Bombers cop flak from AFL

Banned Essendon coach James Hird on Wednesday accepted some responsibility for a record fine slapped on the team and said it was now time to move on for the good of the game.

The top Australian Football League side was on Tuesday hit with the biggest fine in the sport's history A$2 million ($1.8 million) - and Hird was suspended for 12 months for bringing the game into disrepute.

The punishment arose from a drug supplements scandal that has overshadowed the season. As well as the hefty penalty, the Melbourne-based Bombers were kicked out of this year's finals series.