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With the West Coast Eagles just days away from contesting the 2015 AFL Grand Final, former premiership midfielder Daniel Chick has revealed shocking insights into the culture of drug abuse that was present at the club during their last successful premiership season in 2006.
In an interview with News Corp, Chick revealed that both illicit drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine, as well as prescription asthma pills, Xanax, Stilnox, Sudafed and Valium were widely used at the club.
Chick specifically made mention of two high-profile teammates, Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr, who were, along with Chick, supplied large doses of prednisone, an asthma drug banned under anti-doping rules which the three were allowed access to because they are asthmatic.
“I started taking the 20mgs and 5mgs tablets on game day, but then it escalated up to 40 to 50mgs quickly,” Chick stated.
“I couldn’t even sit still on the bench. It smashes your system. I’ve since read a lot about it, we didn’t know what was done to us. You feel bulletproof basically.
“The lack of sleep, the depression, it affects your mental health, coping mechanisms, metabolic rates and causes memory loss and sleep issues. It’s not a coincidence the three of us have had issues with substance abuse.”
Chick also revealed the practice of snorting crushed Xanax and mixing Valium with vodka on the long flights from Perth to the east coast.
Furthermore, he disclosed the practice of covering up what was taking place so that players who were certain to fail a drug test were bypassed.
“One staffer even ushered a player out the back door that he knew would fail a drug test. He said the player was not at training and was home sick,” Chick said.
Chick played for West Coast from 2003 to 2007.
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