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McGuire points finger at AFL

Sportal January 29, 2013, 9:54 am

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has accused the AFL of leaking a report that at least four Magpies players voluntarily admitted to using illicit drugs in 2012.

The Herald Sun said on Tuesday the unnamed players had notified AFL medical staff of their drug use late last season.

As a result, the players did not have a strike marked against their name under a controversial clause in the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy.

McGuire questioned the timing of the report ahead of Wednesday's historic summit on drug use in the AFL.

"I'll tell you what I'm really filthy about is that this story could have only come from one place - it could have only come from the AFL," McGuire told Triple M.

"They're the ones that have got the information.

"It strikes me as a bit odd that the day before we have a drug summit that has probably brought the heat on a whole lot of the issues involved here that have been fostered by the Collingwood Football Club, that suddenly it becomes a Collingwood issue.

"It ain't a Collingwood issue and we don't care because you know what? We're actually taking this on head on; we're saying there's a problem.

"I said it in 1998, I said in 2005 and I'll say it today on Tuesday, January 29, that there is a big issue in our community and we have taken great steps in football, but now we have to review those steps."

Under the AFL policy, clubs are only informed when a player tests positive to using illicit drugs on three occasions.

The player is also subject to a $5000 dollar fine and a suspension of up to 18 matches.

However, if a player reports to using drugs, whether deliberately or inadvertently, they are exempt from having a strike recorded against their name.

McGuire called on the AFL Players' Association to give the clubs a greater share of responsibility when dealing with players who had registered strikes.

"They've actually got to start thinking about the players' welfare, not get them off the hook all the time," he said.

"I don't know if the Players' Association is actually working for the players, or working for the managers these days, but what they need to do is give an opportunity for clubs to be able to look after their own."

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19 Comments

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HUGE ACKMAN02:31pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 ESTReport Abuse
@DARRYL in what part of my comment did I condone drug taking?? If you read it I actually said I do not condone it but sadly it is a part of life. And yes I have seen people destroy themselves with drugs and Booze, my brother drank himself to death 10 years ago and i have some old friends that have fried their brains experimenting with drugs. I also said that it should be up to the clubs and the players families to deal with the problem. And in n o way did I say anything negative about Eddie. I think he is right on the mark actually.
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Darryl01:51pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 ESTReport Abuse
Every player found to be taking Drugs should be given the same treatment as was dished out to Ben Cousins ie sack them and make it quite clear that Drugs will not be tolerated in the game. Currently we have a situation here in Perth where one player has been demonised while another player from the same team is given a heroes game each year...........Why, when both players were on drugs, one died and the other lived. SAD, but very true.
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Darryl01:48pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 ESTReport Abuse
Huge Ackman, you are obviously NOT against theswe people playing while under the influence of Drugs. Have you actually witnessed the demise of a person as they move from Pot to various other Drugs?? Perhaps you need to watch one of your loved ones slowly destroying him/herself. Eddie is a decent guy and has alot of sincerity where his club is concerned. The only part of all this issue that needs to be looked at is the punishment for using. cont'....
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HUGE ACKMAN12:14pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 ESTReport Abuse
The reason the AFL is keeping everyone in the dark is because if they let it out there would only be half the players left. This problem is not new it has been around for years and years. Can anyone remember how big a certain blonde curly locked Hawthorn player was back in the eighties? Tell me he wasn't pumping the roids. Drugs are a part of life ingrained into society. I am not saying it is good it's just too late to stop it now. Clubs and the players families are the ones that should be dealing with it. The AFL won't do anything because it would effect their bottom line too much and taint the brand.
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Col11:40am Wednesday 30th January 2013 ESTReport Abuse
Eddie please listen, you are Collingwood president and not, repeat not, Andrew Demetriou. Please shut up (just for once) and listen to the "AFL President" .... you never know you may feel better!!! .... but I doubt it!!!
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