AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy Reform Stalled After Seven Months

The AFL's reform of its Illicit Drugs Policy is currently stalled, seven months after an in-principle agreement was announced in March. This agreement was made in collaboration with the AFL Players Association, but the new policy has yet to be implemented.

The proposed policy aims to be the strictest in Australian sport, set to take effect in 2026 once unresolved issues are addressed. Recent scrutiny has intensified due to allegations involving five Sydney Swans players linked to a scandal at the Pullman Hotel.

The existing policy, established in 2005, employs a three-strike system for players caught using drugs. Under the current framework, players face fines, suspensions, and targeted support based on the number of violations. The AFL and Players Association have indicated that the new policy will enhance the response to drug use in both the AFL and AFLW, incorporating annual education and more comprehensive testing methods.