News Clubs operating league-sanctioned drug testing program - Harley Balic’s Dad Speaks

[Chief]

AFL Statement

As well as being a signatory to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code via the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code, the AFL has an Illicit Drug Policy which has been in place since 2005, and at the core of the policy is a commitment to player wellbeing and welfare.

The AFL Illicit Drug Policy (IDP) is a policy that specifically deals with the use of illicit substances out of competition and is focussed on player health and well-being. The policy seeks to reduce substance use and drug-related harms for AFL players and aims to inform and rehabilitate players through education and intervention.

It exists alongside and in addition to the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code which covers prohibited substances including some illicit substances in competition as prescribed by the WADA prohibited list.

Urine tests conducted by doctors to determine if a player has used illicit substances are part of the AFL’s Illicit Drug Policy medical model and have been for some time.

Doctors may use those urine tests to obtain an immediate result to determine whether any illicit substance remains in a player’s system. This is normally conducted at the club or in the doctors consulting rooms.

If the test shows a substance is still in the players system, a doctor will take steps to prevent a player from taking part in either training and/or an AFL match both for their own health and welfare and because having illicit substances in your system on match day may be deemed performance enhancing and a breach of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code (depending on the substance involved).

It is absolutely imperative that no doctor or club official should ever allow or encourage a player to take the field knowing they have recently taken an illicit substance that may be harmful to their health and/or may be deemed performance-enhancing (as many illicit substances are on match day).

We support the WADA code (as it applies to our sport through the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code) and support the fundamental premise on which it is founded that any player who takes the field with a performance-enhancing prohibited substance in their system should be treated in accordance with the Anti-Doping Code and face heavy sanctions.

The AFL observes that AFL players are not immune to the societal issues faced by young people with respect to illicit substances and also acknowledges that illicit drug use problems commonly co-occur with other mental health conditions.

While the AFL’s medical model involves a multidisciplinary healthcare management plan, the monitoring of players is highly confidential. A doctor or healthcare professional generally cannot disclose the nature of the clinical intervention or condition to others unless the player willingly consents.

We understand that the Illicit Drugs Policy can be improved and we are working with the AFLPA and players to improve the policy and the system to ensure we are better able to change the behaviours of players. But we are unapologetic about club and AFL doctors taking the correct steps to ensure that any player who they believe has an illicit substance in their system does not take part in any AFL match and that doctor patient confidentially is upheld and respected.

The AFL will always be required to make decisions which seek to balance competing rights and interests. The medical interests and welfare of players is a priority for the AFL given everything we know about the risks facing young people generally and those who play our game in particular.

 

[Backpockplugga]

I'm sure if we sat down and reviewed injury updates over the last few years for all clubs we could identify a few

Hate to say it but brisbane star’s random hammy injury two weeks ago

 

[catters_28]

Just robbing us of our moment to shine.

VFL HQ saw the possibility of an all-NSW grand final and decided to burn the whole thing down rather than let that come to pass.

You do realise it's only round 3 this week don't you?

Next you'll be saying that the Hawthorn racism saga breaking the week before the 2022 granny was the reason your mob forgot to show up that day.

 

[J_Moore]

Next you'll be saying that the Hawthorn racism saga breaking the week before the 2022 granny was the reason your mob forgot to show up that day.

It was pretty convenient that story came to light in a week the Swans should have been focussing on grand final preparation - the mental load/emotional labour required for interstate grand final teams is higher. And as a progressive club Sydney players are particularly affected by racialist incidents.

 

[bzparkes]

While it’s incredibly questionable morally, those of you who think that this falls foul of the wada code and will result in a monster fallout are mistaken.

The AFLs actions if proven true, are to remove players from playing games where there was a possibility they would be violating anti-doping rules. Why would that upset wada?

WADA: If you play with cocaine in your system you’ll be in trouble

AFL: you’ve got cocaine in your system so don’t play

Thats what they’ve done. Is it enabling? Absolutely. Is it an example of a seriously questionable culture? Definitely.

Is it a massive violation of anti-doping rules?
No

Man, '07 Eagles would've loved some of this kind of rationale form fans...

 

[bzparkes]

Just robbing us of our moment to shine.

VFL HQ saw the possibility of an all-NSW grand final and decided to burn the whole thing down rather than let that come to pass.

Sydney teams have priority access to first rounders via academies.

A little 'bad' news ain't going to hurt your fortunes.

Delusional.

 

[Corkintheocean]

Just robbing us of our moment to shine.

VFL HQ saw the possibility of an all-NSW grand final and decided to burn the whole thing down rather than let that come to pass.

