Crows' anger at drug witch-hunt

Angry: The cloud of suspicion being cast over all footballers by the drugs controversy is making Adelaide Football Club chairman Rob Chapman's blood boil. Picture: Brooke Whatnall Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE and Port Adelaide are fuming as they prepare to open their doors to investigators who will make or break clubs in AFL's integrity crisis.

Around 150 AFL and NRL clubs officials, staff and players will be interviewed from tomorrow in a bid to determine illegal drug use highlighted in the Australian Crime Commission report findings released last week. Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman believes there has been no illegal activity at West Lakes but admits the issue makes his blood boil.

"There is anger simmering up in me because there are a lot of innocent people, clubs, players," he said.

While a number of players are expected to be caught using performance enhancing drugs, The Advertiser can reveal clubs not affected might claim compensation.

The Power will be one of the last clubs visited on February 21 by AFL investigators which club chief executive Keith Thomas hopes demonstrates a clean slate at Alberton.

Thomas noted ongoing investigations "could take months" - which AFL battler clubs don't have to lock in nervous major sponsors.

"You wouldn't rule it out to be honest, to explore it (compensation)," said Thomas of potential sponsor losses worth millions. "There is no doubt that this has put potential sponsorships at risk and so we wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't ask about that if that happened and nothing played out. It makes you a little bit nervous but it is understandable from sponsors' point of view.

"We had two sponsors pretty well ready to announce when this happened."

Thomas hopes cash-strapped Port won't be forced to delay the announcement of dual sponsors until the March 31 season opener against Melbourne at the MCG.

"I would like to think we can announce sponsors soon, earlier than round one, so we are fully branded and getting full benefit from it," said Thomas. "I don't think this will be resolved by round one, there is no timeline. Every player and multiple officials have to be interviewed from all clubs which will take time."

Last week's ACC report press conference left Chapman wanting proof of illegal activity in sport to support the "tone and language used".

"I was looking at the press conference and hearing the words, tone and I just can't accept what they are saying as in widespread, infiltrated by organised crime," said Chapman.

"But I am not underplaying the seriousness of drugs in sport. It is very serious and we want to do everything we can to eradicate it."

Chapman is uncomfortable with players' phones being tapped as part of ACC investigation that has stigmatised football codes.

"We are having detailed discussion within the club about all things that have happened over the past days. Am I comfortable with the idea of being tapped? No, I don't like he idea of it but I acknowledge the importance of it," said Chapman.

Thomas said he hoped the investigation meant clubs could deal with the threat of illegal drugs in a more effective way. "The process we are going through, anxiety and potential for reputations being damaged is a significant price to pay, so the quicker we can do this the better," Thomas said.

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