Greens senator Richard Di Natale has slammed growing calls for a tighter AFL drugs policy, fearing player welfare may be sacrificed to preserve the game's image.

Senator Di Natale – a former drug and alcohol clinician and public health specialist – is the Greens' spokesman on health and sport.

Senator Richard Di Natale has expressed fears over calls for a tighter AFL drugs policy. Credit:James Boddington

He has followed recent debate on the league's contentious three-strikes policy, and says he was drawn to comment after becoming concerned with the shift in opinion towards a stricter regime.

"I've got real concerns that what was originally developed as a health model that has the best interests of the players at heart seems to be moving towards potentially protecting the reputation of the sport ahead of the welfare of the players," Senator Di Natale said.