Melbourne Watch 2023/24

[jeemak]

Also I know there is addiction but why would a professional athlete continue using cocaine if it made his performances worse? He is risking his career.

What the AFL could do is anonymously outline some circumstances where this "loophole" (that isn't a loophole) has actually been exploited. I'd be surprised if it was a long list of examples.

Casual usage earlier in the week after the in game period probably happens a lot, but I'd guess the usage would then drop back sharply with only a handful of players still tucking into it once the week's started.

The amount of players dealing with a genuine dependency or addiction would be very small (again, at a guess).

Where would cocaine really impact a player? Think things like attention to detail around diet and hydration, recovery and getting enough sleep. Players are probably still getting to all the sessions and doing the minimum requirements, and mostly wouldn't notice a huge difference if usage was sporadic.

[JanLorMill]

What the AFL could do is anonymously outline some circumstances where this "loophole" (that isn't a loophole) has actually been exploited. I'd be surprised if it was a long list of examples.

Casual usage earlier in the week after the in game period probably happens a lot, but I'd guess the usage would then drop back sharply with only a handful of players still tucking into it once the week's started.

The amount of players dealing with a genuine dependency or addiction would be very small (again, at a guess).

Where would cocaine really impact a player? Think things like attention to detail around diet and hydration, recovery and getting enough sleep. Players are probably still getting to all the sessions and doing the minimum requirements, and mostly wouldn't notice a huge difference if usage was sporadic.

Well many players in the past would have binged on alcohol or even food. That is definitely isn’t performance enhancing and not illegal.

[jeemak]

Well many players in the past would have binged on alcohol or even food. That is definitely isn’t performance enhancing and not illegal.

The bit around alcohol is interesting. Most people would have illegally consumed it underage, in many instances sanctioned or encouraged by their parents/ family members.

We know the harms to society of alcohol far outweigh those of illicit drugs, but for some reason we don't moralise the indoctrination of its consumption into underage people.

Let's not get started on sugar and processed foods and the harms these things combined cause society. That'll take the thread right off track.