Essendon held a Members Information Meeting at Moonee Valley Racecourse last night where the preferred option for a clash strip was presented to about 200 members. Those at the meeting endorsed the guernsey that will be submitted under AFL rules but the club is still searching for ways to avoid wearing it.

Essendon CEO Peter Jackson made a presentation to members before he and chairman Neil McKissock took questions. 

""This Club has no desire to wear a clash guernsey and has never had any such desire. This is the position of the current board and was the position of the previous board chaired by Graeme McMahon,"" McKissock told members.

""Since 1998 we have steadfastly refused AFL requests to produce a Clash Guernsey – we have made that point both publicly and behind closed doors.

""AFL rules now dictate we submit a clash guernsey and we will have to abide by those rules based on legal advice provided to the club or incur significant sanctions.

""Whether we ever wear such a guernsey remains to be seen but rest assured the board and management of this club will do all it can to avoid such an occurrence. As Peter Jackson has outlined, we have already taken some steps to reduce the likelihood of us ever wearing a clash guernsey.

""Everyone at the club fully understands and shares your frustration on this issue. It is why we have argued the case for almost a decade and why we continue to search for solutions.

""As chairman of the Essendon Football Club, I can assure the board and the management of this great club work will continue to work tirelessly in the best interests of the club and our members and supporters.""