TIMELINE OF A CLUB IN CRISIS

2013

February 5 – Bombers ‘self-report’ to the AFL and launch joint investigation with ASADA into 2012 supplements program.

May 6 – A club-commissioned report by former Telstra chief Ziggy Switkowski labels the Bombers 2012 supplements program a “a pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or challenged or documented”.

Club CEO David Evans was an early casualty. Photo: Getty

May 23 – Essendon CEO Ian Robson resigns.

• Essendon 34 banned for 2016 season
• Matthew Lloyd: ‘I feel sick in the stomach’
• Guilty verdict an absolute disaster for AFL
• ASADA boss blames Essendon players
• Watson could lose Brownlow over decision
• Court of Arbitration releases statement

June 24 – Essendon skipper Jobe Watson tells Fox Footy he believed he was given AOD-9604, and thought it was legal.

July 28 – Essendon chairman David Evans resigns.

August 27 – Essendon banned from 2013 finals, fined $2 million, stripped of draft picks. Coach James Hird suspended for 12 months.

2014

March 20 – Hird departs for France, to attend one of the world’s foremost business colleges during his suspension. His wife Tania gives an an interview to the ABC, saying Andrew Demetriou tipped Essendon off about ASADA’s investigation in to the club.

June 12 – ASADA issues 34 past and present Essendon players show-cause notices. Two days later, Bombers launch Federal Court challenge.

September 19 – Federal Court rules ASADA’s case was lawful.

October 17 – ASADA issues amended show-cause notices to Bombers players.

November 14 – AFL issues infraction notices to Bombers payers for use of banned peptide thymosin beta-4.

John Worsfold’s 2016 campaign is in tatters before it even begins. Photo: Getty

December 15 – ASADA begins to outline its case against Essendon and sports scientist Stephen Dank at AFL anti-doping tribunal.

2015

March 31 – Essendon players found not guilty by AFL anti-doping tribunal.

April 19 – ASADA opts against appealing AFL anti-doping tribunal’s decision.

May 12 – WADA confirms decision to appeal AFL anti-doping tribunal’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

August 18 – James Hird steps down as Essendon coach after a disastrous run of form.

2016

January 12 – The CAS hands down its final decision on the Bombers, ruling it’s comfortably satisfied the 34 players took a banned substance during 2012 and banning them for season 2016.