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What's a show-cause notice?
In terms of the Essendon investigation, it means a suspected doping cheat must explain in writing why they should not be punished.
The 34 Essendon players from the 2012 season have 10 days to lodge a submission, and this is likely to be done with help from an army of lawyers.
This information, along with the evidence collected by ASADA, will be put to the independent Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel for consideration.
When an investigation reaches the show cause stage, it generally means the prosecutors believe they have a hole-proof case and it is rare that bans are not handed down.
What are the players accused of taking?
ASADA accuse the Bombers of using peptide Thymosin Beta 4 during 2012. It's a drug that promotes muscle growth and reduces appetite.
How will Essendon respond?
There is unconfirmed speculation the Bombers will ignore the show cause notices and instead challenge the legality of ASADA's investigation in the Federal Court.
Essendon chairman Paul Little has always held firm the players are not cheats and believes the "evidence" collected by the investigators does not prove the players took banned drugs.
What's the worst case scenario?
If all 34 players are suspended, it could lead to the whole club being suspended for either one or two seasons.
The AFL says it has contingency plans in place should that happen.
How long will it drag on for?
The footy public has well and truly had a gutful of this investigation.
But as with all major court cases, it could take years to resolve.
Why has it taken so long?
New ASADA chief Ben McDevitt says his authority has taken 16 months to decide whether to issue show cause notices because it needed to gather countless pieces of evidence to shore up its case.
A former Federal Police boss and counter-terrorism manager, McDevitt appears to be moving faster than predecessor Aurora Andruska.
But McDevitt still stresses that certainty is more important than speed.
How will it affect the Bombers team this weekend?
Essendon players have performed valiantly on the field throughout the entire saga.
Granted, the investigation has stepped up another gear. But the Dons have had plenty of practice at playing matches in the midst of a crisis.
What about Jobe Watson's Brownlow Medal?
Presuming Watson is one of the 34 accused, the skipper could well be stripped of his 2012 Brownlow Medal.
In the case that he is guilty, the AFL Commission will reportedly oppose revoking the medal, but the decision could be taken out of its hands.
Will Cronulla Sharks also be issued with show cause notices?
ASADA is also ready to issue notices to 17 members of NRL club Cronulla's 2011 squad but ASADA has provided no information on that investigation.