Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says it’s not Essendon versus the rest in the AFL despite the 17 other clubs urging the Bombers to let the AFL Commission decide their fate.

Thursday’s joint statement by presidents of all clubs, other than the Bombers, that it was of paramount importance that the Essendon saga be resolved within the league itself was widely interpreted as leaving the Bombers isolated.

But McGuire told a pre-match function at the MCG on Friday night that it was more about emphasising how crucial it was for the competition that all clubs respect the AFL Commission as the game’s ultimate authority.

“The great thing to come out of that meeting was the solidarity of the clubs and the AFL,” McGuire said.

“Not against Essendon; we need to underline that … all we’re trying to do is make sure the fabric that keeps this competition together remains strong.”

McGuire said the enormous increase in the annual value of the league’s television rights since 1985, when the then-VFL was struggling financially and the commission was formed, underlined the importance of clubs having ceded their power to the central governing body.

“We have to play somebody and it’s important that this competition and what football means in this country is held together,” McGuire said.

“That’s what the meaning of yesterday’s meeting was.

“There was no going after Essendon.

“But what we did do was underline our support for the concept of the AFL Commission, for the people who are in place at the moment and also appealed to the Bombers that, if they can sort this out, to do so within the confines of the AFL and its judiciary.”

McGuire said he was heartened by Essendon president Paul Little stating late on Friday that he believed the saga would not take too much longer to resolve.

“If they can do that within the auspices of the AFL, then that will be the best situation and then let the cards fall as they may,” McGuire said.