The breach of contract dispute between Essendon and its former high-performance manager will play out in court in late 2014, as the fallout from the supplements scandal stretches on.
Dean Robinson is suing the AFL club claiming it breached its terms of employment with him after he was suspended from his role in February.
Essendon suspended Robinson, nicknamed the Weapon, just days after revelations that its players may have been taking illegal supplements.
He eventually resigned in July and claims the club did not offer him procedural fairness from the time it stood him down until his departure.
Essendon lawyer Paul O'Grady told a directions hearing in the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday that Mr Robinson was likely to call a substantial amount of evidence from third parties under subpoena.
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He said the club would need time to examine the material before deciding who to call to give evidence on its behalf.
Both Essendon and Mr Robinson will have to submit their material in March before returning to court for a directions hearing in June 2014.
Mr Robinson is seeking $1.2 million in lost income, as well as damages and court costs.
Both the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and the AFL investigated Essendon over the possible use of performance-enhancing substances at the club under Robinson's watch.
The AFL banned Essendon from the finals and suspended its coach James Hird for 12 months while ASADA's investigation continues.
