It is expected to emerge that only a handful of Bombers players refused to be involved it what could ultimately prove to be widespread and systematic use of substances to enhance body growth and ultimately their performances.
It is believed that as few as only four Bombers players refused to be involved in the process and to sign forms waving off responsibility to Essendon as a club.
The alleged use of what has been described as "waivers" and provision of their existence or admissions from Bombers players to signing documents, is expected to be a prime term of reference in an expansive investigation.
Early indications are that those players, who steadfastly declined to participate in suspicious injections and ingestions of substances to assist body building and training performances, are top-end priority Bombers stars.
Essendon announced on Tuesday that an investigation had been launched into alleged illegal use of substances, which Bombers officials were at pains to describe as training “supplements.”
Most damning of most intimidating threat that the Bombers are facing significantly destructive outcome for the practice of potential illegal substance use is that the inquiry is more in the hands of world and national sports anti-doping authorities and not the AFL alone.
Australia’s top sports doping agency ASADA will conduct what is tipped to be an uncompromising investigation with Bombers players facing two year suspensions if found guilty of using any substance on the World Anti-Doping Authority banned lists.
Central to the inquiry will be allegations that Bombers players have engaged in use of peptides, which rapidly accelerate muscle growth.
The substances are injected into athletes and are on WADA banned lists.
The practice of intravenous drip activities to assist and hasten recovery for the Bombers is also tipped to be investigated by doping authorities.
Using intravenous drips is also banned under WADA and ASADA sports practices.
This potentially investigation has potentially explosive outcomes.
It relies essentially on ASADA's expertise despite AFL investigator Brett Clothier adding assistance.
Any findings from the independent doping authorities will be in accordance with the world drug agency punishment categories.
Players face automatic two-year bans if found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs with team and individual honours stripped, which threatens Watson’ Brownlow if he is a guilty participant.
Watson’s season mirrors His Bombers.
He had a remarkable 26 Brownlow votes from his first 13 games last season and added four more from two matches across his last nine outings.
The Bombers slipped from imposing premiership contenders at Round 14 last season when they sat fourth with 10 wins and only three losses in a combined tally of just 11 points.
But a horrific injury toll and a disastrous run home with just three wins in their last 11 engagements and the Bombers plummeted out of finals contention and finished a dismal 11th.