Bombers ignore drug distraction

Essendon coach James Hird says the ongoing doping saga is not distracting to his players ahead of game against GWS.

Jay Clark and Mick Warner argue over what to do with their defence ahead of Round 6.

Essendon coach James Hird leaves the field. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON coach James Hird says he is confident next week's player interviews with ASADA will not prove a distraction to his unbeaten team.

The investigation into the Bombers' 2012 supplements program will step up a gear next week when players are subject to individual interviews by Australia's anti-doping body.

Players have been given legal training ahead of the interviews, with captain Jobe Watson and the leadership group set to be the first to be grilled.

"I am not sure exactly when the players are speaking to ASADA but these guys have been so fucussed, they have been so committed to their football, they are such a tight group of players, that I would be surprised if that does take their eyes of the ball," Hird said this morning.

Hird said he wasn't frustrated by the delay in releasing an internal review into the club's practices last year.

The review, headed by Ziggy Switkowski, was due to be released this week but has been delayed by a legal issue.

"There's a reason why and the administration and the board will deal with that ... the only thing I can concentrate on is coaching our football team to win games of football and that's where my focus is."

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Asked if he needed to keep his players grounded after their 5-0 start to the season, he said:

"I do not think they need any grounding right at the moment, I think the environment they are in, they just enjoy playing the best football they can."

He said defenders Jake Carlisle (ankle) and Dyson Heppell (groin) could have been picked to play GWS tomorrow but the club opted to play it safe.

"Both were close but just probably haven't done enough work on the track and we want to take a fit team in every time we play.

"We decided they weren't quite ready."

He said both would be available next week along with Michael Hurley and Dustin Fletcher. Patrick Ryder will also be available after serving his three-match suspension.

See all the Round 6 teams here

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