Does Buddy delay equal disaster?

Kurt Tippett put off contract talks with the Crows last season. It didn't end well - unless you're a Sydney fan. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN fans are fearing the worst after Lance Franklin put contract talks on hold. History says they have plenty to worry about.

Franklin says he doesn't want contract talks to distract him from his footy this season.

If history tells us one thing, it's that his decision to suspend negotations won't stop speculation about Buddy's future.

Does it mean he's already decided to walk? There are plenty of recent examples that indicate the answer might be yes. But there is some hope for Hawthorn supporters.

Here are some other players who have put off contract talks in recent years - in their own words.

TOM SCULLY

"I'd love to end my career and say I was a one club player, and anticipate that will be the case."

- Scully, March 2011

"To ensure there are no distractions and that Tom can direct all his energies to the 2011 season, we recommended to him last August that we put contract talks on hold until the end of this season and advised the club accordingly."
- statement from Velocity Sports

"I'm absolutely delighted to be in Sydney here today .... No doubt money was a factor, but I saw an opportunity to be part of a brand new football club."
- Scully, September 2011 after signing a six-year deal with GWS

Melbourne training at AAMI park. Tom Scully faces the media before training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GARY ABLETT

"I just spoke to (Geelong CEO) Brian Cook today and we're going to put negotiations on hold until the end of the season to try and take some heat out of the whole situation. It gives him a chance to concentrate on playing, it takes a bit of heat off the club as well ... so they can get on with the job of playing and winning football matches."
- Ablett's manager Liam Pickering, June 2010

"This is all about the challenge of joining a new team and a new and unique opportunity to be part of something special in football."
- Ablett in September 1010 after signing with Gold Coast

Gary Ablett with Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna after announcing his move to the Suns. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun

BRENDON GODDARD

"As I've said all along, we've been in constant talks with the footy club and they are the discussions we're having at the minute and I think it's pretty clear what my intentions are. I've said all along I'm happy where I am."
- July 2012

"I know Brendan wants to stay at (the) St Kilda football club. He's very committed to wanting to be here, there's no doubt about that."
- St Kilda coach Scott Watters, August 2012 after the Saints tabled a "very strong" contract offer

"It (was) something that a lot of thought went into. I was actually on the golf course (at the time)You can do a lot of thinking and there was a process where we did our due diligence. That decision wasn't made until late in the piece, (it was) after the season when it was probably crunch time to make the decision."
- Goddard in November 2012, a month after joining Essendon as a free agent.

KURT TIPPETT

"He wants to focus solely on performing on-field to the best of his ability before considering his future later in the year, and to ensure that the matter does not became a distraction to him or anyone at the club in the lead-up to and during the finals."
- Adelaide football manager Phil Harper, August 2012

"Boys, this morning, I have told the club that I won't be renewing my contract for 2013 ... Have absolutely loved playing alongside you all. You are all friends for life! I'll be in touch. Love KT."
- Tippett's text message to teammates after walking out in October 2012

NATHAN BOCK

"I don't see any reason to leave, but I'll leave that to my managers to sort out."
- June 2010, after putting off talks until after the mid-season break

"There are different reasons, not all financial (but) it is a significant offer that was too hard to refuse. It sets me up for after footy."
- August 2010, after becoming the first out-of-contract player to sign with Gold Coast

Gold Coast signings Nathan Bock and Nathan Krakouer. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

CAMPBELL BROWN

"My three or four other contracts that I have signed have been done towards the end of the year, and I would expect nothing to change."
- May, 2010

"It was a tough decision, but when I was making the decision I thought it would be best for my football."
- September, 2010 after joining Gold Coast

But the contract sagas don't always end badly ...

TRAVIS CLOKE

"We've had enough of all the talking, we're going to play football."
- Collingwood president Eddie McGuire in July 2012 after talks with Cloke's management broke down.

"We always wanted him to stay there, but there was going to be an issue if he did not get the fifth year. It did get close towards the end there."
- manager Ralph Carr after Cloke signed a five-year deal to stay with the Pies

Travis Cloke celebrates his goal in the third quarter. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MATTHEW PAVLICH

"I'm really happy with where it (negotiations) is placed. We're happy with how it's progressing and so is the club. We'll get to a point some time later in the year."
- May 2010

"I'm really happy with the process and the outcome, I hope the Freo faithful are happy as well."
- Pavlich in September 2010 after signing a four-year deal with the Dockers

TRAVIS BOAK

"We have never put pressure on Travis for a decision. We've said we would like to know sooner rather than later and understood the difficulty of Travis' decision because of his family."
- Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde in July 2012 after contract talks stalled

"I'm so relieved to have got the deal done after what has at times been a challenging year for me personally and for the club."
- Boak after signing a two-year deal with Port in September 2012

Port Adelaide star Travis Boak meets young fan James Nussio after signing a new contract with the Power. Picture: Dean Martin Source: Herald Sun

... and some we won't know for about seven months.

