The judge’s assistant announced the case: "Essendon Football Club Limited and Shawn Evans versus the Australian Football League and others."

Her Honour Justice Rhonda Wilson had been a Queen’s Counsel before she became a Supreme Court judge – or as lawyers say, "ascended to the Bench". She had been a little bemused to find herself in charge of this case, given her complete indifference to the game of football.

"Yes, Mr. Ponsford," she said, nodding to the Essendon QC.

This was the signal for Ponsford to begin his case. Since the Essendon Football Club and Evans were the "plaintiffs", the ones that had brought the case against the AFL, they had to go first.

Ponsford stood. "Your Honour, this is a case that deserves the closest attention of this honourable court…"