Deadline adds to finals pressure

D-Day is approaching for Essendon. Source: Jake Nowakowski / News Limited

ESSENDON'S D-Day is shaping as August 26, with an AFL Commission meeting scheduled just days before Round 23.

It is believed the AFL has two commission meetings scheduled for this month - Monday, August 12, and the meeting a fortnight later - at which they could consider Essendon's plight.

If Essendon were to be charged with conduct unbecoming, it would likely be given 14 days to offer a defence.

It means Essendon could face that disrepute charge on August 26, just five days before Round 23, the last round before finals.

The Commission schedule can still be altered and potentially pushed back a week if Essendon demands more time to argue its case.

The AFL continues to stress there is no established timeline for action against players and the club, given it has not yet seen the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority report into doping.

But it would be an extraordinary state of affairs to see Essendon arguing before the Commission on the Monday before their weekend final whether they could stay in the competition.

Adelaide was given 14 days from their charges last November to prepare to face claims over salary cap cheating and draft tampering.

They ultimately pleaded guilty at the Commission, but Essendon seems less likely to accept any ruling that would see them turfed out of the finals.

It means clubs like North Melbourne and Carlton will only find out on the eve of finals if they are a chance to play in September despite finishing ninth.

But it would also give Essendon considerable time to launch Supreme Court action that could see it injunct the AFL decision and allow it to play finals.

Sports lawyers believe Essendon would have a hard time getting an injunction, but the installation of hard-line chairman Paul Little increases their chances of fighting.

Essendon's penalties will be separate to any penalties for players that might result from infraction notices.

If players were handed infraction notices, they would be handled at a specially convened AFL tribunal.

The Bombers play Richmond in Round 23.

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