AFL, Players Association back drug policy
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Players Association members unanimously voted in favour of adopting the changes. (936 ABC Hobart: Carol Raabus)
AFL officials have defended the League's decision to stick with the controversial three-strikes drug testing policy.
The League yesterday revealed changes to the policy, including hair follicle testing out of season, and a maximum 18-match ban for a third strike up from 12 matches.
It also released drug testing figures which showed 14 positive drug tests with three players testing positive to drugs twice.
The AFL's operations manager Adrian Anderson says it is important to judge the policy by percentages.
"There are a greater number in total, but the rate and percentage of players testing positive because of our increased testing continues to decline, and it gives us great encouragement, and our medical officers great encouragement that this policy is working and making a difference," he said.
The AFL Players Association says the right decision has been made in retaining the three-strike policy with 1,500 tests to be conducted in the next year.
Association president Joel Bowden says members unanimously voted in favour of adopting the changes.
"We think it's a huge step for us, and we put our hand up and we volunteer to say yes we are the most regulated and tested body in Australia, probably in the world, but we do that, because we know that illicit drugs are harmful," he said.
Adelaide player Brett Burton says the hair tests will be able to detect drug use within the previous three months and will be after the off-season.
"It's very encouraging for us from our point of view to go down that track... not to name and shame people or punish people, it's based on looking after our fellow players and looking after our welfare and we see that as a high-risk period," he added.
