Essendon's on-field leaders doubt the Swiss appeal will distract the team this AFL season, saying it is now outside the club.
All 34 current and past Bombers players have joined the appeal to the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, the last chance to clear their names of doping charges.
The bans themselves will dramatically affect the Bombers, who have lost 12 players this season including many of their stars.
But that also means the appeal is now an external matter for the team.
Coach John Worsfold strongly supported the decision to take the anti-doping judicial process one step further.
"I have no idea if it's the right move, but they have every right to take that pathway," he said.
"So I respect that and I absolutely wish them all the best.
"That's all going to take place externally.
"I can't speak on behalf of all the playing group here and the teammates of the other guys, but we would all be rapt to see it be successful."
Of the 34 banned players, 12 are still on Essendon's list and five are at other clubs.
But those current players are banned for this season and cannot have any involvement with their teams.
"It's not really affecting the group as a whole," captain Brendon Goddard told SEN.
"Obviously those guys aren't here, so it won't really have an effect.
"I don't think it will have an effect like it has."
Goddard has taken over as captain this season while Jobe Watson serves his suspension.
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