Former Essendon icon Kevin Sheedy has welcomed the AFL and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority’s joint investigation into his old club, saying he expects it will lead to tighter sports science oversight in the league.

Sheedy, who coached the Bombers to four premierships in his 27 years at the helm, said it was wrong to point fingers at Windy Hill until ASADA’s investigation wraps up.

But the 65-year-old GWS Giants head coach says the AFL should embrace the opportunity to crack down on the issue of sports science.

“I think most sports go too far with recovery, especially endurance sports like AFL,” Sheedy said on Wednesday.

“I think what comes out of this will be really, really strict guidelines and I think that’ll be important.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the AFL looks at every person that is appointed in a club, because a football club is a branch of the AFL.

“I think everyone will have to be ticked off with character references, and their sports science history.”

The growing influence of sports scientists in the AFL has been a bugbear of league chief Andrew Demetriou for some time.

Sheedy declared that once the investigation into Essendon’s use of potentially illegal supplements was finalised, “any person who is found guilty, get them out of the game”.

“It’s important we look after the integrity of both the game and the club, so I’m glad the investigation is going to take place.”