News Clubs operating league-sanctioned drug testing program - Harley Balic’s Dad Speaks

[Chief]

AFL Statement

As well as being a signatory to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code via the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code, the AFL has an Illicit Drug Policy which has been in place since 2005, and at the core of the policy is a commitment to player wellbeing and welfare.

The AFL Illicit Drug Policy (IDP) is a policy that specifically deals with the use of illicit substances out of competition and is focussed on player health and well-being. The policy seeks to reduce substance use and drug-related harms for AFL players and aims to inform and rehabilitate players through education and intervention.

It exists alongside and in addition to the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code which covers prohibited substances including some illicit substances in competition as prescribed by the WADA prohibited list.

Urine tests conducted by doctors to determine if a player has used illicit substances are part of the AFL’s Illicit Drug Policy medical model and have been for some time.

Doctors may use those urine tests to obtain an immediate result to determine whether any illicit substance remains in a player’s system. This is normally conducted at the club or in the doctors consulting rooms.

If the test shows a substance is still in the players system, a doctor will take steps to prevent a player from taking part in either training and/or an AFL match both for their own health and welfare and because having illicit substances in your system on match day may be deemed performance enhancing and a breach of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code (depending on the substance involved).

It is absolutely imperative that no doctor or club official should ever allow or encourage a player to take the field knowing they have recently taken an illicit substance that may be harmful to their health and/or may be deemed performance-enhancing (as many illicit substances are on match day).

We support the WADA code (as it applies to our sport through the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code) and support the fundamental premise on which it is founded that any player who takes the field with a performance-enhancing prohibited substance in their system should be treated in accordance with the Anti-Doping Code and face heavy sanctions.

The AFL observes that AFL players are not immune to the societal issues faced by young people with respect to illicit substances and also acknowledges that illicit drug use problems commonly co-occur with other mental health conditions.

While the AFL’s medical model involves a multidisciplinary healthcare management plan, the monitoring of players is highly confidential. A doctor or healthcare professional generally cannot disclose the nature of the clinical intervention or condition to others unless the player willingly consents.

We understand that the Illicit Drugs Policy can be improved and we are working with the AFLPA and players to improve the policy and the system to ensure we are better able to change the behaviours of players. But we are unapologetic about club and AFL doctors taking the correct steps to ensure that any player who they believe has an illicit substance in their system does not take part in any AFL match and that doctor patient confidentially is upheld and respected.

The AFL will always be required to make decisions which seek to balance competing rights and interests. The medical interests and welfare of players is a priority for the AFL given everything we know about the risks facing young people generally and those who play our game in particular.

 

[Enviable Tradition]

The official AFL defense will be that this was part of their illicit drugs program. It was part of looking after the player and the club doctor helping them with their drug issue. As part of helping the player the doctor conducted a test to identify what the player was taking etc etc.

Under the drug policy this was kept confidential as per the agreement with the players association so that players would seek help. As the player never played with it in their system they broke no rules.

WADA won't GAF though.

They might actually take down the whole boys club, which would be great.

On SM-G975F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

If the allegations are true and the legal system isn’t corrupt it will mean the AFL are finished. Curtains. Finished.

No chance.

They're currently plotting a story right at this moment, sizing up a patsy and getting a press release ready to declare their desire to complete a full investigation....which will give them just enough time square it all away with the feds and have the review findings in their back pocket, ready.

 

[Roogene]

Would sort of explain this then if true

The cover up begins and desperate Eddie trying to find a gig on the AFL commission.

 

[Retzlaff]

Trust the AFL to be disbanded in the year Freo was gonna win the flag

 

[scoman]

Trust the AFL to be disbanded in the year Freo was gonna win the flag

Flagmantle to take out the 'moral' premiership for 2024!

 

[Bonz]

I get this, but presumably there is a huge difference between taking it 5 days before a game, and 5 minutes before a game.

Surely having cocaine in your system from 5 nights ago, if anything, is net negative.

I don’t think anyone wants players to be high while playing (hello Ben cousins, Swans robbed 2006).

But if they’re testing for whether it is “in their system”, or even as suggested re: AFLW girls, do hair samples (could have taken it a year ago), this seems like we’re throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Happy with a saliva test morning of every game, but otherwise I don't see the issue with players shoving whatever they want up whatever they want

I agree there are differences physically before and during game day, but there can be some benefits to using it sparingly around training.

