Gold Coast Drug Culture

[PaulRB 6,435]

Police do.

Thats good. They carry guns.

[daisycutter 29,908]

That would make it an personal issue between club and player, not the AFL, not the media.

splitting hairs paul. the aflpa agreed so stiff biccies

btw the afl didn't release stats on the last illicit drug report

[Ethan Tremblay 31,271]

Thats good. They carry guns.

Most testing occurs from recalls when someone is on leave.

[praha 11,253]

I love how the media is treating the "bible group" like as if it's so outrageous...

[daisycutter 29,908]

I love how the media is treating the "bible group" like as if it's so outrageous...

it's just a stepping stone to calling them a "religous extremist group"

[DeeSpencer 26,473]

Ironically, it is the AFL's insistence to impose a special rule on players and recreational drugs, and test for them that, creates the results that then tarnishes their brand as inevitably some players get caught.

That the AFL only imposes these tests and sanctions on players and does not impose these measures on it's management and staff, highlights that they are not doing it out of care for their employees, but to manipulate and build a "brand of care", when in fact there is none.

And that's going to come unstuck every time...

It also belittles and overshadows the work done by government and social organisations to find and implement the best practices to address and minimise the damage that can result from taking drugs.

You are a bit off the mark here.

Of course the AFL are in this for PR. But they also don't want guys going off the rails like the West Coast group did. Since the drug policy the only players to find the media for drug use have been Libba Jnr (who's become a star), Travis Tuck (and deeply troubled individual at the time), Karmichael (who's still fit, healthy and playing rugby) and (likely) the Collingwood boys who wouldn't have been caught if not for some dodgy clen.

No more drug related crimes, players nearly dying on overseas trips or any of the other big issues that plagued West Coast.

The AFL drug policy is based on best medical practice. It says instead of punishing first time offenders with criminal sanctions that they should be given medical care. They aren't undermining the government at all.

To put it simply the AFL are trying to have the best of both worlds. People then start using terms like integrity but why shouldn't the AFL look out for the AFL? Isn't that what the rest of the world does?

If the AFL and AFLPA did nothing would you be the first to complain when a player inevitably developed an addiction unchecked and ended up like Cousins?

[DemonFrog 1,359]

I prefer my AFL without drugs

[faultydet 7,623]

The Libs rang Faulty. They want Tony Abbott's brain back.

I decided to send Shortens instead. Will get back to you when someone finds it.

Missed Wokkys pun about decriminalise everything and crime is wiped out overnight.

Funny.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I expect the AFL to take the drugs issue on and not just hide it behind their dodgy not really 3 strikes policy. They come out and tell us everything is under control and base it on some rubbery stats.

We shouldn't move on and need to demand more from our players.

These guys are not part of normal society, although the AFL community would have as believe they are time and again when the issue suits. These are well above average athletes who get paid way above average for what they do.

I agree with you rjay...... but

the AFL have to demand all footy people on the payroll, all;

All the professionals from the board down, the Presidents, the CEO's, the footy dept' people, & the players as well; should all undergo not just blood tests, but all should have hair sample tests, 6 Monthly.

[Machsy 2,858]

I prefer my AFL without drugs

I prefer mine without organised religion.

[Skuit 10,031]

I plan on using MFCSS as an excuse in court next time I get caught holding the baggie.

[ILLDieADemon 804]

This is what most guys in there 20's get up to these days, unfortunately for Hunt his a very highly paid sport star and now his dirty loundry is getting published in a national paper.

[Mazer Rackham 14,971]

I love how the media is treating the "bible group" like as if it's so outrageous...

Yeah, well. It's their divided loyalties that's the problem. If the coach says, from now on we are going to covet our neighbour's oxen, he can't be sure the whole playing group is buying in.

[P-man 13,367]

It's obviously naive to think that this is isolated to the Suns. That being said, it's something that clubs should be allowed to deal with in-house. I don't think this necessarily requires a heavy handed approach from the AFL, beyond education programs. Players place their careers in major jeopardy, which if they care about their career, should be deterrent enough.

