Drugs in the AFL

[Coach Bombay]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

Libba from the bulldogs caught with drugs on King Street....

[ORDoubleBlues]

I assume that the confidentiality of the drug situation is only if you are caught out in testing as opposed to how young Tom has been caught out in possession, in a public place by police

[Media Park]

Tony must be proud.

[overloaded]

WGAF?

[heater31]

Only problem is this is only one of very few incidents we hear about.

Ben Cousins and Travis Tuck are the others that immediately spring to mind.

How many are they that we have no idea about?

[Media Park]

Lawrence Angwin says hi.

[CUTTERMAN]

The whole AFL drug testing programme is designed to find out who is taking drugs and how often, their 3 strikes policy (which is renewed every five years or so) is designed so that the probability that players involved will be caught three times is very slim and therefore un able to be made public. The AFL know who and how often but the media and public don't, image of the AFL remains clean....nothing to see here folks, move along!
This means that a player that has only tested positive twice within a five year period (?), can keep playing and test positive twice in the next five years and nothing will happen! Who's to say that the AFL knowing that a star player has tested positive twice choose to start aiming their tests elswhere, then focus back on the player once they're in their next 5 year period.
If they were serious about drug testing and outing these players they would have a flat 3 strikes and you're out policy full stop. My suspicions are that through their testing the AFL know just how bad the issue is and desperately want to keep it in house. Thus the 5 year testing period.

[Squids]

Correct me if i am wrong, but once you get busted you can go into some rehab program and you are excluded from further testing. So basically unless you decline the rehab its basically impossible to get the 3rd strike. I don't think the clubs know until you get that 2nd strike either.

When you think about it, if Buddy or Pendlebury got busted 3 times, do you really think they would be booted?...............I don't.

[CUTTERMAN]

Correct me if i am wrong, but once you get busted you can go into some rehab program and you are excluded from further testing. So basically unless you decline the rehab its basically impossible to get the 3rd strike. I don't think the clubs know until you get that 2nd strike either.

When you think about it, if Buddy or Pendlebury got busted 3 times, do you really think they would be booted?...............I don't.

Squibber, I'm not sure about the re-hab stuff but wouldn't be surprised, as for the clubs knowing, you're right, they're informed after the second positive test by the club doctor. After the third the public knows.
As for star players, ehemm, I think the precedent has pretty well been set however I think that the AFL would pick out a sacrificial lamb when they can.

[dedja]

Laurence Angwin says hello ...

[Q.]

Shouldn't even be testing for non-PEDs. And they wouldn't if it weren't for pressure from the Government.

[smac]

And when government funding is used for ongoing programs then the testing regime can be negotiated.

[westozfalcon]

So has Liberatore actually gone to court and pleaded guilty yet?

I would have thought the club would hold off administering any fine or suspension until that happens otherwise it could be prejudicial to his court appearance if he wanted to contest the charge.

[heater31]

So has Liberatore actually gone to court and pleaded guilty yet?

I would have thought the club would hold off administering any fine or suspension until that happens otherwise it could be prejudicial to his court appearance if he wanted to contest the charge.

Well they could argue that the suspension and fine has nothing to do with drugs. From the club's point of view he has been suspended for intoxication and being spoken to by the police bringing the club into disrepute...

[Johno6]

I thought they said he was drug tested and it came back positive

[CUTTERMAN]

Police laid no charges was what I heard

[HH3]

Pretty sure there were no charges laid by the police. He was cautioned. But since its public knowledge he was unconcious from alcohol and in possession of drugs, the club had to make a public stand.

[Lightning McQueen]

Apparently he was catching up with some Cousins.

[stan]

Apparently he was catching up with some Cousins.

Buddy was supposed to drive him home.

[Footy Smart]

I like the way the Bulldogs have handled this. The pentalies in place will emphasis the life he could have to lead if he makes another f*ck up. Working full time in a meaninginful job, not training with his AFL team mates and suspension long enough to prove a point. He now has 6 months to think about how lucky he is to have the opportunity to play AFL.