Coaches, club staff and Australian Football League execs would be "subjected to random testing under a push to expand footy's illicit drugs policy," according to Michael Warner of the HERALD SUN. The AFL Players' Association "raised the prospect of industry-wide drug testing" during talks with league chiefs on Tuesday. AFL side Collingwood President Eddie McGuire has "put up his hand to be the first off-field official tested if the regimen is extended" beyond the game's 800 players. McGuire: "One in all in -- I’m happy to be first cab off the rank. ... It's a privilege not a right to be involved in football. People shouldn't be hypocritical and nor should the players be singled out and shamed." The AFL is "pushing for an overhaul of the contentious" three-strikes drugs policy "amid concerns the use of illegal substances like cocaine, ecstasy and ice in player ranks is on the rise." Players will be "asked to consider a new two-strike policy as well as year-round hair testing." Clubs are also "keen to be made aware of all positive tests recorded by their players under the voluntary welfare-based testing system" (HERALD SUN, 4/9).
