AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou rejected the suggestion the results were "devastating" for the AFL. He said players who had tested positive were "a very small minority who are making poor choices". AFL illicit drug policy results. "As a code, what I’m particularly proud of is that we have a policy in place that actually identifies people who have taken illicit drugs. I’d rather be our sport than several other sports that don’t even have a policy," he said. AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said the results were "obviously disappointing" but also "a reminder that illicit-drug use is a problem across society, and football cannot afford to be complacent". "We’d prefer to have continued the trend we had in the past, but I think we said at the time we weren’t sure how unsustainable that was given the growth in the use of drugs in society. I think it would be naive to think players would be immune from that," he said.

AFL medical director Dr Peter Harcourt, who leads the clique privy to all aspects of the results, said the trend towards players taking a more lax or defiant attitude to illicit-drug consumption became evident after the 2011 season. The breakdown by drug type. "(Co-director) Harry Unglik and I started to notice attitudinal issues, a shift in the attitude of players, about 15 months ago ... and we started to ask about the availability of illicit substances in the community because we were getting the message from the players that when they were going back to their (non-football) peer groups they’d have a few drinks and illicit substances would come out." He said cocaine was the "standout" drug, with stimulants such as it accounting for 25 of the 26 failed tests in 2012. Methamphetamine was also increasingly prevalent. The 26 failed tests last year resulted in two players progressing to their second strike, for three overall. If a player reaches a third strike their identity is disclosed as part of their punishment.

Both the AFL and AFLPA said the results needed to be considered as part of the increasing prevalence of illicit drugs in society, especially among males aged between 20 and 30. A key change in the policy is the restriction on players being able to self-report instances of illicit-drug use, after which they are counselled but avoid recording a strike. Players will now be only able to do so once in their career. Dr Harcourt disputed the suggestion the reform was necessary due to players rorting the current system, in that they habitually take illicit drugs and then immediately self-report it to avoid the possibility of a strike. "I’ve had a couple of incidents where I’ve had individuals who I thought were in that situation, but the vast bulk of players made a stupid mistake and realised they made a silly mistake and get on the phone to Harry or myself," he said. The contentious rule that the only official at a club to be informed of positive tests among their players is the team doctor has been been tweaked. Players deemed by the AFL’s medical team of completely disregarding all counselling they receive and not changing their behaviour will be given a final warning. Should that behaviour continue their identity will be disclosed to their club’s chief executive.

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert, speaking on behalf of club chief executives, predicted a resulting confrontation between that player and the chief executive of their club would be beneficial. "This is all in the best interests of the player. For example, a CEO might sit down and talk to a player who might during that discussion say ‘I’ve got real anxiety issues, I’ve got mental-health issues, I’m struggling ... what you’re seeing in my ... attitude or decision-making are symptoms of that.’ It’s a really positive thing that we could then start to deal with it," he said. While the AFLPA had been a staunch supporter of only the club’s doctor being informed of possible test results, Finnis endorsed the exception to be made for players hostile to counselling. "We think the amendments to the policy are sensible but they also maintain a commitment to the fundamental pillars of the policy: confidentiality, protection and trying to change behaviours over time," he said. Clubs will also, as forecast by Fairfax Media on Wednesday night, be given detailed regular reports of test results involving their players, with only player identities undisclosed. Clubs will also be given the power to officially request the AFL target test specific players they suspect are involved in illicit-drug use.

About a quarter of all testing carried out under the system is targeted rather than random, although that proportion will increase under the revised system. More players will also be subject to hair testing during their annual break. Players who fail these tests do not avoid a strike but are invariably subject to target testing as a result. Demetriou defended that aspect aspect of the system, on the basis that affected players are still subject to counselling and target testing. "We still get the results we are seeking,’’ the AFL chief executive said. All of the proposed reforms agreed by the AFL and the AFLPA, with input from AFL clubs, will have to be approved by the AFL Commission before it is implemented. Demetriou also reiterated the AFL’s concern the out-of-season time demands on players and coaches were too onerous.

Loading "I think there’s general support around the industry that we haven’t quite got the work-life balance right." New football operations chief Mark Evans has been charged with leading a working group of industry and club officials to gauge the ramifications of enforcing a longer off-season break for players and coaches.