Drugs in sport
Footy codes’ anti-doping deals led to four-month gap in off-season drug testing
A review of Sport Integrity Australia’s operations has revealed men’s AFL and rugby union players were not drug tested for significant periods in 2023 and 2024.
- Chris Barrett
Latest
- Opinion
- Opinion
Why Jannik Sinner’s three-month doping ban is the deal of the century
There’s nothing remarkable about the fact WADA and Sinner did a deal. But three months? That’s got a stench.
- Darren Kane
Captains’ beef: Skippers confront Goyder over drug policy at pub dinner
A private dining room at a South Melbourne gastro pub was the scene of a robust debate between AFL captains and commission chairman Richard Goyder.
- Sam McClure and Jon Pierik
- AFL Briefing
- AFL 2025
Behind the AFL’s ‘bizarre’ rule change; Petracca maintains Demons are his future
The ball will now be bounced by an umpire after a club is warned for a 6-6-6 infringement at a centre bounce after a goal, to avoid teams being tempted to gain a competitive advantage.
- Jon Pierik, Sam McClure, Michael Gleeson and Scott Spits
- Opinion
- Opinion
Ban? Seriously? WADA has done Sinner a massive favour
Jannik Sinner and his team of expensive lawyers have played the system like a Stradivarius.
- Simon Briggs
‘Sad day for tennis’: Kyrgios speaks out after Sinner accepts three-month doping ban
Australian Nick Kyrgios has criticised the three-month ban accepted by Jannik Sinner after the Italian world No.1 tested positive for anabolic agent last year.
- Billie Eder
Joel Smith was banned for four years. His dad thinks the AFL’s proposed drug policy could have saved him
The AFL’s proposed crackdown on illicit drugs has received substantial support, with the father of a banned Melbourne footballer calling for players to be tested weekly.
- Jon Pierik
- Exclusive
- AFL 2025
‘We won’t be accepting that’: AFL’s proposal for strict new drugs code revealed
The AFLPA boss said the union would refuse to accept a new drug code regime of immediate fines. Also, players testing positive wouldn’t place their anonymity at risk.
- Caroline Wilson
Swans player banned for possession of an illicit substance
Sydney Swans player Caiden Cleary has been suspended and fined by the AFL after NSW police determined that he was in possession of an illicit substance late last year.
- Gemma Grant
NBL star Xavier Cooks tested positive to cocaine
The drug carries a maximum four-year ban, but the penalty can be reduced to a month if proven it was taken for recreational use and not to enhance performance.
- Chris Barrett
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/drugs-in-sport-1moe