‘We’re all really surprised’: Voss joins chorus of disappointment of drugs policy as AFLPA defends process

Solely an “extremely small quantity” of AFL gamers have been protected by secret drug exams prior to now decade, the pinnacle of the AFL Gamers Affiliation (AFLPA) says.

AFLPA chief govt Paul Marsh stated hypothesis printed in a Herald Solar article that 100 gamers have been granted some immunity by membership docs over drug check outcomes is guesswork.

Marsh pressured solely the AFL would know the true figures however in his expertise the variety of gamers concerned in such instances was small.

“It feels just like the commentary round that is that it is occurring each week,” Marsh stated.

“In my time with the AFLPA, there could be lower than a handful of those examples.

“And what would occur right here, usually, is the membership … would come to us and say, ‘Is it OK for us to do a check of this participant as a result of we’re involved about him turning up (optimistic) on sport day?’

“And our view is, they’re taking care of the wellbeing of the participant. That is sensible.

“I could not definitively say that occurs whenever but it surely definitely has.

“I have been doing this job for almost 10 years and there could be lower than a handful of gamers that this has been an instance for.

“(An) extremely small quantity.

“Nowhere close to the extent as maybe … this story is suggesting.”

AFL chief govt Andrew Dillon stated on Wednesday the league was “unapologetic” about giving membership docs powers to withdraw gamers from video games in the event that they have been in peril of testing optimistic on match day.

Sport Integrity Australia is investigating the claims about secretive illicit drug exams, which have been initially raised beneath parliamentary privilege by federal MP Andrew Wilkie.

Underneath the testing regime, docs usually are not compelled to tell their membership’s hierarchy of any optimistic check for illicit medication.

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Marsh stated confidentiality was wanted to guard gamers from backlash from golf equipment which have threatened to make use of such data in contract talks.

“We don’t discourage the gamers from discussing this with their coaches, their CEOs, their presidents in the event that they need to,” he stated.

“The gamers worry is that it will likely be used towards them in contracting or no matter … and golf equipment are freely admitting that they might.”

After Dillon’s press convention, the AFLPA launched an announcement supporting the AFL’s stance.

“The AFL Gamers’ Affiliation helps the AFL’s place on this challenge and reiterates that the Illicit Medication Coverage (IDP) is entered into voluntarily by the gamers on the idea it’s a medical mannequin and is targeted on figuring out, educating, and rehabilitating,” it learn.

“What is usually misunderstood on this matter is that the IDP is separate from the AFL Anti-Doping Code, which is overseen by the World Anti-Doping Company (WADA) and focuses on figuring out and sanctioning any athletes who could also be taking performance-enhancing substances.”

Carlton coach Michael Voss stated he was “upset” on the approach the coverage was being dealt with.

“Clearly you will have club-land commentary after which you will have industry-wide and the way we have perceived that,” Voss informed reporters on Thursday.

“I sit properly and actually in the identical basket: we’re all actually stunned and considerably upset with the place it presently lies.

“Now it is as much as the AFL and the AFLPA to assessment what that appears like and what the very best steps are shifting ahead for us … it has been slightly stunning the way it’s all unfolded.”

Voss stated he had by no means thought of that some gamers may have used the so-called medical mannequin to faux an harm so that they could not play and subjected to a doable SIA check on sport day.

“When it comes to any doubt on participant availability, I’ve by no means had that,” he stated.

Voss joined a rising listing of annoyed gamers and coaches, together with three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse.

“It is fairly damning, it is such a shock. I can not consider how offended I’ve obtained simply listening to the information,” Malthouse stated on Wednesday morning after listening to Wilkie’s claims.

“We’ve an obligation for the gamers’ well being, to start out; now we have an obligation to the sport, need a truthful, sincere sport, we would like gamers who run down the race to play good soccer with out compromise.

“That is nearly on the identical stage because the Essendon saga — in truth, it’d even transcend that. That is suggesting that AFL officers are concerned on this.

“It’s simply so damning… it may place each participant, each membership official, and particularly membership docs now beneath scrutiny.

“I can not describe how offended I’m about this … I have been in soccer for 50 years, and also you assume how can this probably be?”

AAP/ABC