Embattled Essendon Bombers coach James Hird's lawyer, Julian Burnside QC, has lashed out against what they perceive to be the AFL's heavy-handed bullying tactics in its handling of the ongoing investigations of drug use at the club.

"The AFL's bullying tactics seem to be the standard in Australia now ... I think the AFL's conduct has been scandalous," the noted human rights lawyer told reporters on Sunday.

This came a day before the Essendon management and coaching staff trooped to the AFL House for Monday's commission meeting that could decide the fate of the club in the immediate future.

One by one, Essendon team chairman Paul Little, CEO Ray Gunston, coach James Hird, team doctor Bruce Reid and assistant coach Mark Thompson were seen entering the AFL headquarters on Monday afternoon. All of them declined to comment on either the scandal or the commission meeting.

Meanwhile, in the absence of any concrete news coming out of the building, social media denizens, both for and against Essendon, have resorted to commenting on possible sanctions for the club.

#Essendon #AFL Need an insurance fund for the Essendon players like James Hardie had to, and player managers sign off on any future drugs

— David (@UberSartre) August 26, 2013

If Essendon lose their points, does that mean the teams that lost to them this year get an extra four points? #afl — David Mark (@davymark1) August 26, 2013

Others had a more humorous take on the action -- or the lack of it.

BREAKING: Punishments being handed out at #AFL House to cars parked illegally while awaiting #Essendon verdict. #theimportantstuff

— Liam Quinn (@Quinn_LP) August 26, 2013

Amidst the controversy, the official Essendon Twitter account continued to add to its followers, adding its 50,000th on Monday afternoon.

And that'll do it! We've hit 50k @twitter followers. We appreciate every single one of you! #DonsAt50k pic.twitter.com/ph5XNtWOnw — Essendon FC (@Essendon_FC) August 26, 2013