The decision handed down today by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the Essendon Football Club case has wider implications than just the AFL club alone.
The 34 players found guilty and given a 12 month suspension from football includes 12 current Essendon listed players and 22 former players.
Two of those players, Ariel Steinberg (Williamstown) and Brent Prismall (Footscray), are on the playing lists of two local VFL clubs, while Stewart Crameri is on the Western Bulldogs AFL list.
In a statement, Williamstown chief executive officer Jason Reddick said the Seagulls would stand by Steinberg.
“Following today’s announcement of the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Williamstown Football Club can confirm that our new recruit Ariel Steinberg is one of the 34 past and present Essendon players that has been suspended from football for the 2016 season,” he said.
“Ariel has been training with our first and second year players since November last year and has proven himself to be a quality person of great character.
“These personal attributes were a major factor in our club’s decision to recruit Arial.
“Our immediate priority is the health and wellbeing of Ariel and we have been in touch with him this morning to confirm our club’s on-going support.
“Ariel is contracted on a two-year deal and we look forward to him having a significant on-field impact for the Seagulls in 2017.
“In terms of other top-up players required by Essendon, we are awaiting notification from the AFL and AFL Victoria as to how this may impact our club in 2016.”
Steinberg, 23, played 10 games with Essendon between 2014-15.
The defender arrived at the Bombers with selection 31 in the 2010 AFL National Draft.
Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs have received a copy of the CAS findings this morning.
The club will study the judgment “insofar as they apply to Stewart Crameri and Brent Prismall”.
Other clubs affected by the decision include Northern Football League club Bundoora.
Midfield Ricky Dyson also among the 34 players to receive bans.
Bulls football manager Darryl Richards said the club would stand by Dyson.
“It is very sad,” Richards said. “He is fitter then he’s ever been and he’s back to the playing weight when he was at Essendon.
“He has been named a senior assistant playing coach and that has sparked him. He could be reduced to a spectator now.”
