The AFLPA will push for long-term health monitoring for Essendon players

THE AFL Players Association will push for long-term health monitoring for Essendon players involved in the club's perilous sports supplements program.

THE AFL Players Association will push for long-term health monitoring for Essendon players involved in the club's perilous sports supplements program.

AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said the welfare of the players remained of paramount importance, admitting that the workplace failings of the Essendon Football Club could see some of them be allowed to walk away from the club.

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"It is something we have been working through and we will take advice on for some time now," Finnis said on 3AW of the planned long-term health checks.

"We think that is absolutely necessary to do and it will need to be done in conjunction with the club and the AFL."

The AFLPA remains furious with the Bombers following the release of the AFL charge sheet, which documented a process that saw players be given substances without prescriptions, a culture of injections introduced and the possibility that they may have received performance-enhancing drugs.

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Finnis said claims that some of the substances might have long-term health effects were alarming, but also counter-productive to the mental state of the players.

"It is obviously a really shocking claim," he said. "We have got to be calm and we have got to be methodical about this.

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"The players will need to have the best advice they can receive. There will need to be monitoring; there will need to be procedures put in place around that, and that is work that the association has been doing, and will continue to do."

Finnis said the AFLPA had met with authorities to discuss whether Essendon had failed in its work cover obligations to the players.

"That is certainly something we have considered," he said. "We have had some dialogue with the regulatory authorities, clearly there is evidence here which would suggest a breach of OC (occupational) health and safety laws.

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"They need to be considered, and that's not just to ensure that things are OK now at Essendon, but to also send a strong message to all workplaces that we are not going to pick and choose when employees' health and safety will be protected."

Asked if players could walk away from the club if they wished, Finnis said: "It is certainly a possibility."

"It must have been months ago when we met with player managers and that issue as canvassed. Like any employee, you have a right to terminate your contract if obligations to you are breached.

"Personally, my view is that it is too early to be speculating about contractual issue - our focus is far more on the health of the players."