You would have to have been living under a rock the size of Uluru to not be aware of the saga that engulfed both the AFL and the Essendon Football Club last year.
I talk of course of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the performance enhancing drugs controversy that cost the Bombers a spot in the finals.
Even though the consequences can be severe, it is understandable the reasons why a professional athlete may wish to pursue an illegal advantage over their competition.
But it had me wondering, are performance enhancing drugs also prevalent in local and country football across Australia?
The simple fact of the matter is that money often rules country and suburban football. Players are paid more than ever.
Some even consider it their full time job and choose not to work. Naturally, the better the player, the more he is likely to be paid.
So the incentive to gain an illegal advantage in the form of performance enhancing drugs is certainly there.
When you consider the rise in popularity for body building and also the clichéd festival-junkies that love hitting the gym, access to performance enhancers is easier than ever.
It is unlikely that the Essendon saga, or other high-profile performance enhancing drug cases, would do much to deter players from taking them.
Country players know that they are highly unlikely to be tested by ASADA for a number of reasons. Each test is highly expensive and it would be a hassle for ASADA representatives to get to a lot of country football venues.
Would the lure of making more money through country football tempt local level footballers into taking prohibited substances?
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