""It's disappointing, we hoped the AFL would have shown some empathy. The players felt very strongly about this - Adam is a friend and a teammate who is going through a very tough time,"" Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson said.
""We understand the AFL don't want armbands worn every time a team runs out but we think this is an exceptional circumstance and given the emotion associated with this issue some flexibility should have been shown.""
AFL Football Operations General Manager Adrian Anderson said the AFL wholeheartedly supported Adam Ramanauskas in his battle with cancer and also supported the need to promote greater awareness of cancer.
""We understand the club’s support for people battling cancer and we absolutely support that cause as we do many community causes,"" he said.
""The AFL has thrown its support behind numerous community issues – including the Field of Women to promote awareness of breast cancer - and is always happy to work collaboratively with clubs to raise awareness, support and funds for their community causes.""
But the AFL believes the use of different coloured armbands is inappropriate because of the frequency of requests from clubs and community organisations for players to wear different colours.
