New AFL drugs policy revealed in landmark shake-up; ‘stalled’ Dees talks allow rival to swoop — Daily

The AFL, in conjuction with the Players Association, has confirmed in principle a “rigorous” new illicit drugs policy designed to make players more accountable than in years past.

In a landmark overhaul, the league’s previous three-strikes policy has been thrown out in favour of more stringent measures.

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The league says the revised policy is “focussed on player health and wellbeing”, and is aimed at improving health outcomes “through enhanced care, governance, and increased levels of accountability”.

Headlining the changes is a regular hair-testing regime that is set to more accurately identify players’ substance abuse.

The hair tests, which players are set to undergo multiple times a season, are said to be able to detect substances for up to three months.

It replaces the previous model of urine testing — the accuracy of which is limited after just a few days.

Hair testing was part of the old policy, but there was previously no punitive attachment to the results.

When a player returns a positive drug test, they will undergo “significant health assessments and interventions to enact behaviour change and be subject to increased levels of accountability with escalating consequences”.

The AFL revealed a stepped process to be introduced under the new policy:

1. A Behaviour Change Program (BCP) and individualised assessment will follow a positive hair test; this may include healthcare interventions for players from the outset.

2. If there is a second-consecutive positive test a player will progress to an individual Management Plan overseen by an AFL IDP Manager. A Management Plan includes ongoing clinical assessments, treatment and routine testing with a co-funding model in place ($5000 for AFL and $900 for AFLW).

3. If a player continues to use and all attempts to engage them in the IDP framework have failed, they will be referred at this point to a Fitness to Play assessment by an independent panel, at which point the club President, CEO, and GM of Football (amongst others) are informed.

4. As a result of a Fitness to Play Assessment, a player is determined to be fit to play, fit to play or train on stipulated terms, or unfit to play or train for a specified period and supported with intensive treatment.

5. A player will progress from the framework when they have fully and successfully participated in their Management Plan.

Like the previous policy, confidentiality remains a key condition. But for the first time, the new policy will also include AFLW players.

Those that are unable to commit to education programs, testing measures and respond positively to the new policy will not be able to play at senior level until they do so. They will be declared ‘unavailable’ for selection.

The AFL, which says the revised policy will be “documented and finalised in the coming months”, is also introducing the following measures:

- Support for players for up to two years after retirement or delisting.

- A newly established Joint IDP Committee, comprising representatives from the AFL, AFLPA, AFL Doctors’ Association and experts in addiction and drug policy to oversee implementation of the revised policy.

- A dedicated Illicit Drugs Policy Manager at the AFL, jointly appointed by the AFLPA to support the operation of the framework.

- A suspension range of two to four matches for AFL players for public use of illicit drugs once the revised policy takes effect (pro rata for AFLW players).

- Confidentiality obligations will continue, including a sanction of up to $250,000 on a club and individual de-registration if these are found to have been breached.

“The revised IDP will be the most stringent illicit drugs policy in Australian sport, while also remaining clinically informed, and focused on player health and wellbeing,” AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said in a statement on Thursday.

“This revised policy is stronger, more comprehensive and more rigorous. It combines mandatory education, universal hair testing, treatment, monitoring and ongoing support across both AFL and AFLW.”

In an interview with SEN in early March, AFLPA boss James Gallagher said: “The intent always has been to find a contemporary approach to the medical management of players using illicit drugs, and taking the advice of the experts as to what is the best way to both identify, firstly, which is where the hair testing can come in, to support players through that process and put the right programs in front of them.

“And then hold them accountable to that support, so that if you are getting help, there is a responsibility that you’re taking up that help.

“That medical approach is one that we’ve been really strong on the whole way through the negotiation.”

‘STALLED’ DEES TALKS ALLOW RIVAL TO SWOOP

Melbourne’s move to Waverley Park has reportedly hit a snag, with a rival club now “in negotiations” to swoop in.

The Demons have been desperate for a larger, dedicated training base and are currently split between Gosch’s Paddock at AAMI Park — which they share with the NRL’s Storm and A-League’s Victory — and Casey Fields, which is distant and too small to house the whole club.

The Demons had sought a temporary move to Hawthorn’s old base amid their long-term plans to make Caulfield Racecourse their home — however, confirmation of those plans remains up in the air, which has “stalled” the club’s Mulgrave move.

“Many thought the Melbourne Football Club was going to move in — for a long time they’ve wanted to have their whole club under the one roof,” Mitch Cleary began on Channel Seven.

“Negotiations had been ongoing, (but) they have now stalled, because Melbourne doesn’t want to commit to Waverley until Caulfield is ticked off — and Caulfield is a long way from happening, if it ever happens at all.

“So, Melbourne on the rocks with Waverley — it looks like they might be staying at AAMI Park in the short term.”

The AFL, which became the landlord of Waverley Park after buying it off the Hawks — who finalised their move to Dingley in the offseason — is now in talks with Richmond about a temporary relocation.

“Right now, the AFL has picked up negotiations with Richmond, because the Tigers need a home base for nine or 10 months when Punt Road gets reconfigured,” Cleary said.

Gosch’s Paddock remains an option for Richmond as well.

Craig Hutchison called the situation a “disaster” for Melbourne, adding: “Surely they should just lock in Waverley for a period of time.”

Cleary replied: “I think the big picture here is the Demons don’t want to be stuck at Waverley for five, six, seven years if Caulfield never gets off the ground.

“They want Caulfield locked in first before that move to Waverley, but right now, there are complications around Caulfield … it’s a whole mess.”

Recently speaking on SEN radio, Melbourne chief executive Paul Guerra said the move was “one of the last challenges for the football club to call itself one of the premier football clubs in the competition.”

“We are the only one who doesn’t have a home. Even Tasmania won’t start until they get their home,” he said.

“While we are really happy with what we’ve got at Casey – and it’s a great facility down there – it can’t house the whole club.

“Where we are at the MCG, we can’t house the whole club. Where we are at AAMI we can’t house the whole club.”

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