LANCE FRANKLIN

"He said he didn't want the distraction of a contract and he has advised me talks are off until the end of the season. He doesn't want to entertain discussions and, whilst Hawthorn aren't happy, that's how it is, unfortunately."
- Franklin's manager Liam Pickering, February 2013

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Carrazzo firms as new Blues leader

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse with captaincy contenders Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson and Marc Murphy at D.O.C Delicatessen in Lygon St. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE three contenders for Carlton's captaincy will get a chance to lead the team during the NAB Cup before coach Mick Malthouse makes his decision next month.

The Blues face a tough call on who will succeed Chris Judd, with Andrew Carrazzo in front of Marc Murphy and Kade Simpson.

The decision is seen as critical at a club that according to both former coach Brett Ratten and Malthouse has a host of natural introverts.

The trio will be given their auditions after the Blues' round-robin NAB Cup opener against Greater Western Sydney and Sydney on February 24.

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan said yesterday it was exciting to have so many contenders for the position, while conceding Murphy and Carrazzo were likely to fight out the job.

He said once Malthouse made his decision, it would be ratified by the club board.

"Mick came to us and said, 'That's the way I would like to do it, with the three of them in the NAB Cup'," Kernahan said.

"He will make a call to us and the board will ratify it. Murphy and Carrazzo are probably the favourites, but it's exciting for all three of them.

"Carrazzo is the experienced leader and Murph is the up-and-comer. Juddy will be a hard act to follow and could have done it for as long as he wanted, but we have some really strong senior leadership." 

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

Carrazzo would be a departure from Judd -- the Brownlow medallist led by example and expected his teammates to follow -- and Kernahan praised the tagger's communication skills.

"'Carrots' is a real professional," Kernahan said.

"He has great support from his family (Carrazzo is the father of one-year-old triplets) and it will be interesting to see which one Mick picks. They are all great candidates."

The Blues take on Fremantle and then Adelaide in full-length games before a potential NAB Cup grand final or regional cup game in which the third contender would lead the side.

Carlton's first season under Malthouse will hit its stride from Wednesday's first practice match, with another intra-club game on February 15.

At this stage only Andrew McInnes (knee reconstruction) has been ruled out for Round 1, a far cry from Ratten's final season in which plenty of players entered the season after serious surgeries.

Ratten, sacked for Malthouse last year, said last year the club had psychologically tested its players and felt that many of them went into their shells too often.

Malthouse is known to share that view, which was also voiced towards the end of last season by club legend and former coach Robert Walls.

"One of the problems with Carlton's leadership group, if you want to extend that to your senior eight players who played last night, the majority of them are introverts," Walls said last year.

"(Chris) Judd is not a vocal player, but he does it (lead) by example."

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buddy suspends contract talks

HAWTHORN superstar Lance Franklin has told the club he will not discuss a new contract until the end of the season, sparking fears he may leave.

Franklin is a restricted free agent at the end of the year, meaning he can entertain offers from rival clubs.

The Hawks said yesterday they made a "very good offer" to Franklin -- understood to have been between $900,000 and $1 million a season for up to four years -- and were stunned when told this week all negotiations were off until the end of September.

The offer also included a healthy slice of the club's marketing allowance.

"Buddy has made it pretty clear he'd prefer to leave the discussions to the end of the 2013 season," Hawthorn's head of football Mark Evans said.

Franklin's manager Liam Pickering said last night: "Buddy has 12 months to go on his contract and he wants to concentrate on playing.

"He said he didn't want the distraction of a contract and he has advised me talks are off until the end of the season.

"He doesn't want to entertain discussions and, whilst Hawthorn aren't happy, that's how it is, unfortunately."

Hawthorn is unable to pay Franklin market value as skipper Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell are on massive contracts, and Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Grant Birchall, Brian Lake, Jordan Lewis and Brad Sewell are on sizeable deals.

Fremantle has been linked to Franklin, though the Dockers have not spoken to Pickering. Last year the Dockers offered Collingwood's Travis Cloke about $1.1 million for five years, but failed to land him. 

