AFL club chief executives believe a second bout of hair testing for illicit drugs could help crackdown on those gaming system

As part of the AFL’s illicit drug code, players are subjected to a hair test when they return to pre-season training or after the summer break. Is that enough? Some club chiefs don’t think so.

AFL club chief executives believe a second bout of hair testing for illicit drugs conducted during the season could help crackdown on drug-taking from footy’s ratbags.

The league’s club bosses met last Tuesday to discuss key AFL issues, including the illicit drug code review, with a revamped policy to be struck by the end of this season.

A key sticking point in the review is how to retain the league’s medical model, which helps players in need as they battle serious drug issues while also weeding out party-boy drug takers gaming the system.

As part of the illicit drug code, players are subjected to a hair test when they return to pre-season training or after the summer break, which gives the AFL specific details on their level of drug use.

Players who have high-level or worrying levels of drug use are then subjected to target testing by the AFL’s drug testers across the season.

The AFL Players’ Association is adamant club CEOs should not be told about positive drug tests mid-season, worried they would abuse the information.

AFL players are subjected to a hair test when they return to pre-season training. Picture: Ian Currie

Clubs, including Melbourne and Essendon, have lobbied to have more information to help troubled players who could slip through the cracks without intervention.

One idea that has been proposed is that if players are aware their mid-season drug-taking will be recorded, they would be less likely to partake in illicit substances.

The hair testing could be compared to summer hair testing and if the pattern of behaviour did not improve, the policy could result in the club chief executive being informed.

Players are aware any use of drugs like cocaine is likely to be out of their system when they return to training on Monday.

Players have reported the majority of mid-season tests are target-tested, which means some players believe they are little chance of recording an ­illicit drug strike.

The extra hair testing would not result in positive strikes but would give clubs a better idea of any issues in their team sand allow them to intervene before problems arose.

Clubs are often suspicious of their players but without any concrete evidence, it is hard for them to confront those players and change their behaviour.

Under the current policy, the club medico cannot disclose a player’s drug history to anyone else at the club.

Sport Integrity Australia chief David Sharpe. Picture: Mick Tsikas

The AFL is intent on finding a balance in its new drug code that makes it harder for the party boys and ratbags to get away with mid-season drug-taking while still keeping the educational element of the policy front of mind.

The AFLPA said on Monday after a Sport Integrity Australia report into the drug policy that it was still waiting for the AFL to discuss any proposed changes with the players’ union.

“The AFLPA remains strongly committed to the principles that underpin the current IDP,” it said.

“The IDP is based on a medical model, entered into voluntarily by our members, that ensures the confidentiality of players and is designed to intervene, educate, and rehabilitate those who use illicit substances.

“An independent review into the IDP has been completed by external experts and the AFLPA is waiting for the AFL’s first proposal on changes to the policy. Any changes to the policy must be agreed by the AFLPA and AFL.”