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

Tuck becomes first three-strike player

Posted by: 3AW Football | 31 August, 2010 - 4:55 PM

Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck with his children, Renee, Shane and Travis, on his knee, in 1991.

Michael Tuck with children, Renee, Shane and Travis in 1991.

WEDNESDAY: The AFL has defended its three strike policy which allowed Hawthorn player Travis Tuck to recieve medical treatment for a drug problem without his club knowing.

AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson told Neil Mitchell the League could not risk club's making rash decisions regarding drugs.

Watch Video: Neil Mitchell's say and AFL's response

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

UPDATE: Hawthorn's Travis Tuck, who earlier today became the AFL's first player to test positive for illegal drugs for a third time following his overdose on Friday night, has been given a 12-week ban.

The Hawks CEO, Stuart Fox, said the 'clinically depressed' Tuck is now coping well after his overdose from a drug believed to be GHB.

Tuck is eligible to play 'state league' footy after eight weeks provided he adheres to a number of strict conditions relating to his treatment and counselling.

AFL Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said the penalty and the league's 'illicit drug policy' has given Tuck a chance to revitalise his AFL career in the future.

Anderson made it clear Tuck had been receiving treatment for some time as a result of his previous positive illegal drug tests, which he says supports the league's controversial policy which has come under fire from some.

According to Anderson, Tuck had been 'responding to treatment' in the lead-up to Friday night's overdose on GBH, a drug which has such a bad reputation for overdose cases the Australian Drug Foundation told 3AW tonight it is not used by many Australians.

The incident on Friday night, which resulted in Tuck being admitted to hospital, was a 'relapse' and a 'bi-product of Tuck's severe clinical depression' according to Anderson.

Earlier today, Victoria Police told the Neil Mitchell program they would not charge Tuck with any criminal offence.

Meanwhile Hawthorn boss Fox responded to the sanction passed down by the AFL with what can only be described as reserved fury.

"The AFL Tribunal, in passing their sanction, accepted that Tuck's drug use was not recreational but a severe by-product of a medical condition. Firstly, our main priority is for the wellbeing of Travis and we will be doing everything possible to assist him as he deals with time out of the game and his issues, said Hawks CEO Fox.

"That said, the Club is deeply concerned it now finds one of its players suspended from the game under the AFL Illicit Drugs policy, without having been able to offer him a comprehensive network of support, guidance or counselling, and this is not to discredit the significant role our Club Doctor has played in managing this issue."

"Whilst the Club agrees that an Illicit Drugs policy is necessary, we are disappointed that we could not provide Travis with support after his first strike and just maybe we could have avoided this situation. But for now – and ongoing - the Club's main priority is the welfare and wellbeing of Travis."

Audio Below - Headspace discusses the warning signs

Denis Walter seeks help for parents out there

Video Below - Hawthorn President Jeff Kennett on Such Is Life

Video Below - Andrew Demetriou defends the AFL's drug policy

AFL legend's son overdoses

Travis Tuck, son of AFL Legend Michael Tuck, suffered an overdose after ingesting the drug known as GBH the night after the 'Such Is Life' documentary about Ben Cousins' drug use went to air. Watch Jim Stynes discuss Tuck and Matthew Newton.

Blog comments

It was a pleasure listening to Jeff Kennett ;
What job would you like in a leader capacity ; Jeff ?
afl CEO ? check !
premier of Vic ? check !
prime minister of Australia ? check !
As long as you have the right people behind you You will help this country in any capacity ..
.
I voted for you once , and Im a strict labor voter , but with a 'do the right thing morally' , streak .
And well done with Travis
Make him feel special , get dad to open up a bit maybe with a mediator , maybe Michael Carr Greg .
Go get 'em Jeff.
Have you noticed Labor has become so 'labor " its Liberal ?
And liberal has become lost .
And is it Laylor =Layor ?
so is it Lawbar = Lawlar ?
Thankyou.

steve Thursday 2 September, 2010 - 10:31 AM
Shane Warne took a banned substance, got paid for information by illegal bookies, cheated, and when he goes on the footy show he gets a standing ovation!He should be made an example of if we are to stop his type of behaviour.

Neil Wednesday 1 September, 2010 - 4:36 PM
Can't believe they are going to prolong this kids agony.
Not every child of a champion becomes one themselves. Let the kid get on with his life away from football, it's only a game.

Serg of Tullamarine Wednesday 1 September, 2010 - 8:54 AM
Such is life Tuck!

Chad Tuesday 31 August, 2010 - 9:51 PM