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

The expectation is Franklin, who is from Western Australia, would be offered more than Cloke.

The Hawks yesterday confirmed six months of discussions had hit a brick wall this week.

Evans admitted Franklin's decision had rocked the club and already there were fears the constant talk about Franklin's future would become a major distraction, as it did at Collingwood with Cloke.

"It is not an ideal situation because we'd prefer to close off the distraction for Buddy, for the club, for supporters, for Pickers, and have a free run at our 2013 campaign," Evans said.

"We've been having a number of discussions over the past 5 1/2 months, and we've put together what we think is a very good offer, and Pickers is on record as saying it is respectable.

"Obviously, we had a few things to sort out.

"We know our offer is a strong offer, but at the moment it's not that the offer hasn't been accepted or rejected, it's only the discussions have been put off until the end of the season."

Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.

The Hawks accept Franklin can explore free agency.

"He's a free agent at the end of 2013 and he's got every right to proceed with contract discussions as he wants to," Evans said.

Despite Franklin's decision to cease discussions, the Hawks said they would endeavour to keep contact.

"We need to make sure we have regular contact with Pickers and Buddy and, should the situation change, our door is open," Evans said.

Pickering also manages Gary Ablett, who left Geelong for Gold Coast after announcing at the start of 2010 that contract talks were on hold until the end of the year.

Greater Western Sydney's Tom Scully said the same, then left Melbourne.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

SuperCoach is back!

Shane Crawford channels his inner Liam Neeson when he discovers Gary Ablett is 'taken' and tries to organise a swap with one of his mates

Shane Crawford can't wait to get stuck into the new SuperCoach season. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

YOU can pick on my height.

You can pot the Hawks, make jokes about my teeth and bag my mother in law. Even my wife is fair game.

But if you beat me in SuperCoach, that's personal.

There's nothing like coming to work on Monday ready to brag about a SuperCoach win, or sending a text message when a mate's captain withdraws the night before our big match-up.

Goodbye tennis, goodbye cricket. SuperCoach is back and I'm so excited to be short-listing my squad for 2013.

Who will be this year's Dayne Zorko? Maybe Jack Viney from Melbourne, son of former champion Todd Viney and tough as nails.

Scroll down to see all the exciting new features of SuperCoach 2013 and Join the live chat with SuperCoach expert Al Paton from noon

Picking the next big thing is one of the keys to the game, and there will be plenty of time to change my mind before the season starts on March 22.

What I'm most excited about is the new option of being part of a SuperCoach draft.

You only have to register once and can play both games for free. How good is that?

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SQUAD NOW

I already have my eyes on chief football writer Mark Robinson's every move and can't wait until the Herald Sun experts sit down for an internal draft (I'm picking first because I'm organising the session. Gary Ablett, you're mine.)

In either game, research is the key to picking a successful team. Watch all the NAB Cup games and follow SuperFooty every day for all the latest. Jump on Twitter and Facebook for breaking news and tips and to pick the brains of all the other SuperCoaches out there (I'm at @SCrawf9).

What will Brendon Goddard's role be at the Bombers? Will Brian Lake make an instant impact at the Hawks?

Does Mick Malthouse have the key to unlocking the potential of the Blues, and Jarrad Waite?

COMING UP: To get your SuperCoach team right for 2013 stick with SuperFooty next week and all the way to Round 1 for club-by-club SuperCoach previews, SuperCoach DRAFT player guides, SuperCoach analysis of every NAB Cup and practice match, exclusive videos plus lots more!

Will a slow pre-season for Adam Goodes interrupt his year or will his brother Brett Goodes be a must for all sides as a cheap and classy defender at the Western Bulldogs?

Will Giants forward Jonathon Patton take the competition by storm after his first full AFL pre-season?

All I can say is get involved. It's the best fun you'll have off the footy field.

And make sure you prepare like all the AFL players do to start the year. Because I can assure you I've had the best SuperCoach pre-season ever. So if you have me in your sights this year, you better be ready. In 2013, it's personal.

Join the live chat with SuperCoach expert Al Paton from noon:

Using a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

WHAT'S NEW

New rules - 30 trades, rolling lockout means you won't be caught out by late team changes, smaller squads for bye rounds and a new team structure to better reflect the way the game is played

Relaunch leagues - Send league invites to your opponents from last year with the click of a button. You can even choose who to include and who to leave out.

Take on more mates - In addition to your five private leagues, you can challenge friends on Facebook and Twitter and create or join up to three unlimited size private groups

Intelligent auto-pick - Selecting a competitive squad is even easier. Choose your favourite players and let us fill in the rest.

