WorkSafe Victoria set to probe AFL’s ‘off the books’ drug testing regime

WorkSafe is set to probe the AFL’s ‘off the books’ drug testing after a complaint from the parent of a player who says he was disgusted by the revelations.

The AFL’s illicit drugs probe has taken a twist after WorkSafe Victoria said it would investigate the league’s “off-the-books’’ drug-testing policy.

WorkSafe responded to a request from Shaun Smith, the father of Melbourne footballer Joel, who is facing at least a four-year suspension for testing positive to cocaine.

Joel Smith is also being investigated by Sport Integrity Australia for alleged drug trafficking.

Shaun Smith believes Melbourne, the AFL and the AFL Players Association are guilty of enabling an unsafe workplace and zeroed in on the “off-the-books’’ drug tests that are sanctioned by all three bodies.

SIA this week found no evidence that the off-the-books testing of players did not “constitute an ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation)”, nor did it find evidence to support allegations players who tested positive to banned drugs feigned injury and missed games.

AFL bosses Andrew Dillon and Laura Kane. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Shaun Smith said the SIA report left him no alternative than to contact WorkSafe.

“Where else can I go?” he said.

“It’s not just about Joel; it’s about every parent, every son or daughter who has had some issues.

“I think Clayton Oliver is a pretty bad victim of the system as well. There’s Harley Balic.

“We have people in jail. We have people who have committed suicide.’’

Joe Calafiore. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

WorkSafe chief executive Joe Calafiore confirmed to Peter Jess, who lodged the complaint of an unsafe workplace on behalf of Shaun Smith, that he had referred Smith’s complaint to the investigation and safety teams.

“WorkSafe will now respond,’’ Mr Calafiore said.

It is at least the third time Jess has made such a complaint to WorkSafe, which is obliged to investigate all such claims. In previous claims, it has found no safety concerns.

The SIA report, which was released on Monday, is expected to be part of the investigation.

“I’m just a concerned parent,’’ Shaun Smith said.

“The off-the-books testing was the killer for me. They enabled young men to take drugs and get away with it. That’s disgusting. And the exact words out of (AFL chief executive) Andrew Dillon’s mouth are that they make no apologies for it and that they do not condone illicit drug use. But they have a medical model, which is exactly the opposite.

“It just seems the AFL gets away with anything at the moment.”

Former Demons high flyer Shaun Smith.

Shaun Smith does not defend his son’s actions, which he says has ripped the family apart.

“It’s the worst I’ve been in many years,’’ he said. “I was in hospital about five years ago and I was actually contemplating going back in not long ago. The strain (on) our relationship … it’s just unbelievable. It really has destroyed my life for the past eight months.

“I don’t condone what Joel did, and yes we are responsible for our own actions, but it’s not right that the environment enables you to do it quite easily. The clubs have to do constant testing to ensure the players are compliant and safe from drug use.

“I sent my son into an environment when he was a fine young man and he’s come back to me in the prime of his life as a drug-user and potentially a drug-trafficker. It’s horrendous.”

Federal MP Andrew Wilkie blew the whistle on the secret drug testing regime.

Jess said there were concerns about players’ testing positive to drugs in the workplace – the “off-site testing”, he called it – and then still being able to train and drive a car.

“That can’t be a safe workplace,’’ Jess said. “The AFL, Melbourne and the PA (AFL Players’ Association) all support the current practice.”

He supported Smith’s call for increased testing by clubs during the week.

“Unless the organisation is testing, which they are not because Joel got through the system, then how many other ‘Joels’ are there that we don’t know about?,” he asked.

“If they don’t test, how do they know the extent of the problem? In other workplaces, which are considered dangerous, people are tested daily before they are able to start work.’’

This masthead also reported this week that AFLW players appeared set to be tested for illicit drugs for the first time, with SIA’s recommendation to include the female cohort in the league’s revamped illicit drugs policy.

“It’s amazing the AFLW competition had not previously had an illicit drugs policy,’’ Jess said.

“We’ve had two Sydney (AFLW players) who have been publicly caught with drugs, and that raises a whole range of problems.’’

Originally published as WorkSafe Victoria set to probe AFL’s ‘off the books’ drug testing regime