Collingwood AFL midfielder Luke Ball says he was offended by some of the accusations that have been flying around this week about the Magpies.

Essendon chairman Paul Little has hit back at allegations made that Bombers’ coach James Hird had been suspicious about what Collingwood, Hawthorn and West Coast were doing to improve the fitness of their players.

“Contrary to what was claimed, James Hird and Essendon have never held the view that Collingwood, West Coast or Hawthorn have been involved with illegal or prohibited supplements,” Little said on Thursday.

“The suggestion James Hird has or had knowledge of the supply of such substances to Collingwood is both damaging and incorrect.”

Little blasted Channel Seven’s interview with Essendon’s former fitness coach Dean Robinson as an unfounded personal attack on Hird.

Ball was keen on Thursday to defend his club Collingwood.

“My first reaction last night (Wednesday night) when I heard that was to take offence, to take exception,” Ball told the Nine Network’s “The Footy Show” on Thursday night.

“Essendon have released that statement that was shown before, Collingwood have released a statement today. As far as the players are concerned, that’s all there is to it.”