AFL braces for increase in positive tests under ‘stronger’ new illicit drugs policy

• Every men’s and women’s player to be tested twice per year

• Players prevented from playing to be listed as ‘unavailable’

The AFL is preparing for an increase in players testing positive to drugs such as cocaine and MDMA due to more effective testing under a new illicit substances policy, even if the public will never find out.

The players union is adamant, however, the “revised” approach will reduce harm, despite the risk of some being exposed to innuendo when they are pulled from matches under a general explanation of “unavailable”.