AFL braces for increase in positive tests under ‘stronger’ new illicit drugs policy
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”.The policy has been in negotiation for two years, and follows explosive comments made in federal parliament in 2024 by independent MP Andrew Wilkie, citing information from former Melbourne doctor Zeeshan Arain, alleging there had been “wilful inaction” by the AFL to address a “prevalence of drug abuse” in the sport.Sport Integrity Australia subsequently found “no irreconcilable inconsistencies” between the AFL’s illicit drugs policy and the National Anti-Doping Scheme.However, there remains wide concern over the level of drug use in the AFL, highlighted by illicit drugs scandals and bans to players including Bailey Smith in recent years.
AFL chief executive, Andrew Dillon, said the sport was a reflection of broader society.“There’s a reality that illicit drug use is not an issue unique to sport or our game, it’s a broader societal challenge and our players are not immune from the issues and pressures that it exist in the community,” he said.“So what this revised policy does is bring together stronger education, stronger deterrence, stronger accountability and stronger support.”Every men’s and women’s player will now be tested twice per year under a policy that will also apply to the AFLW for the first time.The fresh approach will test hair rather than urine, a change which is expected to detect drug use up to three months before the test, compared to only a few days previously.
James Gallagher, chief executive of the AFL Players’ Association, said the updated policy – under its first revision since 2016 – maintains a focus on “reducing substance abuse and drug-related harms for players”, following a review by alcohol and drug consultancy 360Edge.“The key outcome of that review was that it recommended a harm reduction approach with an emphasis on health and well-being under a revised policy, and pleasingly, that’s exactly where it landed,” he said.Players who initially test positive will discuss the test only with the club doctor and psychologist, who will work with the player on a “behaviour change program”.Subsequent positive tests will trigger more onerous obligations on players to address their drug use, including potentially meeting costs of treatment.When attempts to work with a player have failed, they may be prevented from playing by independent experts appointed jointly by the AFL and AFLPA.
That player would be listed as “unavailable” in a club’s pre-match injury report.The public will be kept in the dark, as will others in the club, apart from the general manager of football, chief executive and president.Clubs will be fined $250,000 if this confidentiality is breached.Dillon rejected the notion that labelling a player simply as “unavailable” would increase speculation that players were not playing due to their drug use.“We’ve had a policy in place for 20-plus years, that hasn’t occurred previously and I think under this policy again – the most comprehensive in Australian sport – I think that we’ve got a process that will work well,” he said.
Darcy Moore, Collingwood defender and AFLPA president, urged focusing on what the policy can do for players, rather than what happens when a player might ultimately be withdrawn from playing.“That comes at the end of what is quite a comprehensive and well resourced best practice policy to manage players who have tested positive with a hair test,” he said.“By that stage, we understand that in reality, clubs have been involved in helping to administer this program, so it is literally designed to avoid that situation.”Laura Kane, the AFL’s executive general manager of football operations, said the new approach would cost more than the previous one but it will be fully funded by the AFL.The AFL confirmed players who are barred from playing under the policy will still be paid by their clubs.
War on Iran ‘making us all poorer’ but RBA may need to hike interest rates again, official warns
A senior Reserve Bank official says soaring fuel prices from the Iran war is “making us all poorer”, but signalled the central bank may need to hike interest rates again to prevent inflation getting out of hand.Chris Kent, an assistant governor at the RBA, said that a hit to financial markets from a global energy shock would normally argue against further rate rises.“A negative supply shock pushes up prices and leads to weaker economic activity, making us all poorer. Central banks cannot change that,” Kent said.“But they can ensure that the initial rise in prices does not lead to a rise in longer term inflationary expectations and extended inflationary pressures
British suppliers to be prioritised for contracts in sectors vital to national security
British suppliers will be prioritised for public contracts in shipbuilding, steel, AI and energy infrastructure under new guidance marking them out as sectors vital to national security.Departments will also have to either use British steel or justify sourcing it from overseas, under the rules announced by the government.The policy was already in the works but has been brought forward as the war in the Gulf and resulting shocks highlighted the fragility of global supply chains.Also, a Public Interest Test will oblige departments to assess whether outsourced service contracts over £1m could be delivered more effectively in-house. The test will cover more than 95% of central government contracts by value
Record investment in quantum computing talent | Letter
Dr Simon Williams (Letters, 19 March) writes that ambition in quantum computing cannot succeed without sustained investment in people and fundamental science. He is correct on that point, but wrong to say that UK’s investment plans risk losing quantum computing talent.The UK’s advantageous position in quantum has only emerged through sustained long-term public investment from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and partners into fundamental physics research projects, and the best people, infrastructure and partnerships. It is through this that the UK is poised to reap the benefits of the quantum revolution.In the last 10 years, UKRI’s councils have made investments in physics research, supporting hundreds of academics and building the foundation for where we are today
UK iPhone users face over-18 age check to use services after update
Millions of Apple iPhone customers in the UK will now have to confirm they are 18 or older to use all available services, including by showing a credit card or by scanning an ID.The move, believed to be a first for a European market, comes amid pressure on tech companies from the government to do more to protect children online.The new requirement will be included in a software update. It was welcomed by Ofcom, the online regulator, which called it “a real win for children and families” and said it was part of a wider drive to “keep young people away from harmful content”.However, some users complained that it raised concerns about the privacy of the information that is uploaded to prove age
‘It’s something bling’: Gout Gout ready to sparkle as he enters new phase of sprint career
Dazzling in his sponsor’s tracksuit, and sparkling with an earring and two glimmering chains, sprint sensation Gout Gout told his first press conference in Melbourne his confidence is growing.The teenager spoke to a swarm of cameras on Thursday, ahead of the Maurie Plant Meet on Saturday. The major attraction of the marquee night in Australian athletics is a rematch of the 200m race against Lachie Kennedy last year, when Gout was upstaged.Gout said his friendly rivalry with Kennedy was “amazing”, but he was confident he would be able to perform on Saturday. “Knowing there’s so many people here to watch you run and watch you compete, well, it just brings out the best in you,” the 18-year-old said
Jessica Pegula left frustrated as Elena Rybakina roars back to reach Miami last four
Jessica Pegula had her chances. Midway through the second set of yet another showdown with Elena Rybakina, the American had engineered a flawless start. After bulldozing through the opening set, Pegula’s level at the beginning of set two put her in with a fair shot of snatching a win against her Kazakhstani opponent, who has dominated their recent meetings.Instead, Pegula departed Miami with another tough lesson to parse through after being shown once again that the best players in the world pounce on even the smallest drops in intensity. Despite her mediocre start, Rybakina produced a brilliant comeback to reach the Miami Open semi-finals with a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win
What are the rules on cryptocurrency donations to UK political parties?
Matt Brittin: why the BBC’s new Doctor Who-loving boss may not have much time for sleep
Meta ordered to pay $375m after being found liable in child exploitation case
OpenAI shutters AI video generator Sora in abrupt announcement
Baltimore sues Elon Musk’s AI company over Grok’s fake nude images
Protect men and boys from manosphere influencers, Labour MPs tell Ofcom