At a directions hearing before the AFL's anti-doping tribunal chairman David Jones, former County court judge John Nixon and barrister Wayne Henwood, a former AFL player, on Tuesday night at AFL House, it emerged lawyers acting for two former Bombers, Stewart Crameri and Brent Prismall, who are now with the Western Bulldogs, were happy for the tribunal hearing to be open to the media - and therefore relayed to the public.

However, lawyers for the remaining 32 players, and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority, have argued otherwise, declaring confidentiality is an issue. Potential defamation issues were also raised in terms of having an open hearing.

A hearing date has been tentatively set for December 15.

Lawyers David Harlows and Sam Norton, acting for the Bulldogs players under criminal lawyer Rob Stary, said they understood the strong public interest in the case and, if appropriate constraints were placed on journalists, then they would not oppose a public hearing.

Jones said a decision on media access would not be made until further submissions were assessed this week.

Journalists were only allowed in to hear submissions regarding whether the tribunal hearing should be open, and were then removed from the room when other issues were discussed.

Lawyer Jeff Gleeson QC, acting for the AFL, said there was "profound public interest in this matter" and, as "much of the process" to date had been "plagued by misinformation", the hearing should be open to the media.

Media lawyer Justin Quill said there had been an "enormous amount of speculation, rumour and innuendo" through the 21-month saga and a closed hearing "will only perpetuate the myths and untruths that have occurred".

ASADA lawyer Patrick Knowles, however, said an opening hearing would "trample on the rights given to players under the WADA code" and cited confidentiality issues.

AFLPA lawyer Ben Ihle said as evidence had been given in private through the investigation, the hearing should also be conducted in that manner.

The directions hearing also considered matters relating to Stephen Dank, the architect of the Bombers' 2012 supplements program. Dank, who like the 34 current and former Essendon players has been handed an infraction notice, has been ordered to appear before the tribunal but the AFL cannot compel him to attend.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, Jones said: "The tribunal considered a number of matters and heard submissions from representatives of the various parties and a representative of several media organisations.

"It will give consideration to submissions on whether or not any hearing/s will be held in-camera or be open to media; the tribunal will provide reasons for its decision in due course.

"The tribunal also heard submissions on the proposed conduct of the hearing/s and has encouraged the parties to continue to work together to narrow the scope of potential issues.

"The tribunal will meet again on 8 December 2014 to finalise procedural matters.

"A hearing date has been tentatively set for 15 December 2014."