Fremantle and West Coast have refused to weigh in on the AFL’s controversial illicit drug policy in the wake of bombshell admissions by the league.
The AFL on Wednesday was unapologetic as it admitted encouraging players not to take part in matches if they had illicit drugs in their system.
It followed allegations of secret, off-the-books drug testing that enabled players to avoid the detection of illicit substances in their system prior to match-day testing by Sports Integrity Australia.
The West Australian reached out to both the Dockers and Eagles on Wednesday morning with a request for comment on whether the club supported the current policy.
Both clubs were also asked if they were comfortable that they may not have been informed that players on their list had missed games due to testing positive for illicit drugs, disguised as injuries.
Fremantle declined to comment, while West Coast did not respond to the request at the time of publishing on Wednesday.
Dockers star Caleb Serong told 92.9 Triple M he had two post-game drug tests last year.
“They’re separate kind of protocols. The game day stuff is with SIA (Sports Integrity Asand WADA and whatnot – and that’s the performance enhancing side of it.”
“And that’s the game day one where you get picked out in the team meeting or after the game – and they can’t leave your side until you go to the toilet.”
Both have players on their list that previously played at Melbourne, the club at the centre of the allegations, but The West does not imply they were involved in any way.
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir will front the media on Thursday, per usual media commitments, while Eagles coach Adam Simpson will speak on Friday.
Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin, Essendon counterpart Brad Scott and Sydney’s John Longmire all denied knowledge of the alleged secret tests and players faking injuries on Wednesday.
Goodwin said all clubs would demand more information from the AFL.
