Essendon coach James Hird might have cancelled his press conference on Friday, but assistant coach Simon Goodwin made it clear: Hird will stay on as coach, at least for now.

These remarks came in the middle of reports that the AFL and its member clubs met on Thursday to discuss the status of the Essendon substance scandal. The AFL released on Wednesday a document listing the reasons for bringing charges against the club, which also includes Hird, football manager Danny Corcoran, club Doctor Bruce Reid, and assistant coach Mark Thompson in the list of defendants.

The Advertiser reported on Friday that the AFL and the Essendon Football Club were in talks to end their dispute. The proposed settlement will force Hird to resign from his post and strip the seventh-ranked club of its 2013 Premiership points, denying them of a spot in the finals. However, the Bombers will still retain their draft picks, and Hird will will be free to continue the legal action he started against the AFL and to defend himself in all charges.

Hird filed documents with the Supreme Court on Thursday, seeking to have a committee independent of the AFL Commission hear the charges brought against him. He also sought to have the league provide a more detailed list of charges, as well as a roster of witnesses who will testify.

However, AFL member clubs are not impressed with Hird's action.

"In our view, it is of paramount importance that every effort be made to resolve these matters within the AFL industry," Western Bulldogs chairman Peter Gordon said through a statement, prepared in behalf of the clubs. He added that the clubs had confidence in the AFL and its management.

This flew in the face of Essendon chairman Paul Little, who said on Wednesday that the AFL community was firmly behind his club.
In the meantime, Hird expressed concern over an emotional TV interview with a player's mother, identified only as "Sarah".
""It was very concerning," Hird told the Brisbane Times as he was leaving Windy Hill, having snubbed his own press conference. "I think the welfare of our players is something that we all hold in high regard and are very concerned about, so it was very concerning to hear it."

Hird had earlier led his team in a light training session. Speculation was spreading that Hird would announce his resignation in the weekly media availability, but Goodwin debunked the rumors, saying that Hird was just "a bit tied up at the moment."
"As far as I know, he's definitely going to be senior coach (on Saturday night), yeah," clarified Goodwin.