Essendon expect any AFL action against the club will mean they can speak openly at last about their supplements scandal.
New club chairman Paul Little also stressed before Sunday's game against West Coast that the Bombers would take their time to respond once the AFL announce their findings.
There is growing speculation the AFL will lay charges against the Bombers on Monday or Tuesday over last year's supplements program at the club.
"As we would have all seen, according to the weekend press, charges are expected to be laid against the club and some of our club employees in the next few days," Little said.
"Should this be the case, we will then be in a position to carefully examine the charges, understanding the evidence that the AFL has relied upon to lay the charges.
"And then, after due consideration and deliberation, (we will) determine our response.
"We also note, that should charges be laid, this will mean for the first time we are uninhibited in our ability to set the record straight."
Essendon have been under Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and AFL investigation since August 5.
ASADA handed a 400-page interim report to the AFL on August 2 and the Bombers received their copy soon after.
Essendon could be stripped of premiership points, while there is also speculation that coach James Hird and other senior club personnel face suspension.
Little took over as club chairman following David Evans' shock resignation late last month, a day after he collapsed in the Essendon changerooms.
"I've only been in the role for some 12 days and I must say, it feels more like 12 months," Little said.
Little said Evans' guidance of the club during the supplements crisis had been "outstanding.
Little added the club remains adamant that the players never took banned or performance-enhancing substances during last year's supplements regime at Essendon.
He said the Bombers had put measures in place to ensure the debacle could not happen again.
"As a club, we acknowledge there (were) areas and things we should have and could have done better, particularly with processes relating to governance," Little said.
"A significant work has been done in establishing new operating protocols in many areas - including human resource and employment, recruiting practices, medical procedures and reporting lines and importantly accountability.
"These improved internal practices will ensure that we now have a well-run and tightly-administered football club."
