Dees footy boss Alan Richardson backs drug code changes to help players like Harley Balic

Alan Richardson has dealt with hundreds of players over many roles at seven clubs. He would welcome changes to the AFL’s drug policy to allow clubs to intervene to help players.

Harley Balic of the Dockers takes a mark in Round 7, 2017. Picture: AAP/Richard Wainwright.

Melbourne would welcome changes to the AFL’s illicit drug code, potentially allowing them to intervene to further help players after the tragic passing of former Fremantle and Demon Harley Balic.

This masthead revealed on Tuesday that Balic’s death was part of a Sport Integrity Australia investigation into the AFL’s illicit drug code, with the player in the league’s medical model and exempted from drug strikes while battling addiction during his AFL career.

He died at the age of 25, having moved from Fremantle to the Demons where he was on the club’s list for less than a season.

Harley Balic of the Dockers takes a mark in Round 7, 2017. Picture: AAP/Richard Wainwright.

Balic’s father, Eddie, told this masthead the lack of information the family could access about his troubles prevented them from a full understanding of his issues.

Only a club doctor is able to have knowledge of a player’s drug history or illicit drug strikes.

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has long warned that the lack of information available to clubs puts their players at risk, given they cannot put more support around them. Melbourne football boss Alan Richardson told 3AW radio that he could not comment on Balic’s tragic situation. But Richardson said across a career in coaching and administration that spans seven clubs, there had been times he wished to know more to help a player.

The AFL’s illicit drugs code review is ongoing after an external report was handed to the league this week.

“I have been in footy for a long time and had a couple of scenarios you wrestle with (it). ‘Could we have done better as an organisation if we had known more?’,” Richardson said.

“So I can only imagine a parent would think the same way.

Melbourne senior coach Simon Goodwin with footy manager Alan Richardson. Picture: Michael Klein.

“The AFL and (AFL Players’ Association) are aware of this situation and are working to review the process to make sure the right people get the right information.

“I don’t want to speak about the circumstances (regarding Balic). That is a tragedy, but in terms of philosophically with the policy, the AFL are looking really closely at it and I am sure will adjust.”

Balic’s father Eddie said of the AFL’s approach to its illicit drugs code: “The huge disappointment is that the AFL knew a lot and as a family we weren’t told. We may have saved him earlier.”

Originally published as Dees footy boss Alan Richardson backs drug code changes to help players like Harley Balic