Drugs

Self-reporting on drugs saved lives: AFL boss

Jon Pierik and Michael Gleeson Players Association president Luke Ball insists voluntary illicit-drugs policy has helped players.

AFL

Players fend off rants over drugs

Tim Lane The three-strikes policy upsets many despite the fact that the players gave up a lot in agreeing to it.

AFL

Keep faith: Demetriou

Justin Chadwick, Perth After a controversial year, AFL chief executive says league is keen to win back trust of any disillusioned fans.

Doctor lauds stricter policing of foreign treatments

Samantha Lane Hugh Seward admits it has historically been 'assumed' - but not always reliably verified - that footballers who have travelled overseas to treat injuries had not breached anti-doping rules.

Hird injected drugs

Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker Essendon coach James Hird has been accused of injecting a WADA-blacklisted drug in a program where his players were given another substance anti-doping regulators now say should be banned.

Smorgasbord of drugs on offer - legal and otherwise

Jake Niall Last year, long before the Essendon scandal had surfaced, officials from a rival club met a man with the means and knowledge to organise for them to receive a range of performance-enhancing...

AFL

Texts are latest twist in Essendon drugs crisis

Alleged text messages strongly suggest Essendon coach James Hird received considerable detail about the AFL club's controversial supplements program.

AFL

Demetriou warns on drugs

Jake Niall AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is directly warning players of the dangers of dabbling in drugs that are not approved for human use, in addition to the established bogies of performance-enhancing, illicit...

Drugs long an issue, says Parkin

Jon Pierik Veteran coach reveals he sacked staff over fears they were giving players illegal substances.

Finnis baulks at jail for drugs

Jon Pierik AFL Players Association chief executive Matt Finnis says a proposal to enforce criminal sanctions on athletes who fail to comply with new powers for anti-doping investigators 'leaves a lot to be...

AFL

I have never used drugs, vows Swan

Matt Murnane Dane Swan uses Footy Show interview to clear up rumours he had enjoyed a 'wild' off-season.

Police warned clubs of drugs

Jake Niall and Michael Gleeson AFL clubs were told about increasing prevalence of peptides and human growth hormone-like substances by federal police prior to Essendon controversy that led club to be investigated.

AFL

McVeigh blasts drugs claims

Jon Pierik As the fallout over the drugs scandal continues, the Essendon family began to turn on itself, with two former players at loggerheads and a club champion questioning whether the Bombers had conducted...

AFL

Kennett advocates zero-tolerance on drugs

Former AFL club president and Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has called for an immediate ban on the promotion of sports betting and a zero-tolerance policy on drugs in the AFL.

Seven clubs vulnerable on drugs

Caroline Wilson At least seven AFL clubs were named in a confidential briefing to competition chiefs by the Australian Crime Commission as having illicit drug problems.

AFL

Drugs expert doubts AFL passport claims

Samantha Lane Expert says it will take more time and money before the AFL could build a system comparable to cycling's.

AFL

Keep drugs on agenda: Pert

Jon Pierik Collingwood chief executive says illicit drugs debate must become an annual agenda item.

Football

Education on drugs is key: Petrie

Jon Pierik Drew Petrie says players must not be victimised if there is change to the illicit drugs policy.

AFL's illicit drugs policy needs an overhaul, says McGuire

Adam Cooper Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has called for the AFL's illicit drugs policy to be overhauled, claiming the system can no longer deal effectively with the drug problem.