AFL Women’s league will not have an illicit drugs policy for its inaugural season

THE AFL Women’s league will mirror the professionalism of the men’s, with a match review panel and testing for performance-enhancing drugs but no illicit drugs policy.

THE AFL’s women’s league will not have an illicit drugs policy next year with some non-binding hair tests the extent of their testing procedures.

The eight-week season will in many ways mirror the professionalism of the men’s competition, with a match review panel and testing for performance-enhancing drugs.

The league also plans competition-wide baseline testing for concussion given some studies show women are more susceptible to head knocks.

But the AFL confirmed on Friday it did not yet plan to introduce an illicit drugs policy in line with the men.

AFL executive Simon Lethlean, heading up the women’s competition, said the men’s IDP was brokered over lengthy negotiations.

The AFL revealed the uniforms for the AFL Women’s league on Thursday. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

The league and AFLPA are working through the number of hair tests which show 90 days of specific drug data in an athlete including the drug and extent of use.

That data might instruct the code on whether it needs a more far-reaching and comprehensive illicit drugs code.

“Mark and Paul Marsh spoke about it (on Thursday) and I don’t think we will be bringing in an IDP for the girls yet,’’ Lethlean told the Herald Sun.

“It will be more like a trial with some hair testing. We have the IDP with the men but it’s a different scenario with a semi-professional women’s league so we will do some preparatory stuff and some testing. Mark has been dealing with the AFLPA on it.

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“It’s a seven-week season, they are not professionals, the only way we got the IDP with the men was by mutual consent.

“We are only just starting out our competition so it will be one to work with the AFLPA on and we will do that with some trials and see what the situation looks like.”

The women this week reached agreement on a new pay deal which sees the 16 marquee players paid $27,000, the priority players $12,000 and the remaining players $8,500.

Melbourne’s Daisy Pearce (centre) shapes as the face of the AFL Women’s league. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

With Collingwood’s Moana Hope, Western Bulldog Katie Brennan and Melbourne’s Daisy Pearce the most high-profile trio of players, some women might earn more than their male counterparts.

Lethlean confirmed several of the players already had boot deals and car sponsors, which could see them paid more than AFL rookie players.

“The main 16 girls have got endorsements to shoe brand and cars and I know Mo is with Nike and Daisy is with New Balance and they are all making their way,’’ he said.

“They have got some good endorsements and there is a pretty big opportunity there for them.

“They have managers like TLA and Paul Connors so they will have some good opportunities next year.”

Melbourne marquee player Pearce has already done extensive media work with Channel Seven and shapes as the face of the new AFLW league.

Originally published as AFL Women’s league will not have an illicit drugs policy for its inaugural season