What we're talking about

b on Attendance not worrying Demitriou Andrew Demitriou says he's not concerned Neither is the rest of the public HAHAHAHA. more
Jason on Attendance not worrying Demitriou Football has become a very soft game and is nothing like traditional VFL. A game that was once played by men as a contact ... more
Mylene on Attendance not worrying Demitriou There's an extra team in the competition and a every team gets a by. Factor that in and there's actually more people ... more
gbh on Time to punish abusive AFL fans? Grow a pair, Seb. more
Taking the Mikie on Time to punish abusive AFL fans? It is unAustralian NOT to abuse the umpire at an AFL game. But one should do so politely, caringly, without malice or foul ... more
col on Demetriou 'doesn't get it' Can we the people of the game get rid of Demetriou more
col on Time to punish abusive AFL fans? Hey Demetriou start selling good food at the footy and the behavior will change, Sell crap and you get crap more
Enoch Powell on Time to punish abusive AFL fans? In this country we are free to yell and scream if we want to, please don't try to take this right away from us, it is bad ... more
Mark on Demetriou 'doesn't get it' Adolf Demetriou should be a dictator in the Middle East.The play is very fast now and things happen in a split second. I am ... more
ian on Demetriou 'doesn't get it' Get a real job andy,you get paid more than a P/M what a joke. more
Susan on Demetriou 'doesn't get it' Join the sad fans who are mourning the death of the tackle this week and wear a black armband to your game. All games, not ... more
Chris on The tackle heard around the world The match review panel is a joke the tackle itself was within the rules of the game, whether an injury is sustained from the ... more
Ken of Euroa on The tackle heard around the world Australian Rules Football is the greatest game in the world. We have a well run competition with great stadiums and amazing ... more
brendan cohen on The tackle heard around the world That was a perfect tackle.If the AFL uphold the suspension, then the AFL should be dissolved; and all the footballers should ... more
Pedro on The tackle heard around the world WHO CARES, last week this mob were back stabbing the coach!! more
Matt - proudly Un-Australian on The tackle heard around the world "Heard around the world"...hahahaha sorry to break it to to old white bogans from 3AW but nobody around the world has heard ... more
Kelli Mcleod on The tackle heard around the world The AFL have no credibility. Inconsistent tribunal decisions, three weeks for a good tackle is a disgrace. Umpires on ... more
Steve on The tackle heard around the world If this was a North player Mitchel would not have given it air time... more
Simon on The tackle heard around the world I barrack for St. Kilda and I think that Jack Trengrove was VERY stiff with this decision. His tackle was a perfect example ... more
Harvey on North Melbourne getting left behind Congratulations, another person taking an easy pot shot at my club. I'll think you'll find that we're doing everything that ... more

Travis Tuck breaks his silence

Posted by: 3AW Football | 1 September, 2010 - 4:57 PM

Travis Tuck has had a crazy few days after overdose

UPDATE: Hawthorn's Travis Tuck has spoken publicly for the first time since being suspended for 12 AFL games after his Friday night GHB overdose led to a third positive test for illegal drugs.

Tuck, speaking via the club's website, said he accepts the penalties applied to him after Tuesday night's historic tribunal hearing after which Hawks CEO Stuart Fox said the AFL had failed the player by not telling the club of his battle with depression and substance abuse.

"I have been dealing with personal and medical issues for the past 12 months and following some intensive treatment I really felt that I had come a long way," said Tuck.

"Friday night was a big setback for me and I understand the anxiety it has caused my family, friends and the Hawthorn Football Club, and for that I am truly sorry. I know I have to keep working hard to deal with my issues and at times this will not be easy."

"I have had excellent medical assistance and will continue this treatment weekly. I'd like to thank the Hawthorn Football Club for their support through this tough time, and the ongoing support of the AFLPA and the AFL. This support and the ongoing structure in my life, along with the motivation to train and return to play will be a big part of my progress and my recovery."

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett, meanwhile, has called for the AFL to scrap the confidentiality aspect of the illicit drug policy warning that help might come 'too late' for a player one day.

Hawthorn say they could have provided better support for Tuck if they had known about his drug use and depression.

The club found out about Tuck's problems after he was found unconscious by police last Friday night.

But the AFL Players Associtation chief, Matt Finniss, says he is satisfied with the way the League has handled the Tuck case and he believes the 12-match suspension is a fair outcome.

Hawthorn has also released details of what now happens for Tuck at the club (scroll down below related audio links to read).

READ:

AFL's full and unedited statement regarding Travis Tuck

AFL Stance - He's been receiving treatment and OD was relapse

Mike Sheahan on the 'three strike' Tuck

Drug Foundation: GHB's high 'overdose rate' and is hard to get

Joel Selwood on how AFL players 'respond to the news'

Talkback callers on the 'three strike' policy

Caroline Wilson on Breakfast

Neil Mitchell's editorial

MEDIA RELEASE:

Hawthorn Football Club has today met with Travis Tuck's management to discuss the player’s ongoing welfare and the commitment by the Club to Tuck's immediate future.

Preceding the events of the past week, the Club along with Tuck's management had been assessing his options for AFL football in 2011, as his spot on the Hawthorn list had become uncertain.

In presenting Tuck's condition of clinical depression to the AFL Tribunal yesterday, it was communicated by a leading medical advisor that it would be ideal to keep Tuck in an environment where structure and routine training would support him in his ongoing treatment and provide him continued motivation to improve.

Tuck is still a Hawthorn listed player with his contract set to expire at the end of the year. At a very minimum the Club will commit to the following, utilising recent changes in AFL rules:

- keep its final rookie list spot open until March 2011

- select Travis Tuck as one of its training squad and continue to support him financially

- consider Travis Tuck for the final rookie spot in March 2011

If Travis is not selected in the Rookie draft, and Travis wishes, the Club will apply for him to be placed on the Club's 'inactive' list and continue to support him as a player at Box Hill. The Club and Travis would then have the option of re-listing him at the end of 2011 season.

In addition to the above footballing initiatives the Club will be doing everything possible to support Travis in his health and well-being.

Not a happy team at Hawthorn

After Travis Tuck was suspended by the AFL for 12 matches after his Friday night overdose led to a third positive test to illegal drugs, Hawthorn could barely hide its fury over being kept in the dark by the AFL over its player's clinical depression and drug issue.