Let's not kid ourselves. Young adults will experiment with drugs, irrespective of their legality. There was a time where it entailed a toke of a joint or the drop of an acid tab. Times have changed and there's only so much you can do to halt change. In the club environment, advise the players of what is and isn't acceptable and deal with them accordingly, but do it in-house. Don't demonise these young men as though they are major exceptions to the rule.

In terms of the broader discussion, dealing with alcoholism and its associated incidents is at least as pressing an issue. Stricter implementation and enforcement of serving times, lockouts and closing times would be a good start, and I'd be all in favour of lengthy jail terms for one punch kills. Anyone who resorts to alcohol fuelled violence, as a general rule, has a history of such behaviour. They should be treated with zero tolerance

Incidentally, I don't think we are in any position to be casting judgement on poor culture. MFC's culture of the last decade hasn't exactly been the blueprint for success.

[dee-luded 2,959]

This is what most guys in there 20's get up to these days, unfortunately for Hunt his a very highly paid sport star and now his dirty loundry is getting published in a national paper.

apparently a lot of viruses up north these past few years. many players carrying sniffles a lot of the time.

those guys have poor immunity up there.

[dazzledavey36 55,983]

Don't know how 3 footballers who go in into a small room before a game and say a quick prayer is such a big issue.

[SaberFang 7,151]

Don't know how 3 footballers who go in into a small room before a game and say a quick prayer is such a big issue.

My understanding is that the players of faith frown upon the boys who prefer the party lifestyle. I expect it's been blown out of proportion (these things usually are) as you wouldn't think the two are incongruous these days, but in the pressure cooker of a team not performing and under pressure, I imagine finger pointing is well underway.

Ablett alone is a fascinating case study. Brilliant player but certainly not a leader of men. He is incapable of dragging teammates with him in the way that other brilliant captains like Hodge do. Not to mention the bizarre axing of McKenna which now raises even more questions nearly a year down the track. Was Ablett leading the charge to dump him because Bluey didn't want to upset the party culture that was forming? Does Ablett have a holier-than-thou attitude in general? I assume his teammates respect him but we don't hear much from other players.

Bizarre, the whole thing.

[Machsy 2,858]

It's obviously naive to think that this is isolated to the Suns. That being said, it's something that clubs should be allowed to deal with in-house. I don't think this necessarily requires a heavy handed approach from the AFL, beyond education programs. Players place their careers in major jeopardy, which if they care about their career, should be deterrent enough.

Let's not kid ourselves. Young adults will experiment with drugs, irrespective of their legality. There was a time where it entailed a toke of a joint or the drop of an acid tab. Times have changed and there's only so much you can do to halt change. In the club environment, advise the players of what is and isn't acceptable and deal with them accordingly, but do it in-house. Don't demonise these young men as though they are major exceptions to the rule.

In terms of the broader discussion, dealing with alcoholism and its associated incidents is at least as pressing an issue. Stricter implementation and enforcement of serving times, lockouts and closing times would be a good start, and I'd be all in favour of lengthy jail terms for one punch kills. Anyone who resorts to alcohol fuelled violence, as a general rule, has a history of such behaviour. They should be treated with zero tolerance

Incidentally, I don't think we are in any position to be casting judgement on poor culture. MFC's culture of the last decade hasn't exactly been the blueprint for success.

But the drugs are only part of the issue at Gold Coast.

The God Squad have created an atmosphere where the "normal" crowd get on the [censored] & shovel coke up their noses.

The alternative is to be a Jesus freak.

At the end of the day, it's human nature to want to belong, but they've found a way to make the clean-living option the undesirable choice.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

My understanding is that the players of faith frown upon the boys who prefer the party lifestyle. I expect it's been blown out of proportion (these things usually are) as you wouldn't think the two are incongruous these days, but in the pressure cooker of a team not performing and under pressure, I imagine finger pointing is well underway.

