Whitfield, Graeme Allan and Craig Lambert are all facing lengthy suspensions as it emerges that ASADA has formed the view that the trio breached the game's anti-doping code and should be charged under that code, which draws a maximum four-year penalty.

The three look certain to receive infraction notices as a result of allegations that Allan and Lambert in 2015 hid Whitfield at Lambert's house for three days fearing the player could test positive to performance enhancing drugs after going on a bender with friends on the Mornington Peninsula.

The damaging evidence could hold the key to the futures of the trio with the case now certain to drag on until December as the AFL and ASADA continue highly sensitive negotiations over the potential outcome. Both parties are understood to have received legal advice that the breach contravened anti-doping rules which means the three face a tougher penalty than had they been charged with breaching AFL code of conduct rules. The AFL remains determined that any outcome will be reached with ASADA's approval.

Allan has continued to deny to his new employer Collingwood that he breached the anti-doping code. This is despite the text message evidence in which Whitfield - allegedly anxious that the illicit drugs he had taken could have been laced with performance enhancing drugs - tells Nowland that Allan had overseen his temporary move to the Lambert home to avoid drug testers.

Allan and Lambert have backed Whitfield's claim that he concocted the entire drug fear story as a ruse to end a difficult relationship. They have also backed his claim that he was, in fact, suffering a migraine. Allan, who like Lambert received an official warning from the Giants for his conduct, has enlisted the highly-paid services of senior litigation and dispute resolution lawyer Leon Zwier.

Whitfield's former partner Nowland had contacted the club fearing for Whitfield's welfare. She emailed player welfare official Brett Hand expressing concern about Whitfield's behaviour, possible drug use and hiding from drug testers. As reported last month by Fairfax Media, Allan instructed Hand to delete the email and told Hand that Nowland was erratic and difficult and that he had taken care of the issue.

It is also understood that Allan and Lambert have deleted text messages from the time of the incident in May 2015 which also saw Whitfield miss the round-seven clash against Carlton.

Fairfax Media understands that ASADA's view is that there have been clear breaches of the game's anti-doping policy and that charges under that code should follow. While the AFL does not believe the incident warrants a four-year suspension for Whitfield, a former No. 1 draft pick, nor Allan and Lambert, Gillon McLachlan and his team remain highly tuned to the views of the national anti-doping authority.

This follows the Essendon drugs scandal and the move by the World Anti-Doping Agency to appeal against the AFL's Anti-Doping Tribunal's decision which ultimately saw 34 current and former Bombers suspended for the 2016 season.

Zwier appeared for the Melbourne Football Club during the tanking affair. His high profile clients have included James Hardie Industries, Melbourne Storm and Nine Entertainment. A partner with Arnold Bloch Leibler and referred to in the legal fraternity as'Mr Fixit', Zwier also assisted One.Tel settle the proceedings brought against Lachlan Murdoch and James Packer.