Plus a refreshed look and feel and lots more - register or login now to explore the 2013 competition!

Join the debate on Facebook at facebook.com/supercoach

SUPERCOACH DRAFT

Take SuperCoach to a new level with a unique private league draft in which each player can only be selected once - if you pick Gary Ablett, none of your mates can have him.

Bargain with friends to complete trade deals between league opponents and make unlimited trades from the free agent pool.

Completely customisable - choose how your league works to suit you

Play alongside your SuperCoach CLASSIC team on the same login

Both games are completely FREE

Herald Sun super coach , Shane Crawford Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOUR EASY STEPS

1. Go to www.heraldsun.com.au/supercoach. The login page has more info on how to play and the exciting new 2013 features

2. Click register and fill in your details. Pick a team name and design your own unique guernsey

3. Join or create a private league to play against your friends and family

4. Start picking your squad of 30 AFL players who will score points for you every week

SUPERCOACH GOLD

SuperCoach GOLD helps you to better select and manage your team and make educated coaching decisions through the season. The collection of powerful tools and content provides projections for player scores and value, break-evens, analysis of player stats, player performance indicators, past stats and much more. Sign up now for a free trial.

WIN BIG

$50,000 to top-ranked coach at the end of the season plus $5000 for your local footy club

$1000 for the highest scoring team each round

$10,000 and a two-hour coaching clinic for Australia's top SuperCoach school

Sign up early to win $5000 F1 Adrenaline package including tickets for the winner and three mates to the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, VIP entertainment seats, V8 hot lap and helicopter fly-over

STAY IN THE GAME

Check superfooty.com.au every day for latest news and expert advice

Like SuperCoach on Facebook to join the debate. Go to facebook.com/supercoach
Follow @superfooty on twitter for breaking developments and inside tips. Go to twitter.com/superfooty

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SQUAD NOW

Herald Sun SuperCoach 2013 Minimal Terms and Conditions
Open to all Australian residents. Enter from 12:01AM AEDST on 01/02/13, ends at 11:59PM AEST on 01/09/13. Limit 1 entry per person. Entrants must access their home page at least every 30 days or may be disqualified. Overall and weekly winners determined by Vapormedia at Suite 107, 425 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008 at 10am (local time) on day after completion of each round (weekly winners) and on 02/09/13 (overall and other winners). Weekly Prizes: $1,000 cash. Overall prizes: Competition Major Prize $50,000 cash + $5,000 for local footy club, Website Prizes: up to $5,000 Website Prize for entrants entering via specific websites as set out in full conditions. School Group Prize (other than NSW and ACT schools): $10,000 cash & footy clinic. Weekly winners e-mailed and published online day after completion of each round and in The Australian on dates set out in full conditions, overall winners and other winners e-mailed and published online on 02/09/13 and in The Australian on 04/09/13. Promoter: The Herald and Weekly Times Pty Limited, 40 City Rd, Southbank VIC 3006. Entry and full conditions: www.heraldsun.com.au/supercoach. NSW Permit No. LTPS/13/00586 and ACT Permit No.TP 13/00230

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thomas 'a couple of months away'

Collingwood stars Dale Thomas, Heath Shaw, Dane Swan and Ben Johnson talk shop at training yesterday. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Collingwood star Dale Thomas remains in doubt after Nathan Buckley revealed he is two months away from full fitness. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley says he remains unsure if Dale Thomas will be fit for the start of the home-and-away season.

Thomas is still on a modified training load as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.

The Magpies face North Melbourne in their season opener on March 31.

"He is still a couple of months away,'' Buckley said.

"He will need to get some solid training in and get up to speed before he is ready to play some games of footy, whether that is late in the NAB (Cup) or early in the home-and-away (season) will depend on the speed of his recovery.

"He has had a modified pre-season and has got a lot of fitness work in, but not on legs. So we will have to judge that as we go.

"But clearly he is an important player for us.''

The off-contract Thomas said last week he had no desire to start talking about a new deal with the Magpies until he recovered from ankle surgery

But Thomas admitted he was wary of letting talks turn into the ``circus'' that engulfed teammate Travis Cloke's season last year.

Buckley said the club would deal with Thomas' contract when the time was right.

"We have got about 40 per cent of our list coming out of contract this year and we will deal with those guys appropriately at the right times,'' Buckley said.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Young Demon taken to hospital

Dean Terlich has been hospitalised after a training mishap. Picture: Regi Varghese Source: adelaidenow

MELBOURNE draftee Dean Terlich has been taken to hospital after an ugly collision at training today.