There are athletes who would use it as a motivator as well (think it was Cousins who would use the possibility of drugs after a game to motivate himself further).

 

[Sewer de Lance]

Gil might be on the same getaway plane that Sean ‘P.Diddy’ Combs is on.

 

[Ry009]

AFL shady dealings?

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Huge story.

Is this the AFL saying, we don't know, we don't want to know, just make sure they don't test positive on game day, or is the the AFL looking at big, big names and saying do what you gotta do to get them on the park for our audience and we will turn a blind eye to the rest.

It's pretty s**t if the AFL are hand holding for the big stars and crucifying anybody else.

If it's even more prevalent than that, then where is the disincentive for the players? The AFL are actually given them permission through inaction.

 

[tigs2010]

“ it is an AFL problem with multiple players coming to Melbourne from other teams with pre-existing cocaine dependencies more than suggesting that drug testing workarounds are commonplace elsewhere in the AFL.”

Interesting comment.

What years was this guy the doc?

 

[nick1408]

Hansard Display

Hansard Display

aph.gov.au

Wilkie's speach today for those who want it.

 

[Roogene]

What years was this guy the doc?

Flag year I think, and a few years before that

 

[BuRgeRs82]

This is shocking. The AFL and MFC have a lot to answer for. I would not be suprised if MFC were to be deducted premiership points for bringing the game into disrepute.

 

[bzparkes]

No chance.

They're currently plotting a story right at this moment, sizing up a patsy and getting a press release ready to declare their desire to complete a full investigation....which will give them just enough time square it all away with the feds and have the review findings in their back pocket, ready.

"There has to be a way we can blame this on '06 West Coast".

 

[kyri]

Surely its only effective for about 10 minutes or so!

if its full of cutters maybe..

 

[pattymalone00]

What years was this guy the doc?

 

[Devastating Boris]

It would be multiple clubs

Wilkie is quoted in the article as saying it’s not just a MFC thing. It’s AFL wide

 

[Ry009]

It's clear as day it's all about the AFL protecting its image as well functioning clean code.

Player culture seems no better than the NRL, they've just been far better at managing PR and coverups up until now.

 

[kyri]

Hansard Display

Hansard Display

aph.gov.au

Wilkie's speach today for those who want it.

what an ending..

To assist the House and the Prime Minister, I seek leave to table documents I've referred to tonight.

Leave not granted.

Photo of MPMr WILKIE: Deputy Speaker, could I just seek leave again?

Leave not granted.

Photo of MPMr WILKIE: You want to hide these documents? That reflects shockingly on the government.

Photo of MPThe DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms C ): You don't have an opportunity to debate that, sorry. Thank you, Member for Clark.

at least he went down swinging.

 

[Ichiro #51]

This is shocking. The AFL and MFC have a lot to answer for. I would not be suprised if MFC were to be deducted premiership points for bringing the game into disrepute.

The AFL can’t punish the Dees without essentially admitting they themselves are guilty of manipulating the drug code. Not going to happen.

 

[MITSUHIRATO]

It’s all just a big misunderstanding folks.

They were just vitamin C tests according to Mark McVeigh

Mark Mcveigh

Age

43

Ht

184cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.1

4star

K

11.6

4star

HB

5.5

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

3.0

5star

No current season stats available

D

18.4

5star

K

13.6

5star

HB

4.8

4star

M

5.6

5star

T

2.0

4star

.

 

[Area51]

Surely there's a provision in the sports integrity australia or anti-doping legislation somewhere that says professional leagues can't just make up injuries to cover up players getting coked up the wazoo.

The AFL is not a signatory to Sports Integrity Australia's framework.

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

Is it a big story?

If they’re not performance enhancing, and not under the influence while playing then I don’t really care what they do in their private time.

They’re only hurting themselves and their team.

Not sure if serious

 

[fairbump_playon]

Surely its only effective for about 10 minutes or so!

Why do you think rotations went through the roof in the modern game?

They could probably control it somewhat by putting grams under the soft cap.

 

[BunjiMC]

I can't find this story being covered on any of the major news outlets?