AFL General Manager, Football Operations, Adrian Anderson, today supported the actions of the Western Bulldogs in suspending player Tom Liberatore for the remainder of the 2012 season following an off-field weekend incident.

“The Club has kept the AFL informed and we are satisfied with the way it has dealt with the matter,” Mr Anderson said.

Mr Anderson said the incident was concerning and deemed to be a positive test under the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy. As a result, Liberatore will be required to undertake mandatory counselling and drug education under the direction of the AFL Medical Directors. He will also be subject to target testing under the Policy.

Read the Western Bulldogs' statement on the incident involving Tom Liberatore. 

Illicit Drugs Policy Background

The AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy has operated since 2005 and is over and above the match day testing undertaken by ASADA. It tests AFL players out-of-competition for illicit drugs use. It is a voluntary policy developed in conjunction with the AFL Players’ Association and is based on a medical model - one that focuses on education, counselling and treatment.

The threefold aims of the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy are:

1.      To educate players about the serious dangers of using illicit drugs;

2.      To identify any player who has made the poor choice to use drugs and to direct them immediately into appropriate counselling and treatment programs; and

3.      To provide the necessary intervention and support to change the behaviour of those identified. 

Any player who does not respond to counselling and treatment programs - and who has failed a test for the third time - is subject to a financial sanction of $5000 and a suspension of up to 18 matches. A player suspended in such circumstances will continue to receive treatment and counselling to ensure the best chances of changing their behaviour.