Thousands of Essendon fans marched to the MCG ahead of the team’s match against Melbourne to show their support for the club and the 34 players suspended for using banned supplements.

Supporters gathered at Federation Square before walking along the Yarra River to the ground on Saturday afternoon.

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The club also encouraged fans to “make a stand and use the hashtag #DonTheSash on social media.

Kevin Sheedy was heartened by the show of support. Getty

Coaching legend Kevin Sheedy, who presided over one of the club’s most successful eras, was amongst those to make the trek to the MCG.

“[The turnout has been] unbelievable,” he said.

“The fans have had four years of frustration and this is probably an opportunity to let it out.

“The people are the game.”

The 34 players, including a dozen currently on Essendon’s list, were suspended for a year after they were administered the banned supplement thymosin beta-4 during the 2012 season.

Ex-ruckman and board member Simon Madden said fans needed to stick together until the “hard times” became “good”.

“It’s about getting together, solidarity of the supporters of the club,” he said.

“We’ve been through some hard times, we’re still going through hard times. But it’s the solidarity of the people together that keeps the club strong.”

One fan said he was there to “support the 34”.

“I think they’ve been really badly done by [by ASADA and the AFL],” he said.

Another said the club had been absolutely “smashed” since the saga began in 2013.

“It’s unfair, what’s happening,” one woman said.