AFL reviews illicit drugs policy after Caiden Cleary drugs suspension

The AFL is preparing to make a change to its illicit drugs policy after it handed out a ban to a young player who tried to buy drugs.

The AFL’s illicit drugs policy is under review and set for “strengthening” following an incident involving Sydney youngster Caiden Cleary.

Cleary became the latest AFL player in breach of the policy after he was caught attempting to buy drugs in Sydney’s east in December.

On Friday, the 19-year-old was hit with a two-match ban and a suspended $5000 fine by the AFL to go with a $400 fine, but no conviction, by NSW Police.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon says the policy is under the microscope and will be changed.

“We are reviewing it at the moment and what we’re looking to do is refine the policy and strengthening it,” he said.

Sydney’s Caiden Cleary was hit with a suspended fine and a ban by the AFL. Picture: Phil Hillyard

“We’re in conversations with the players and the AFLPA on that at the moment and there will be changes to it. When they take place, well, we’ve just got to work through with the PA on it.”

Dillon says illicit drug is a “societal issue” rather than an AFL issue but wants to further educate players.

“It is ultimately a voluntary code that the players sign up to which is above and beyond what other sports in Australia and worldwide are doing,” he said.

“We’re clear on that but we also know that illicit drug use is a community issue, it’s a societal issue, but we want to make sure we can educate our players as well as we can by our policy.”