Harry Ponsford QC spoke slowly and eloquently, largely without notes, occasionally pointing to Evans or explaining a point of law when questioned by the judge. Through him, the Essendon Football Club claimed that:

• Evans, in return for signing the contract that bound him to the AFL Rules, was entitled to be given a verdict at the Appeal Board that was based on the evidence;

• there was no evidence to support the verdict therefore the AFL via the Board had broken their contract with Evans;

• the AFL the Board had to give reasons for its verdict;

• the Board had to comply with the rules of natural justice;

• they had been denied the right of legal representation;

• the appeal was heard on such short notice that Evans had been unable to properly prepare his case; and

• the AFL could not stop a player from appealing a decision of the Appeal Board to the courts.

Evans whispered to the President that he felt like an extra in a television show.

"Yeah," replied the President, "a bloody soap opera."