AFL needs to name and shame dopes

Amidst the fluury of attention over the US election, the AFL broke the news today seven clubs had been fined for breaking rules relating to the league's anti-doping code. The AFL alleged clubs had not supplied information regarding certain player's whereabouts, resulting in fines. The league requires clubs to supply the whereabouts for drug-testing purposes.

While the league itself admits the clubs (Hawthorn, West Coast, Geelong, Collingwood, Essendon, Western Bulldogs and St. Kilda) most likely made a mistake rather than intentionally not supplying the information, it does relate to a long-standing view I've had about drug testing. For years I've taken issue with the league's policy, particularly their three-strikes rule. This rule means players who fail a drug test are only named and shamed on the third failed test.

What message is this sending to everyone? Apparently illict drug taking in the AFL is ok, as long as you're only caught twice. Three times is bad, but twice, eh, you'll be let off the hook.