I think in this instance, your classic Sydney narcissism is trumping any Vicbias.

 

[J_Moore]

Sydney teams have priority access to first rounders via academies.

A little 'bad' news ain't going to hurt your fortunes.

Delusional.

I think in this instance, your classic Sydney narcissism is trumping any Vicbias.

I think you guys are being naive if you think they wouldn’t do this if a West Coast/Fremantle GF looked to be on the cards, too.

 

[Incarnate]

I can see the slimy pricks playbook.
First disassociate the AFL from the “problem” and broaden it to a societal issue, therefore the AFL is but a victim to the broader drug scourge in society. Then come out and dismiss anything unto-wards, everything was done to maintain confidentiality of the players medical records and anonymity. Blame the previous administrations antiquated policies and continually reaffirm ‘new leadership’ ad nauseam. Appear cooperative and open to transparency whilst deploying a blitzkrieg of backdoor lobbying.

“The AFL doesn’t have a drug problem, society has a drug problem. This is a burden shared and we here at the AFL suffer these burdens like everybody else in society.”

“Players mental welfare is of the utmost importance therefore we took measures and steps to ensure our players anonymity.”

“This is a leading priority for us and our new leadership is looking to evolve our policies and have been fervently doing so behind-the-scenes since taking the reins earlier this year.”

 

[memoryofmchale]

Covering what up? An illicit drug code they've been open about for years?

Governments don't want to be made to look stupid when their investment in nice shiny athletes isn't always that way but no one sensible isn't aware wealthy young men do a bit of drugs. Most state governments that look after health care have moved to a more medical model.

Sponsors, same thing. They don't want to look stupid.

Why would the betting companies care unless they miss out on the mail, if there's actually any truth in this idea of extra testing and game day changes. Player X's hamstring injury wasn't actually a hamstring, big deal.

And fans? Spare me? Ben Cousins is still the prince of Perth. Good luck to the few puritans who are shocked that footy players take drugs. Everyone else has moved on.

It is a major integrity issue to have athletes use drugs and then have the league allow tests that bail them from an international-level drugs code designed to promote honesty and fairness.

The fallout from Essendon was immense but at least it was somewhat along the lines of other sports. And for what it’s worth, cocaine is also a PED as has been discussed on here previously.

Governments care that sporting organisations aren’t promoting a drug culture around young people. It is a terrible look for any organisation. Drugs are still illegal, especially in situations where organisations are seen to promote drugs. All states have strict codes of conducts and duty of care for these environments. They also want major sporting codes to avoid this behaviour for the bleedingly obvious.

Betting companies care because a player ruled out last minute can drastically change odds. If that player then suddenly returns from a fake injury, the odds might be set incorrectly as they are believed to be under a cloud. And yes, in gambling, something as minor as that matters.

Melbourne, although likely not the only club, will have made their sponsors think twice. This is not an association you want for a brand. It seems like basic business sense this one.

Fans knows players aren’t perfect but we want players to be looked after and safe. We also want a fair competition that doesn’t allow for cheats to invent excuses and escape consequence. If you have doped, own up rather than lying. There are so many better ways to do this. For some of us, it’s our mates, partners, family, etc as well.

 

[Corkintheocean]

I think you guys are being naive if you think they wouldn’t do this if a West Coast/Fremantle GF looked to be on the cards, too.

Been there, done that, got the t-shirt (Daniel Chick story prior to the 2015 GF).

Newsflash, the league is such a basketcase they are whack-a-moling scandals every other week of the year. That's through incompetence and a lack of morality, not conspiracy.

 

[bzparkes]

I think you guys are being naive if you think they wouldn’t do this if a West Coast/Fremantle GF looked to be on the cards, too.

Well, it's already happened. Come back if they drop similar news in GF week when you're playing an MCG tenant after sitting on the article for 11 months

 

[Incarnate]

It is a major integrity issue to have athletes use drugs and then have the league allow tests that bail them from an international-level drugs code designed to promote honesty and fairness.

The fallout from Essendon was immense but at least it was somewhat along the lines of other sports. And for what it’s worth, cocaine is also a PED as has been discussed on here previously.

Governments care that sporting organisations aren’t promoting a drug culture around young people. It is a terrible look for any organisation. Drugs are still illegal, especially in situations where organisations are seen to promote drugs. All states have strict codes of conducts and duty of care for these environments. They also want major sporting codes to avoid this behaviour for the bleedingly obvious.