Terlich was training with teammates at Moorabbin Oval earlier today when he suffered a knock to the head and neck region.

An ambulance was called to take him to hospital, where he is currently undergoing precautionary tests.

A forward-turned-defender, Terlich was drafted by Melbourne with pick 68 in the 2012 National Draft.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Drug tests on demand

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert speak after today's AFL drugs summit. Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL could approve a bold plan to allow clubs to fund the target-testing of players they believe are abusing drugs.

The league united to tackle illicit drugs at yesterday's summit with that proposal one of several to be considered by a new working party.

Among certain changes to the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy will be the closure of a loophole that allows players to self-report and escape a strike at will, and an increase in off-season hair testing - both recently flagged by the Herald Sun.

The proposal to allow clubs to target-test players they suspect of using drugs will create most debate.

Depressed, on drugs... dumped

AFL clubs are banned from conducting their own testing after then Carlton present Ian Collins controversially drug-tested players Karl Norman and Laurie Angwin in 2004.

Yesterday AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou confirmed clubs might be able to pay the league's drug testers to do that exact task.

Club sources said the AFL might also provide clubs with details of their players' drug use each year.

No names would be revealed, but a club may find out the number of players who had positive strikes, how many strikes they were on, which drugs they had used, and how many had self-reported.

Drink the link to worse behaviours

The historic summit was hailed a success by clubs, the AFL, medical experts and players, but a battle will be fought over the information flow to clubs when players test positive a second time.

Hawthorn led the charge of clubs keen to be alerted after a second strike, but that issue will be thrashed out by the working party with AFL chief executives Stuart Fox (Hawthorn), Gary Pert (Collingwood), Travis Auld (Gold Coast) and Ian Robson (Essendon).

Either the chief executive or welfare officer of a club may eventually find out about a second strike, but clubs would have to commit to extensive privacy provisions. 

Collingwood's Luke Ball and Bulldog Robert Murphy leave today's AFL drugs summit. Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun

Fox said it was imperative clubs knew earlier than under the current policy.

"Hawthorn has lived through the three-strikes system with Travis Tuck and we are quite passionate about someone at the club knowing after the second strike," he told the Herald Sun.

"Clubs are much better placed and more sophisticated, so they can deal with that knowledge."

The self-reporting loophole will almost certainly see players allowed to confess to drug use - sparing a positive strike - only once a season.

Some chief executives pushed for the practice to be banned if a player was on two strikes, or even have the self-reporting seen as a third strike.

Draft drug probes

The loophole will be changed after it goes to the AFL Commission and is approved by AFL Players' Association delegates.

AFL clubs were not given specific details on the flagged rise in illicit positives - likely to be released late next month - but were told of a 21 per cent rise in drugs across the community.

Pies boss Pert said of the playing age group: "Taking drugs is a part of their lives. We are very concerned. Every CEO is concerned about what happens now, and what happens in the future."

Collingwood takes hard line on drugs

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Goddard would have led Saints

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard in his new colours. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

NICK Riewoldt would have handed the St Kilda captaincy to Brendon Goddard if he had not quit the club to join Essendon.

Nick Riewoldt was yesterday appointed St Kilda skipper for the eighth season.

However, he revealed today he had been happy to hand over the captaincy, but the prime candidate left to join the Bombers as a free agent.

"I thought if BJ (Goddard) was still at the club it would have been him this year, and I was more than happy for that to occur - and for anyone else to step into the role," Riewoldt said.

Riewoldt hinted at an issue facing the club in trying to find the next generation of leaders.

The Saints have a large group of veterans aged 29 and over and a crop of emerging youngsters, but few experienced players in between.

The issue was acknowledged with the inclusion of Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, David Armitage, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary in the leadership group, with a group of elder statesmen nominated to mentor an "emerging leaders" group.

"The club went for a bit of a change in the leadership group with three younger guys stepping into the group and they just wanted some stability at the top," Riewoldt said.

"It's now our job as the senior guys - myself, Lenny, Milney, Blakey, all those guys - to make sure we promote some of the younger guys so sooner rather than later someone else can step into the role."

Summer Barometer: See how the Saints are shaping up

Asked on SEN if he had tried to talk Goddard out of leaving, Riewoldt said: "Absolutely, definitely.

"He's one of my great mates, was one of the groomsmen at my wedding, and nothing will change there as far as our friendship goes (but) I certainly wanted him to stay a St Kilda player.

