I love your work Dram but I disagree here. I actually think the players have acted smartly in their own best interests throughout. Firstly, get all legals sorted and paid for by the club and the AFLPA. Follow the professional coaching advice during your interviews with ASADA. Go along with the club's and Hird's attempt top get the whole thing buried for eternity as a free swing. Stick to your story that you don't believe you took anything illegal, but if you did, you were duped into it. That way if you are found guilty you can plead mitigating circumstances, cop your whack, and sue the club.
They haven't missed a game (apart from one finals match they would have most likely lost) in the two seasons this has gone on for, or spent a cent on the best legal team you could ask for, or had their identities confirmed. They have had such effective PR waged on their behalf that most people think they are unfortunate victims of the whole saga.
Considering that they are drug cheats by any standards that have previously applied to athletes the world over, they have done very well and will get out of it very well indeed.