So the AFL has finally decided to follow every other major sporting
organisation in the world and sign up to the World Anti-Doping Agency
code.

Sports Minister Rob Kemp said in a media release
yesterday: “The AFL indicated its position following a meeting in
Melbourne today, which included representatives from the Australian
Sports Commission and the Australian Sports Drug Agency.”

He described the AFL’s announcement as “welcome news,” adding that AFL chief
executive Andrew Demetriou indicated the league would become WADA code
compliant by 1 November.

And The Australian
reported “a clearly annoyed AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou
refused to answer questions following yesterday’s meeting.” Greg Denham
wrote: “The league had been prepared to forfeit millions of dollars of
federal government funding contingent on the league signing up to the
World Anti-Doping Agency code.”

Hang on a minute. The AFL has got to be one of the biggest businesses
in sports in the land. Why is it on the public t*t – especially
given its grudging attitude to its responsibilities as role models
on drugs in sport and recreational substance abuse? What a waste of
taxpayers’ money.

Drug fiends on the dole! Shame, shame, shame! Where’s Hinch when you need him?