Power coach Ken Hinkley has faith players don’t use drugs — but rules mean he can’t be certain

PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley is confident his Power players will not be linked to a growing alarm on illicit drug use in the AFL — but he admits he is in the dark, as drug testing remains confidential.

port Adelaide footy training. Picture Campbell Brodie.

PORT ADELAIDE coach Ken Hinkley is confident his Power players will not be linked to a growing alarm on illicit drug use in the AFL — but he admits he is in the dark, as drug testing remains confidential.

“You can never say never, but we have a really good group of people here,” Hinkley said at Alberton on Good Friday.

“We are doing our absolute best to educate, and people understand what Port Adelaide stands for.

“I don’t (have concerns at Port Adelaide), but I am uneducated (on the results of drug tests). I am not aware of what all the facts can be.

“I also really trust this group that they will be doing the right thing — and that is all I can ask for.”

The AFL’s illicit drug policy is again under fire as a Herald Sun investigation has found three AFL clubs have a quarter or more of their players returning positive results after hair testing in the off-season.

“Illicit drugs, everyone acknowledges, are an issue in the game,” Hinkley said.

“The AFL and the AFL Players’ Association — everyone — is working towards a solution and trying to make it harder for people to get involved (in drugs).

“From a personal point of view, I have always said it is zero tolerance.

“That is the way I would like it to be, but I respect what the AFL and AFLPA are trying to do.

“Personally, 100 per cent, (I would like to know who fails a drug test on the first strike).

“(But) There is confidentiality (in the AFL illicit drug policy) and we respect that.”

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Originally published as Power coach Ken Hinkley has faith players don’t use drugs — but rules mean he can’t be certain