AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has hit back over a claim that two unidentified players had admitted taking the drug ice, saying allegations are easy.
McLachlan also defended the character of AFL players.
Earlier this week, Fox Sports rugby league host Yvonne Sampson said she had seen the two players taking the illicit drug in the off-season.
“They said that’s okay – it’s off season,” she said.
“It’s almost like they earned the right to let their hair down and party because it wasn’t during the season; they weren’t in a club environment; they were out doing their own thing.”
Sampson did not name the players or their clubs.
Her comments were made as the NRL reeled from a succession of drugs scandals.
“I’ve been told of the allegations. I obviously can’t comment, other than to say our players aren’t perfect, but they’re good men,” McLachlan said.
“We have great confidence in our drug policy.
“Allegations are easy.”
The AFL has an illicit drugs code, separate to the standard WADA anti-doping policy.
Rasty
Guest
No.
rusty
Roar Rookie
Does anyone else get the impression Mclachlan has been chosen to lead the afl because of his ability to be the perfect embodiment of political correctness?
mattyb
Guest
Kane,while I disagree with your thoughts on role models I certainly agree with your concerns regarding condoning. This is certainly an illegal issue and needs to be treated as such. How much people drink is certainly irrelevant to this discussion.
Kane
Guest
I reckon u'll find ice would affect u for more than just a few hours.
Kane
Guest
So what ur saying is smoking a bit of ice or snorting a bit of coke or shooting up a bit of heroin on the weekend won't affect u come Monday at work? Having a few beers on the weekend is out of ur system in a few hrs not days.
Kane
Guest
Yes i would know because if they were under the influence of drugs then they wouldn't be at work.
northerner
Guest
Well, doesn't that tell you something? The drug that causes the most problems is legal, the ones that cause fewer problems are illegal. Maybe, just maybe, we're addressing the wrong problem. The real issue isn't whether you drink or consume drugs, it's whether you perform safely in the workplace and on the road, etc. So instead of banning all drugs, why not legalize them, establish legal limits, and test for their presence when it matters - when the safety of others is at risk. If you smoke a bit of pot on the weekend, you're not a danger to anyone unless you get behind the wheel of a car. Same as with booze. So why not treat them the same way?
northerner
Guest
Actually, you wouldn't. You'd only know that if they were tested on the job site.
Kane
Guest
Exactly
Slane
Guest
You know it's possible to use drugs (including alcohol) outside of work hours and be sober while at work, right?
Kane
Guest
It wouldn't worry me one iota, I'd welcome it. At least this way I'd know if my fellow workers would be safe to work with.
Mat
Guest
Typical AFL answer from McLachlan. Its all about the cover up and not the facts.
Kane
Guest
Maybe not, but one is illegal and one isn't.
northerner
Guest
It's not nearly a big a problem as alcohol is.
northerner
Guest
Does your employer drug test you when you're on your summer holidays or having a neighborhood barbecue on the weekend? You're still employed, but I doubt you'd agree to have your boss barge in and force you to give a sample in the middle of your week in Bali.
Kane
Guest
A fair bit of condoning of drug use going on here. No wonder it's a problem un society
Kane
Guest
They will if their employee gets caught with it in their system if they cause an accident or death at work.
Kane
Guest
There's no doubt the media don't help the problem when in fact they could help the problem but unfortunately catching people out sells papers. Whether people like it or not, these players are role models and they know this when they sign up for it.
Kane
Guest
They're stilled employed during the off season tho. If you get caught with drug's in your system, then you should be kicked out of the game. We all get a choice whether we want to take them or not, no one is forcing the individual to take them. The culture will soon change when people start getting booted out. She said she seen player's smoking it and I'm not sure what places you venture to but where i go I've never seen people smoking that stuff.
northerner
Guest
If you go out to a restaurant, a pub, a rock concert, a beach party, you're potentially in a place where people are doing illicit drugs. That's the environment we live in. As for the drugs policy, ASADA is one thing, and clear cut. Athletes can be tested anytime, anywhere, under the WADA code. But recreational drugs off season? Harder to police, and harder to justify policing it, since it's not got anything to do with performance or the workplace.