Welcome to 3AW. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content.

3AW - Fairfax Radio Network

Wednesday May 22, 2013

What we're talking about

Collingwood CEO raises drug concerns

Posted by: Ellen Feely | 28 November, 2012 - 7:24 AM
Collingwood CEO Gary Pert (FFX)

Magpies chief executive Gary Pert has told Sports Today he doesn't believe a drug problem exists within the AFL.

This morning, the front page of the Herald Sun claimed Pert was concerned about a 'growing illegal drug culture in football'.

LISTEN: Gary Pert speaks with Sports Today

Pert said he was surprised the amount of attention his comments at the CEOs conference had garnered.

"It's not like I'm coming out saying I think there's drugs in the AFL," he said.

"I brought it up at the CEOs' conference really (to say that) clubs are dealing with this individually and so is the AFL to a point.

"All I did was say I think we should be dealing with an industry issue as an industry and lets work on this together."

Pert said the AFL and clubs were actively working to ensure support systems were in place to help players affected by drugs.

"One thing the club can't stop is young men actually making bad decisions and that occurs in our broader community and every day," he said.

"There's no doubt that that's within the AFL as well, and as far as I'm concerned...even if we've got one or two that are experimenting with drugs and potentially this becoming part of their lifestyle, then really we've got an issue."

Pert said all chief executives were responsible for the cultures of their clubs, and a streamlined system on dealing with drugs in AFL needed to be worked towards to protect the clubs, supporters and sponsors.

On the issue of clubs not being notified when a player records a first strike, Pert said he could appreciate both sides of the argument.

"There's no doubt that as a club, we would like to have that information because we think then we could provide better support if we had that," he said.

"But we appreciate that at the heart of the program, confidentiality must be maintained."

LISTEN: Jon Anderson discusses the drug issue on 3AW Breakfast:

Having problems listening? Upgrade your media player for Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Firefox.

(Click here to listen to the audio in a pop-up window)

Share

Don't drink and dive

Life saving. (Photo: Colleen Petch) DERRYN HINCH: We see lots of advertisements, we hear lots of campaigns about the road toll. Don’t drink and drive. If you drink and drive, you’re a bloody idiot. Maybe we need a new slogan for another form of alcohol-induced death and injury.

 

Blog comments Your Say

  • Absolutely right gbh, mattâ??s comments are quite predictably moronic, spiteful & boring

    Jan Wednesday 28 November, 2012 - 11:18 AM

  • Like clockwork Matt. Get a new hobby. Your posts on this site are predictable and quite boring.

    gbh Wednesday 28 November, 2012 - 9:39 AM

  • Bogan sport with a bogan culture. Do they learn this behaviour at Auskick? Parents who let their kids play Aussie Ball should be charged with child abuse.

    Matt -proudly Un-Australian Wednesday 28 November, 2012 - 7:43 AM

Post a comment * Mandatory fields