AFLPA looks at drug-code loophole

AFL public relations manager Ian Prendergast. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL Players Association is prepared to give ground on the self-reporting loophole a number of AFL players are using to escape drug strikes.

AFLPA general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast confirmed the association would consider "minor changes'' to the AFL policy ahead of Wednesday's drugs summit.

One aspect of the drugs code certain to be discussed will be the recent spike in AFL players self-reporting the use of drugs to AFL medical directors Peter Harcourt and Harry Unglik.

By self-reporting, players avoid registering a positive drugs test and a strike against their name.

"There has been some discussions about the opportunity for players to self-report and we have had some talks with the AFL medical directors,'' Prendergast said.

"We don't think it is being exploited yet, but perhaps there are some emerging trends that we can deal with quite simply. I would imagine that (self-reporting) will be a small part of a broader discussion.''

The Herald Sun revealed last month some AFL players were avoiding positive drug strikes under the league's three-strikes illicit drugs policy by self-reporting their use of drugs.

Clubs have become increasingly concerned that a small number of players are using this as a deliberate ploy to avoid getting a drugs strike.

Prendergast said a delicate balance had to be maintained in the AFL drug code between the players' health interests and those deliberately and recklessly breaking the rules.

"We are certainly in on-going conversations with the medical operators, who administer the policy,'' Prendergast said.

"We have spoken to them about some minor changes  which we think can address some of the issues that are arguably emerging which allow the policy to maintain that balance in terms of operating as a medical model in the best interests of the players from a health point of view but also as a deterrent to those players who perhaps choose to run the gauntlet.''

Prendergast would not respond to AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou's claim that there would be a "spike'' in positive drug tests when the results of the 2012 season are released.

"I think confidentiality is the key pillar (of the drugs policy),'' he said. "We will have a presence (at the summit). It is a great opportunity to provide our views on what is obviously a huge issue not only for the AFL but for the community.''

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