
"We can't really influence it but Stewy is really keen to get involved in it and they'll be able to train together as a group which is great because you need someone to kick the footy with."
On Tuesday, the AFLPA refused to confirm details around the highly-secretive training sessions.
It's understood that the player union has to balance varied needs of the diverse player group, which has led to a challenging schedule.
The banned players are also in the middle of appealing the Court of Arbitration for Sport finding.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos, who has banned ex-Don Jake Melksham on his list, said he was keen for his affected player to take a break to mid-2016.
But the Bulldogs have a different approach, eager that Crameri's suspension didn't turn into a back-dated holiday from last September to pre-season for the 2017 campaign.
"We've been cognisant of the fact he's already had a lay-off," he said.
"We've been quite anxious around the players association getting something ready for the group.
"It's really the only group that they can train with ... Stewy's keen to maintain his fitness base and get ready for the possibility that he might re-join us."
Crameri is contracted to the Dogs next season, signing a four-year deal before the start of the 2014 campaign.
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