Players' hands up to dodge drug net

AFL Players Association player relations general manager Ian Prendergast. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Source: Herald Sun

AFL players are avoiding drug strikes by exploiting a loophole in the game's drugs policy.

The Courier-Mail can reveal there has been a spike in players at one Melbourne-based club self-reporting the use of drugs to AFL medical directors Dr Peter Harcourt and Dr Harry Unglik.

The concern is restricted to a small number of players, mostly from the same club.

By self-reporting, a process which requires players to present to Dr Harcourt or Dr Unglik, the players avoid registering a positive drug test and a strike against their name.

Self-reporting is a feature of the AFL's three strikes illicit drugs policy and occurs when a player wishes to admit having used drugs.

Club chiefs say excuses used include "I have had my drink spiked" and "I've accidentally had drugs".

Some players have self-reported more than once, raising concerns about a deliberate abuse of the policy.

AFL players are regularly drug tested for illicit drugs and can be tested at any time.

There has been a rise in the number of self-reports in 2012, leading to suspicions players are abusing the system.

The Courier-Mail understands the AFL and AFLPA are considering limiting the number of allowable self-reporting incidents to one per player in an annual review of the policy.

An increase in the number of off-season hair tests is also being considered.

AFL Players Association player relations general manager Ian Prendergast said the union continued to discuss improvements in the illicit drugs policy with the AFL and AFL medicos.

"The association sits down at the end of every year with AFL medicos to review the operation of the policy," Prendergast said.

"If there are issues that need to be addressed to ensure that the policy not only helps players at risk but also acts as a strong deterrent, I'm confident we can address those issues through our discussion with the AFL medicos."

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