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Thursday May 17, 2012

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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

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AFL's full and unedited statement regarding Travis Tuck

RELATED AUDIO:

Reserved fury - Hawks CEO not happy club was kept in the dark

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

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

Video

AFL legend's son overdoses

Jim Stynes was inspirational as ever at 3AW today 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 Your Say

  • 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

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