Ablett alone is a fascinating case study. Brilliant player but certainly not a leader of men. He is incapable of dragging teammates with him in the way that other brilliant captains like Hodge do. Not to mention the bizarre axing of McKenna which now raises even more questions nearly a year down the track. Was Ablett leading the charge to dump him because Bluey didn't want to upset the party culture that was forming? Does Ablett have a holier-than-thou attitude in general? I assume his teammates respect him but we don't hear much from other players.

Bizarre, the whole thing.

Ironic that Luke Hodge's name should come up as a great leader - in a drugs thread.

I'm not disagreeing that he isn't a great leader either - he is. But he is no clean skin himself.

Does Ablett have a hollier than though attitude in general? Perhaps, but I would be surprised if he did in regards to drugs ( he has lost family members due to drugs).

[jabberwocky 2,301]

But the drugs are only part of the issue at Gold Coast.

The God Squad have created an atmosphere where the "normal" crowd get on the [censored] & shovel coke up their noses.

The alternative is to be a Jesus freak.

At the end of the day, it's human nature to want to belong, but they've found a way to make the clean-living option the undesirable choice.

So the blokes doing the right thing are doing the wrong thing?

[jnrmac 20,298]

Tell me what part of "decriminalize all drugs" says they are a bad thing? Legal, means not bad. Acceptable, ok.

People do not just take up drugs because they are illegal, and they want to be "bad" All sorts of reasons why people take them up, and turn into druggo losers, who are a burden on society.

Users will always find an argument in support of legalisation.

Are you a user?

Alcohol and tobacco are the two most abused drugs in the country with huge consequences for health services....and they are legal.

Just sayin...

[SaberFang 7,151]

Ironic that Luke Hodge's name should come up as a great leader - in a drugs thread.

I'm not disagreeing that he isn't a great leader either - he is. But he is no clean skin himself.

Does Ablett have a hollier than though attitude in general? Perhaps, but I would be surprised if he did in regards to drugs ( he has lost family members due to drugs).

The most laughable thing about this entire story has been the "outrage" over the mere idea that an AFL player might have taken an illegal drug.

Surely in this day and age, the public aren't so naive as to believe the AFL line that they're unaware of players taking drugs. It is rife and certainly not just at the Gold Coast. The AFL withheld the results of their most recent illicit drugs policy statistics for a reason.

Hearing that about Hodge wouldn't surprise me, but I'd hope those days are behind him.

[The Chazz 4,077]

It might be just me, but I find this "3 strike" policy hard to deal with. The AFL are encouraging players to take illicit drugs, by giving them three warnings before they face punishment. The problem is, especially in the case of the Gold Coast players, it's likely that they won't be punished (ie named and shamed, or suspended), so for the greater community, there's a sense that they have been "let off".

This then creates the mentality for some that it's ok to take these drugs as there are no consequences for doing it. It trickles down to state league players, then also through the U18 group. Then there is the big problem, especially in regional Victoria, where the local leagues are quite strong, and clubs have significant amounts of money that they can pay their players. They are treated like rock stars by their local town, so they try and mirror the "AFL rock stars". I know this sounds very judgemental, but I know what I've witnessed in a fairly major regional centre in Victoria.

While I'm not suggesting that punishing AFL players is an attempt to change societies drug problems, I'm in no doubt that a percentage of football followers are seeing this as a "if it's good enough for them, and they get away with it, then it's good enough for me".

Fact is, taking illicit drugs is breaking the law. We have a policy in place that is allowing this to happen multiple times before consequence.

End rant.

[Sir Why You Little 37,340]

The Broadcast Rights are now worth too much $$$$

The league cannot afford to lose star players.

This is why their drug policy is so pathetic.

It is also why they are so concerned about WADA.

The AFL needed Govt. support so they signed the WADA code...

Where else does one get 3 strikes and anonimity in this world

This is why Lance "Thug" Franklin gets a week when others get 4

I have seen Lance snorting Candy with others

He knows he will be protected

[faultydet 7,623]

Alcohol and tobacco are the two most abused drugs in the country with huge consequences for health services....and they are legal.

Just sayin...

I wouldnt have any problem with cigarettes being outlawed either mate. They serve no purpose at all, other than add to the countries health care costs.