"But at the end of the day it's his decision and I respect the decision he's made."

 

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

SBS hands Marngrook a lifeline

Former North Melbourne great Wayne Carey signs on with The Marngrook Footy Show. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis, Source: Herald Sun

WAYNE Carey will join The Marngrook Footy Show as a regular panellist when it returns to television on SBS after being axed by the ABC last year.

The indigenous football show with a cult following will air on Thursdays during the home-and-away season.

Former Brisbane Lions premiership player Chris Johnson, Robbie Burns and Gilbert McAdam return to the program alongside reporters Leila Gurruwiwi and Shelley Ware.

The Marngrook Footy Show started as a radio program in 1997 before moving to National Indigenous Television (NITV) in 2007.

Marngrook's dumping last year sparked a social media frenzy with fans of the show calling for rival networks to revive the program.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More

Loophole 'will be closed': Demetriou

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says players who rort the system will be caught. Source: Herald Sun

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has warned players the loophole allowing them to self-report to avoid a strike under its drug policy will be closed.

The Herald Sun today reported that clubs believe some players have activated the self-reporting loophole when alerted to the presence of a tester.

The Illicit Drugs Policy states: "A player may refer himself to the AFL Medical Officer for testing, education, counselling or treatment at any time. A player shall not be deemed to have recorded a positive test if he refers himself for such treatment prior to submitting a sample that subsequently returns a positive result."

A number of high-ranking club officials yesterday said they had been told players who become aware of a possible imminent test could immediately call AFL medicos to confess recent drug use.

Demetriou said on 3AW this morning he was unaware of how many players had self-reported.

"It is not being abused to the extent that has been reported," he said.

"It is a system that has benefit.

"There is probably a loophole there that I'm sure will be discussed today and closed.

"It is a very useful part of the policy and if it is being abused, we have to correct that."

Demetriou baulked at the suggestion that abuse of the self-report system was widespread.

"Not to my knowledge based on the briefings I have had from our medical officers," he said.

"If there is any player out there who believes they can exploit the the self-help notification, they won't be able to.

"If our medical officers believe a player is rorting the system, I don't believe they will allow it."

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou. Source: Herald Sun

The AFL supremo admitted he agreed with Collingwood president Eddie McGuire in the Herald Sun when he says some players hold the drugs code in contempt.

"There are some players who think they are above the rules and regulations of the code," he said.

"If they do that, they do it at their peril.

"There is no place for them in the game."

The AFLPA said under the letter of the law players should not be able to self-report if the aim is to avoid an imminent positive test.

Mark Robinson: AFL must tackle drug issue head-on

The player union said if drug testers were aware of that motive, a test would be conducted and a strike recorded if a positive result was found.

One club is believed to have had 10 incidences of six players self-reporting in 2012, with one putting his hand up three times in that period.

Eddie McGuire: Clubs kept in dark on drugs

Critics argue those figures show players are taking advantage of the three-strikes system.

Sources say players especially those fearing they have drugs in their system are increasingly aware of the presence of drug testers which can lead to self-reporting.

Jon Ralph: How players dodge drug strikes

Former West Coast and Richmond star Ben Cousins is known to have dodged drug tests after being alerted to the presence of testers by players already at the club.

Players who self-report are target-tested in future months, but for a player on two strikes future testing is clearly a risk worth taking.

AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said the policy had only recently been abused by players.

"In that very example, the player would have to do that drug test and he would be bound by any result that came from that but the policy has contained a provision which is there for a player who has used drugs, has an issue with drugs, to be able to put his hand up and seek help," he told SEN.

Crash course: The AFL's illicit drugs policy

"That's because the nature of the policy is helping people to make change when they have made a mistake. If a player notifies, he then is able to get that assistance, be diverted into relevant programs and had he returned a subsequent policy he wouldn't be burdened with that on the basis that he's put his hand up to seek help."

One official said the policy was routinely abused.

"It can be an excuse as lame as 'my drink was spiked last night and I may have inadvertently taken drugs'," one club executive said.

"It means a player holds a Joker if he is on two strikes, a get-out-of-jail free card."

"Most players have reached a stage where they don't particularly care about one strike with some even prepared to roll the dice when on two strikes."

Confessed drug addict Cousins said he was often tipped off by teammates about the appearance of drug testers and simply failed to attend training to avoid positive tests.

The controversial three strikes policy will also be on the agenda at today's drug summit.

But Demetriou this morning reiterated his support for the policy.

12.58 | 0 komentar | Read More