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Drugs in Sport

AFLVideoCommentsIntegrity body wants oversight of AFL illicit drug code

Australia's anti-doping body has cleared the AFL of bombshell allegations, while calling for oversight of the league's controversial illicit drugs policy.

Roger Vaughan

opinion
opinion
AFLCommentsPremium
opinion
AFL’s drug loopholes encourage players to keep taking them

The AFL’s “unapologetic” stance over its drugs cover-up is full of contradictions. The league should never allow young players to be in any doubt over what is right and what is wrong.

Mitchell Johnson

AFLVideoCommentsPremiumLongmuir: I trust AFL’s policy on illicit drugs

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has backed the league’s drug policy after it was thrust into the spotlight by bombshell parliamentary claims this week. 

Jackson Barrett

AFLVideoCommentsPremiumGovernment agency ‘assessing’ bombshell footy drug claims

Bombshell claims the AFL drug tests players who have used illicit substances in a bid to dodge breaches of a global code are now being assessed by Sport Integrity Australia. 

Jackson Barrett

Sport scandalVideoCommentsPremium‘Unapologetic’: AFL won’t back down over drug policy

The AFL has confirmed it does allow club doctors to ‘take steps to prevent a player from taking part’ in training and games if they have been found to have an illicit substance in their system. 

Jake Santa Maria, Jackson Barrett & AAP

AFL VideoCommentsPremium‘It’s news to me,' Goodwin denies secret illicit drug tests

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has faced the media to deny any knowledge of secret drug testing after parliamentary claims the AFL has been covering up drug use by faking player injuries.

Jake Santa Maria

AFLVideoPremiumAFL accused of covering up drugs with fake injuries

A former AFL club doctor alleges he conducted secret drug tests on players at a major Victorian club, and if players tested positive, then the club would have them fake injuries to avoid officials.

Jackson Barrett

opinion
opinion
GEORGIE PARKER CommentsPremium
opinion
Records actually AREN’T made to broken

Records lose their gravitas if they’re being broken week after week and The Enhanced Games only serves to inflate egos, and wallets, not showcase brilliance, writes Georgie Parker

Georgie Parker

‘Investigation finalised’VideoCommentsWA Olympian Bol cleared of drug doping violation

WA Olympian Peter Bol has been acquitted of drug doping after the body investigating a positive EPO sample he returned confirmed it would drop its probe after his sample proved to be a false positive.

Jonathon Nolan

‘catastrophic failure’VideoCommentsIndependent testing clears Olympian Bol of drug use

Two independent laboratories have cleared Perth’s Olympic athlete Peter Bol of the use of the banned drug Erythropoietin.

Jonathon Nolan

First lookRevealed: Stars joining SAS Australia 2023

Controversial sportsmen, a convicted drug dealer and a scandal-hit actor headline the famous faces for Channel 7’s most punishing season yet of SAS Australia.

Andrei Harmsworth

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
‘blessing in disguise’CommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Drug saga fallout rules Peter Bol out of nationals

West Australian athlete Peter Bol has ruled out a return to competition at the national titles in Queensland later this month.

Glen Quartermain

‘I’m innocent’Bol taking lie detector test in desperate bid to clear name

Peter Bol will take a lie detector test in a desperate bid to clear his name after the Olympic hero was caught up in doping allegations.

Drug ShockVideoPremiumPeter Bol needs more than words to prove he didn’t take EPO

Aussie Olympian Peter Bol has declared he’s innocent after testing positive to EPO but one of the nation’s top anti-doping experts says he’s heard that argument from other athletes before.

Craig O'Donoghue

ExplainerWhy is Peter Bol’s failed doping test such a big deal?

Sport and athletics fans have been left in shock this week after West Australian Olympic hero Peter Bol was suspended from competition for failing a doping test. But what exactly is EPO?

Aaron Kirby

Olympic heroVideo‘I didn’t do anything wrong’: Bol opens up over EPO claims

WA Olympic hero Peter Bol has spoken at length about how ‘shocked’ he was when he was told he had allegedly tested positive for a banned substance and has declared ‘I didn’t do anything wrong.’

Phil Hickey

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Must readCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
How Rioli can help ex-Eagle, Sport Integrity Australia

Former West Coast defender Eric Mackenzie has started working with Sport Integrity Australia and his relationship with former teammate Willie Rioli could form an unlikely partnership.

Craig O'Donoghue

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
Shock decisionVideoCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
REVEALED: West Coast decide on Willie penalty

The Eagles have made a call on Willie Rioli’s future at the club after his latest drug-related indiscretion.

Ryan Daniels

Welfare worryVideoCommentsPremiumWhy staff cut could hinder a Rioli return

West Coast have to consider how to help Willie Rioli off the field if he returns, despite having fewer staff following COVID-19 changes.

Craig O'Donoghue

opinion
opinion
Ryan DanielsVideoCommentsPremium
opinion
Willie the biggest test of Eagles’ new culture yet

In Australia we like to call a spade a spade. But if you go to Bunnings and look for a spade, there are heaps. Things aren’t simple, as the Willie Rioli case demonstrates.

Ryan Daniels

What’s next?PremiumEmotions & deadlines: How Eagles decide Rioli’s fate

West Coast chief executive Trevor Nisbett has outlined the ins and outs of the club’s decision regarding Willie Rioli’s future.

Mark Duffield

Staying silentVideoCommentsPremiumSports Integrity boss refuses to explain Willie delay

Sport Integity Australia CEO David Sharpe has gone to ground following Willie Rioli’s two-year suspension, refusing to answer questions about the organisation’s processes or the forward’s case.

Craig O'Donoghue

opinion
opinion
EditorialCommentsPremium
opinion
The game’s better for having Willie back

In a pre-season week that’s been dominated by political tumult and scandal, suddenly footy was all anyone could talk about — as West Coast’s Willie Rioli finally learnt his AFL football fate.

Official confirmationVideoFULL statement from Willie, Eagles, AFL on Rioli’s ban

The AFL has confirmed Willie Rioli will be eligible to play AFL from August 20 this season, while also stating the two-year penalty can no longer be appealed. SEE THE FULL STATEMENTS HERE.

Bonnie Raynor