AFL recruiters track junior players to uncover the potential for illicit drug use. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: Herald Sun
RECRUITERS are going to increasing lengths to assess draft prospects' drug use before making the $250,000a-year investment in them.
The Herald Sun can reveal that, during draft camp interviews, some young players are openly admitting their drug involvement and, in some cases, providing information about the habits of teammates.
While some clubs yesterday expressed surprise at that tactic, the frank interviews are becoming increasingly vital to recruiters.
TAC Cup clubs have vehemently denied drugs were a problem in their competition and said they have developed world-leading drug and alcohol education programs.
But one leading recruiting manager said yesterday the football world would be "stupid" to think under-18 players were not "dabbling" in illicit substances before entering the AFL system.
"As a recruiting manager I speak to most clubs, and we'd be naive and stupid to think kids at that level aren't doing it. Of course they are," he said.
"I've interviewed kids and a lot of them have been honest enough to say, 'Yeah, I've tried it'. What do I say to that? I say, 'Thank you for being honest'. It's better than them lying to you.
"But it creates a massive red flag to then go and do your homework.
"You've got to go into their homes and into their community. You have to find out the story."
The recruiter said social media was providing a crucial window to the lives of players.
"You follow blokes on Twitter, on Facebook," he said. "You find out their circle of friends and you've got to, because it's a massive investment."
Draft prospects also are being asked to detail other young players' drug use.
"One boy will tell you about another boy. You've got to get as close as possible," the recruiter said.
Another leading AFL recruiter said the percentage of drug users in the elite junior pathway system would be smaller than in the wider community.
"We'd be naive to think that no one's done it, but in my opinion most of the kids we come across are well above the average kid," he said.
"If there is an issue there, it would be at a far lesser rate than your average kid on the street. In some cases I might ask them (about drug use), but it's not something I go and ask every kid."
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