THE AFL Players' Association has continued its push to end the release of annual illicit drug test statistics as debate swirls around the effectiveness of the League's three-strikes policy.
Every season the AFL releases detailed statistics on the prior year's testing results, showing how many tests have been failed and what players are testing positive to.
The amount of second and third failed tests are also made public, with only one third strike recorded in nine years of testing under the program, which the players volunteered to take part in via the AFLPA.
The players' union CEO, Paul Marsh, will meet with the AFL to review the policy and he will push to end the release of annual data.
"It serves no purpose," Marsh told Fairfax Media.
"In cricket there are no statistical results released at all because in my view it's voyeuristic and has no medical benefit.
"It's not so much about the number of strikes but about getting the right medical model in place.
"We certainly don't rule out reviewing the policy and we're open to having those discussions."
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan indicated on Fox Footy on Monday night that there was an appetite within the AFL industry to change the illicit drugs policy.
Marsh told AFL.com.au this week he supported the policy but was open to a review if there was evidence that the players' use of illicit drugs or the dangers they are exposed to had changed dramatically.
Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale, who designed the illicit drugs policy in his previous role as AFLPA chief, has called for change to the policy, which was established in 2005.
"Back then it represented a significant departure from what we had had in place, which was really no policy," Gale told The Age.
"A decade down the track my concern is that circumstances may have changed.
"I'm hearing things which disturb me. Anecdotally I'm hearing some players are taking risks and I think we should look at a harder-line approach."
Under the current medical model, players are tested throughout the year and subject to hair testing out of competition.
The players agreed to that on the basis that the names of players who test positive to illicit drugs remained confidential with only the AFL medical officer and relevant club doctor made aware of their positive test.
Players who record a strike are subject to counselling, education and treatment to address the issue.
The players can also be suspended for up to 18 games if they record three strikes.
Under changes introduced after increased use was recorded in 2012, players are only allowed to self-report once during their career.
