Former Essendon fitness chief Dean Robinson has settled out of court with the AFL club.

The man nicknamed “The Weapon” has ended his potentially explosive wrongful dismissal claim for about $1 million.

It means one chapter of the complex Essendon supplements scandal is over.

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News of Essendon’s settlement with Robinson came on the same day that coach James Hird launched his Federal Court appeal.

Essendon have accepted Justice John Middleton’s verdict on September 19, but Hird will continue his legal action and club and coach are now at odds.

The Bombers board will most likely decide to sack Hird next Monday.

Robinson had also launched court action against the club after he was stood down on February 5 last year.

That was the same day the Essendon supplements scandal became public, with the Bombers holding a media conference to announce they had self-reported to the AFL and ASADA.

Robinson’s trial date was set for November 10 and he initially sought $2m in damages from the club.

He claimed Essendon made him a scapegoat in the fallout from the 2012 supplements program.

Robinson issued a number of subpoenas ahead of the November trial, with key figures such as current AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and his predecessor Andrew Demetriou set to be called as witnesses.

Robinson worked at Geelong and Gold Coast before joining Essendon in late 2011 to head their revamped fitness program.

Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank was also recruited to oversee the Bombers’ supplements program, which is the subject of ongoing ASADA action.

-AAP