Melbourne Watch 2023/24

[Vred]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

Interesting it referenced players being traded into Melbourne with existing cocaine dependencies.

Massive news if true - also makes it even more odd players actually get caught, like why didn’t Smith do a secret test and fake an injury?

Smith got leaked, on camera, by bystanders. He couldn?t hide it.

I can say with 250% confidence that we got rid of Lachie Hunter for this very reason. Don?t be surprised if we are dragged into this shit storm.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

I have read this article twice. I'm still shaking my head. Unbelivable. Massive cover up. We need anwsers.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

Agree.

If true how will AFL hide it/brush under carpet or who will be sole AFL fall guy who never said anything about it to anyone else in AFL?

Their strategy to combat will be interesting.

Deny deny deny i'd say will be the first lever, or disgruntled parties are making the claims (which may well be right).
ABC etc haven't run with it to this point.

[Testekill]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

It's probably endemic around the league but the Demons have also clearly been having problems with illicit substances. They're not Eagles mid 2000's but there has been a rot since the start of the decade that has been allowed to grow because they have been performing.

[EasternWest]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

I think we should hold our fire on any outrageous comments. We're likely to get hit by tennis balls if we don't.

[Bornadog]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

I think we should hold our fire on any outrageous comments. We're likely to get hit by tennis balls if we don't.

We would be na?ve to think players don't take illicit drugs, but surely our club is not involved in any testing of players off the books, before games and then declaring them injured - I would hope not?

[Grantysghost]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

I think we should hold our fire on any outrageous comments. We're likely to get hit by tennis balls if we don't.

That's a pro move.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

AFL will say their system is working. It is all about player welfare. Player health comes first. Everything else is secondary. We have sought advice from medical experts. This is what they have advised we do. We need to listen medical experts and put player welfare first.

[Topdog]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

I hope we haven't traded someone to Melbourne in the last couple of years..

Uh... oh..

God damn it.

This doctor got sacked in 2020 so he isnt referencing Hunter here even though we all believe it would also apply to that trade.

Dr Arain was sacked by the Demons in October 2020 after eight years as head doctor ? just days after raising serious concerns about the club?s culture with chief executive Gary Pert.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

We definitely haven't had anyone on the books into cocaine in the last 10 years or so.

[EasternWest]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

We would be na?ve to think players don't take illicit drugs, but surely our club is not involved in any testing of players off the books, before games and then declaring them injured - I would hope not?

I would hope not too, but I have my doubts.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

Melbourne will get a massive fine and a slap on the wrist and the AFL will cover the fine through the back door.

[Bornadog]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

link

SEN Chief Reporter Sam Edmund has spoken to the AFL regarding the allegations, saying they're well aware that this happens:

?I?ve spoken to the AFL this morning, the league don?t deny this happens and in fact they admit that it does happen, but they say that it sits well within their medical model,? Edmund told SEN Breakfast.


?If they have a player who has a problem with illicit drugs, they have the ability to test them and make sure they don?t use them on match days and hold them out of play.


?Now, unless they have permission from the player to do otherwise, the league cites medical privacy and that no one would want it known that they might have an illicit drugs problem.


?They argue the idea that the club can say a player is out for two weeks with cocaine use is absolutely fanciful.


?The off the books claim, as raised in parliament, the league will today state that every test is off the books for Sports Integrity Australia and by extension WADA, except for matchday.


?Why? Because those two bodies don?t give a rats about illicit drug use any time outside of the day before a game through to the end of the event.


?It?s worth pointing out again that this is a volunteer policy that the players have agreed to in the first place. One no other code or Olympian volunteers to.?

Further Sam summarises:

AFL says this IS its medical model.

- It is "off the books" for SIA because SIA aren't interested in illicit drugs out of competition.
- It is a volunteer policy that no other code or Olympian adheres to.
- They make no apologies from stopping players taking the field with a drug in their system that threatens their health and could return a long SIA ban.
- Secrecy necessary under doctor/patient privilege.
- Talking a handful of players target tested and not hundreds.

BUT, its clandestine nature (faking injuries) does attract criticism. As is the fact that it's a criminal act at the end of the day.
Certainly a complex space.

[Bornadog]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

Total disgrace that the AFL doesn't care under their so called drug policy, because in effect, clubs are allowed to hide a positive test

[hujsh]

Re: Melbourne Watch 2023/24

I mean, why bother at this point? Just say you don't test for recreational drugs anymore and only care if a player has substances in their system gameday that could be performance enhancing or a masking agent. I don't get tested for coke at my workplace, should Hugh McCluggage be any different (outside of gameday)?