St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt has poured fuel on the AFL illicit drug debate, calling for a zero-tolerance approach to fix a situation he has labelled “out of control”.
The AFL has confirmed it is reviewing its illicit drug code amid concerns some players have used mental health issues as an excuse to avoid sanction.
Under the policy, players who receive a second strike for illicit drug use are publicly named and serve a four-match suspension.
No player has been suspended since the policy – which has been voluntarily agreed to by the players and is aimed more at harm minimisation than punishment – changed from three strikes to two just over three years ago.
There are concerns that some players have been able to use the mental health provisions of the policy to avoid testing or sanction.
Riewoldt suggested the AFL remove the “safety net” if they want to bring the number of offenders closer to zero, saying a four-week suspension would be the least of players’ worries if they were legitimately battling substance abuse.
“It’s out of control now because the players can [get away with it], that’s the way the policy is set up,” Riewoldt told SEN radio.
“The AFL, by their own admission on their own website, what the policy aims to do is to identify AFL players who have substance abuse issues and place the necessary support around them to protect their health and wellbeing.
“I would say it’s out of control. If your utopia is zero, you’re a long way from zero.”
Former player Wayne Schwass, a prominent mental health spokesman in the game, last week said he had concerns that some players have used mental health issues as an excuse to avoid sanction under the illicit drugs code.
Prominent club presidents Jeff Kennett and Peter Gordon have been critical of the lack of information given to clubs about positive tests.
The current policy expires next year and the league last week said it was working with the players association to ensure the code’s objectives, including player welfare and accountability, are met.
“The ongoing review will include consultation with clubs, players and medical professionals,” an AFL spokesman said.