Drugs breach hard to Swallow

Andrew Swallow is frustrated by renegade players abusing the illicit drugs policy. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne captain Andrew Swallow has hit out at renegade players abusing the AFL's illicit drugs policy.

Swallow, 25, backed the league's three-strikes code but said the game's stars were being let down by a group of players exploiting loopholes in the system.

The three-time club best-and-fairest winner said it was frustrating for players and a concern for league chiefs that some players felt they could manipulate the policy.

"I think it's a worry that the processes that are put in place and the guidelines put in place exactly to help those people are being abused," Swallow told the Herald Sun.

"I think that's what annoys, especially the majority of the AFL.

"The policy that we've got might need to be tweaked, but it is looking after the welfare of the guys that need it.

"The guys that are abusing it, well, we expect better than that."

A loophole allowing players to dodge a drugs strike by self-reporting use is under the most scrutiny and is expected to be limited to one chance only.

One player is believed to have "self-reported" three times last year.

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Drugs breach hard to Swallow