Betting companies care because a player ruled out last minute can drastically change odds. If that player then suddenly returns from a fake injury, the odds might be set incorrectly as they are believed to be under a cloud. And yes, in gambling, something as minor as that matters.

Melbourne, although likely not the only club, will have made their sponsors think twice. This is not an association you want for a brand. It seems like basic business sense this one.

Fans knows players aren’t perfect but we want players to be looked after and safe. We also want a fair competition that doesn’t allow for cheats to invent excuses and escape consequence. If you have doped, own up rather than lying. There are so many better ways to do this. For some of us, it’s our mates, partners, family, etc as well.

Also, just to add, how do we think the AFL’s key commercial partners are going to be enjoying this. Do you think their shareholders would be happy with diverting company profits to have brand associations with the AFL?

 

[matty lloyd the champ]

This should be a huge story but judging by the lack of coverage about it right now, no one except us Bigfooty plebs will care about this once the weekend of footy comes by.

 

[Interdimensional Bigfoot]

Did danger even do a hammy or does he want a night on the town? Everything is now broken. Did Bailey Smith

6

Bailey Smith

Age

24

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

even do an ACL or is he having a AFL sanctioned party year. Never is what it seems.

 

[Corkintheocean]

Did danger even do a hammy or does he want a night on the town? Everything is now broken. Did Bailey Smith even do an ACL or is he having a AFL sanctioned party year. Never is what it seems.

You know a cover up story has legs when Bigfoot comes out of hiding to comment.

 

[garlic munchers]

'Man in charge of a group of impressionable, young men, is constantly on the gear at club events/pissups'

Great example to be setting

Cue Glenn Archer to make public his concerns about young men being drafted to the Demons, Robert Walls to call them the evil empire MkII and Gerald Whatley to have conniptions.

 

[zigipop]

Goody was neck deep in dank juice at Essendon and landed the top job at the Dees without facing any scrutiny from the Essendon saga.
Melbourne was using Dank through the period Essendon was and never faced any scrutiny.
So the club and its officials learned behaviour is that they’ll do as they please and be assisted by the league.
This episode is a mere continuation of circumstances fostered over many years.

 

[garlic munchers]

This should be a huge story but judging by the lack of coverage about it right now, no one except us Bigfooty plebs will care about this once the weekend of footy comes by.

Too many vested interests keen on giving the AFL a bloody nose with the Tassie Anti AFL group licking its lips (getting twitchy, experiencing rapid heartbeat and scratching everywhere) for this to disappear.

 

[SunshineBoy]

Does anyone doubt that match fixing isn’t on the cards as well?

 

[CatToTheFuture]

West Coast still geared up to the eye balls?

Would explain hub performances maybe. They're shut out from their dealers

 

[SunshineBoy]

Let’s see if this becomes the massive story it deserves to be, or if it is swept under the rug.

AFL sanctioned cheating. Should be front page.

Do you think that Match Fixing us also outside the realms of possibility?

 

[Kappa]

Couldn't players just... not take illicit drugs during the season?

Is it really that hard?

 

[Cyclops]

Couldn't players just... not take illicit drugs during the season?

Is it really that hard?

Not hard morally, but as a moral issue most of society says its ok. Our leaders refuse to change the laws about drugs to satisfy small groups of old men who enjoy elaborate ethical theatre. I'm sure the young blokes struggle with the hypocrisy.

I guess if, hypothetically, a coach, senior administrators etc were obviously using the players might feel encouraged to do so?

And also, hypothetically, if a senior player in an important market was protected from the consequences of illicit drug use, other players might expect the same protection...

Or maybe it's just a misunderstanding and Gillon is a moral paragon like his mentor Demetriou. He's the guy who worked for a school that owned racehorses, and was considered insufficiently moral to be involved in NSW casinos.

 

[George]

Does anyone doubt that match fixing isn’t on the cards as well?

Giving the umpires way too much credit there. They are simply inept. A blight on the game.

 

[gogeelongcats]

It seems like this issue has significant implications.

There's thorough documentation.

The AFL appears to be deeply embroiled in a crisis which is a major concern. Dillon's legacy is irreparably damaged.

The Government's funding is contingent upon the proper administration of the drug regime. Any deception here is a grave concern for all stakeholders. The Government must conduct a thorough investigation. Why hasn't this been accepted as tabled by the parliament? Are other clubs implicated? How long has this misconduct persisted?

This could potentially become the most significant story emerging from the AFL. Given the various vested interests involved, there's a high likelihood of attempts to suppress it.

The supporters of the AFL and the general public want assurances that an independent review takes place. No cover up please.