The Bombers to Seek Legal Advice on Robinson’s Illegal Supplement Allegations (Video)
In an answer to Dean Robinson's allegations on James Hird, the Bombers are now seeking legal advice to defend its name against any claims of illegal supplement used among its members.
In a statement released by Essendon, it strongly denied Mr Robinson's accusations saying that all he said was "outrageous."
"The club acknowledges that Dean Robinson appears to be under an extreme amount of pressure, as are a number of people who are employed at the Essendon Football Club," the statement said.
"However, the series of allegations made by Dean Robinson on Channel Seven tonight are totally without foundation. They are coming from a disgruntled, disaffected and discredited ex-employee. They are outrageous in nature and the club is seeking appropriate legal advice."
In a paid 45-minute interview on the Seven network with AFL commentator and former Western Bulldogs skipper Luke Darcy, Mr Robinson alleged that Hird had asked him to look into a testosterone cream that cannot be traced when used by members.
"I had a phone call while he was overseas, telling me about a doctor he met from New York that had this undetectable substance that you could use as a cream for players. He came back and he told me about it again and said we should investigate, we should go and look at it," Mr Robinson said during the interview.
"He specifically noted a side he really wanted to beat, he wanted to go after Collingwood and he wanted to beat Collingwood - it was whatever it took. He knew stuff that Collingwood were doing. He said to me that he knew they were taking supplements that were allowing them to get an advantage because he knew who was supplying them."
Mr Robinson took aim on Mr Hird even more.
"James Hird is a legend of the game and a legend of Essendon. Whatever James Hird wanted, James Hird got. That was made very clear to me. He had his plans for the club, and everyone was behind him. It was hell or high water, it was coming. This was more than I've ever seen before. I've seen strong cultures, I've seen successful coaches. But it was no expense spared. It was 'whatever it takes'."
Mr Robinson also called for Mr Hird to step down.
"His actions, the way he's handled himself, I have no respect for the guy any more. If he was honourable, he would stand down... James Hird drove everything."
Mr Robinson also revealed that former Essendon Chief Executive Ian Robson was in the loop about the illegal supplements program.
"I told [Robson] about the supplements regime and pushing it to the edge. He said 'I'll put it in my terms. I'm an accountant. At the end of the day, I've got no problem with tax minimization, but I've got a problem with tax avoidance.' Which says to me, push to the edge. They knew what was going on."
"This wasn't closed door, secret meetings, the rest of it. It was open. No one was hiding anything, because we didn't think we were doing anything wrong."
Mr Robinson also hinted that he had become the victim of the issue being the fall guy.
"I was brought in and told, 'You're being stood down pending the outcome of the investigation. Allegations have come to light. What allegations? What have I done? I still don't know. And no one has called me, no one has talked to me, no one has wanted to interview me form the club? Why?"
"To protect. To make a scapegoat. I'm being thrown out by Essendon to protect their favourite son. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out why they'd want to do that, but is it fair? No."