Melbourne captain Max Gawn admits he was "angry and surprised" upon learning the revelations made in Parliament by Andrew Wilkie, who exposed evidence of "off the books" drug tests facilitated by the league.
Under the "secret scheme", it has been revealed that players who produce a positive result in the days leading up to a game are advised by their doctors to fake an injury or claim an illness, to avoid being caught by Sports Integrity Australia (SIA) tests on matchday, according to the Herald Sun.
The AFL released a statement on Wednesday declaring that the "commitment to player wellbeing and welfare" is the priority, being mostly "unapologetic" about their conduct.
MORE: The AFL's response to the "secret drug testing" claims
The Demons' leader was "taken aback" by the admission, saying on Triple M's Marty Sheargold Show, “I don't delve too much into the illicit drug policy.
“In the last 24 hours, I've gone from angry and surprised to (the thought that) I like that doctors step in at strike one. I think that's a great thing about our policy.
"We're there to help rather than to scapegoat. I get there might be people taking the piss within this, but if we're catching the majority that needs the help…”
“I'd be very amazed if there's the whole injury fake injury thing. I can't see it happening at our club. I'm trying to wrap my head around an incident where someone was out for a week, and I just can't see it.”
Under the AFL's three-strike drug policy, a second positive test outside match day would normally result in the player being named and shamed, fined $5000 and suspended for four games, with a third strike seeing them rubbed out for another 12 matches.
In the last two years, former Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan, Western Bulldogs' Bailey Smith and Carlton recruit Elijah Hollands were all handed two-match bans for admitting to the use of illicit substances outside of the AFL season, which doesn't fall under the AFL illicit drug policy (IDP).
Gawn's teammate Joel Smith - who is accused of drug trafficking and faces a minimum two-year ban - is subject to a different level of punishment given he tested positive for cocaine before a match, which classifies as a performance-enhancing drug.
The six-time All-Australian believes there needs to be greater "transparency" regarding drug testing but a larger punishment could help rectify the problem.
“The deterrent is not there, or it's fading – there needs to be something bigger on the first strike.”
Sydney Swans AFLW players Alexia Hamilton and Paige Sheppard were found guilty of possession but were not given a strike (whereas a male footballer would) given there's no IDP, according to Channel 9's Tom Morris.
