Essendon will be sweating on the verdicts of the AFL’s anti-doping tribunal until March 31, just four days before the Bombers start their season.
The AFL confirmed on Friday that tribunal chairman David Jones had set the date for the release of the decisions relating to the Bombers’ controversial injection program in 2012.
Some 34 players were charged with taking banned peptide Thymosin Beta 4.
Any appeal will ensure the long-running saga affects another season.
Essendon’s 2015 pre-season has already been impacted, with the club signing a handful of top-up players to cover the absence of some stars.
Most of the players that were on the Bombers’ books in 2012 have been sitting out the pre-season games.
Essendon coach James Hird last week suggested he was upbeat the panel would rule in his club’s favour.
“We’re not thinking they (top-up players) will be required in the regular season because we’re very confident with the way the tribunal will go with our players,” Hird said.
“We’re concentrating on the fact we’ll have our best team out there in round one against Sydney and that’s our plan.”
The 2015 season starts with an MCG clash between Carlton and Richmond on April 2, while Essendon’s opening-round match is against Sydney at ANZ Stadium on April 4.