PORT Adelaide champion Kane Cornes has delivered a scathing analysis of the AFL’s “failed” illicit drugs policy, claiming some players “laugh” at the system despite the collective playing group’s now “tattered” reputation.

Cornes’ strong comments, which included the suggestion of naming player culprits after one positive strike, come in the wake of a bad week for the industry.

Video featuring ex-Giants ruckman Shane Mumford snorting a large quantity of white powder was leaked, while text messages allegedly sent by an AFL player that suggested drug use were also distributed throughout social media.

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The Giants said they were “extremely distressed by the footage” of Mumford, while Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas revealed the club was aware that alleged lewd messages leaked on social media could belong to one of its own players but that had yet to be verified.

Cornes said illicit drug use is “the biggest blight on the game of AFL right now”.

“The AFL, the players and the Players’ Association continue to defend a failed system, and right now, some players laugh at the system, knowing that if caught their identities will never be revealed,” Cornes told SEN's The Captain’s Run on Friday morning.

“Damage is done to the game’s reputation, as all AFL players have been tarred with the same brush. It’s absolutely devastating.”

Fellow AFL players Jake Carlisle, Josh Thomas, Lachie Keeffe and Sam Murray had also been caught over recent years.

As a player, Cornes claimed he was tested around four times a year, but said it appeared tough logistically for any player to get caught by drug testers.

The 300-game Port star said the only answer was a “strong stand and zero tolerance”.

“‘We are the only sport that subjects its players to voluntary testing for illicit drugs’ is the common line wheeled out by the AFLPA and the players. That doesn’t cut it anymore, particularly when Sam Murray is allegedly indulging in illicit drug use only days out from a big game,” Cornes said.

Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes says the AFL illicit drugs policy must be policed must harder. Picture: Matt Turner Source: News Corp Australia

“The players are earning more money than ever before yet have never had as much free time in the professional era. It’s the perfect storm for those at risk. They are making a mockery of this inadequate policy and change must happen now.

“I don’t have all the answers, but a first step would be to name the culprits after one positive strike. That’s the best deterrent I can come up with.

“It’s been an appalling week for the AFL and it’s going to take a long time superglue the pieces back together.”

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh earlier this week defended the illicit drugs ‘strikes’ policy.

“We know some players abuse illicit drugs from time to time and that’s why we have an illicit drugs policy in place,” Marsh told 3AW.

“Young people do make silly and impulsive decisions from time to time. We know drugs are in our industry and our society.

“We’ve had issues like this in the past, there’ll be issues like this again in the future.”