Essendon will consider an appeal against Friday's comprehensive Federal Court finding in favour of the the joint AFL-ASADA investigation.
Coach James Hird and chairman Paul Little were grim-faced when they fronted the media more than an hour after the decisive ruling against their legal challenge.
"Essendon is understandably very disappointed at today's Federal Court decision," Little said, reading from a statement.
"Obviously it's one that we now need to go away and deliberate, work through the findings and then determine whether or not we will want to go to an appeal.
"In taking our proceedings, our priority has always been to protect and vindicate the legal rights of our players.
"The club maintains its confidence that on all the evidence that we have at our disposal, neither harmful nor banned substances were given to our players during the 2012 season."
Little added they would not comment further until a decision was made.
"As a respect to the competition and the other clubs still competing this season, it is not our intention to provide any further commentary on this matter," he said.
Hird would not comment on his coaching future.
"I'm very disappointed for the players," he said.
"This is about the players and we're very disappointed for our players."
Hird's wife Tania and controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank left the hearing without comment.
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