Essendon have failed in an official bid to have a representative observe the AFL anti-doping tribunal hearing.
Essendon's integrity, compliance and legal manager Michael Abrahams made the application on day two of the private hearing.
It comes three days after Bombers chairman Paul Little told members at their annual general meeting that the club was excluded.
"On considering the various submissions and having regard to the ruling of December 8 that the hearing be private, the application on behalf of Essendon to be represented at the proceedings was denied," the AFL said in a statement.
The tribunal will rule on anti-doping infraction notices against 34 current and past Essendon players and sports scientist Stephen Dank.
Also on day two of the hearing, ASADA lawyer Malcolm Holmes QC continued the anti-doping agency's opening submissions.
In a brief statement, the AFL said Holmes submitted "among other things, various text messages, emails and transcripts produced as part of the investigation".
Holmes is expected to continue outlining ASADA's case on Friday.
The hearing will then break for Christmas and resume on January 12.
Little also forecast at Monday's AGM that the hearing would run until late next month.
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