THE AFL today announced that Hawthorn player Travis Tuck had recorded a deemed third failed test under the AFL’s Illicit Drug policy.

AFL Medical Commissioner Harry Unglik advised the AFL General Manager of Football Operations, Adrian Anderson that Mr Tuck admitted to a breach of the Illicit Drug policy following an incident on Friday night in which he was found unconscious by police and transported to hospital.

Following discussions with player Tuck, the Hawthorn Football Club, his management, his treating doctors and the AFLPA today, Mr Tuck confirmed his actions had been in breach of the policy.

The incident constituted a third failed test under the Illicit Drug policy.

Under the AFL Illicit Drug policy, which was introduced in 2005, a player recording three failed tests must face an AFL Tribunal.

The AFL Tribunal, chaired by former Victorian County Court Judge, John Hassett, and with drug experts Susan White and Andrew Garnham on the panel, will sit tonight in the AFL Boardroom at 7pm to hear the case involving Travis Tuck.

As Mr Tuck has made admissions and the fact he is not disputing the deemed third failed test, the tribunal will be asked to decide only on the issue of sanctions.

The Tribunal will hear from Mr Tuck’s treating clinicians and drug counsellors.

Given the sensitive nature of the medical evidence that will be heard, the chairman of the Tribunal has made a direction under AFL Player rule 23.13 (d) that the matter be heard in private to protect the medical privacy of the player.

No media will be allowed into the hearing.

The judgement of the tribunal panel will be available at the end of the hearing and the General Manager of Football Operations, Adrian Anderson, will be available for interview at the conclusion of the hearing.

Mr Tuck continues to be in the care of doctors who are treating him for a number of issues, including his illicit drug use. He is also still receiving counselling under the Illicit Drug policy.

While the AFL acknowledges the intense media interest around this incident, it urges media outlets to treat the reporting of this incident with care.

The AFL will not comment further until after the tribunal hearing.

For anyone needing help to deal with personal issues you should contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au