Tay_
31-Aug-2010, 09:14 PM
THE AFL tribunal will sit tonight to decide a penalty for Hawthorn's Travis Tuck, the first AFL player to register a third positive drugs test.
Tuck, 23, was found unconscious in a car at midnight last Friday and treated by paramedics for a suspected drug overdose.
The incident constituted a third strike under the AFL's illicit drugs policy, which orders counselling for players after a first and second positive test.
He faces a penalty of up to 18 matches when the tribunal sits at 7pm tonight.
The Hawks issued the following statement this afternoon:
"Hawthorn Football Club has just been informed that the AFL has applied a third strike to Travis Tuck under the AFL illicit drug policy.
"The club has also been advised that a tribunal hearing will determine his sanction this evening at a closed hearing at the AFL
"The club will make further comment to its members at the conclusion of the hearing."
Tuck has not disputed the deemed third test.
It is believed he will not appear after admitting his actions, but the tribunal will hear from his drug counsellors and doctors. Drug experts will sit on the tribunal panel, which will be headed by former Victorian County Court judge John Hassett.
The case will be heard in private due to the sensitive nature of the hearing.
The AFL issued a statement saying Tuck "continues to be in the care of doctors who are treating him for a number of issues, including his illicit drug use. He is also still receiving counselling under the illicit drug policy."
Tuck, the son of Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck and brother of Richmond player Shane, has played 20 games for the Hawks but failed to crack the senior team this year
STRIKE OUT
HOW THE AFL'S ILLICIT DRUGS POLICY WORKS
Strike 1 - player, player's club doctor and AFL medical commissioner advised of the offence. Suspended $5000 fine imposed. Counselling and target testing follows.
Strike 2 - player, player's club doctor and AFL medical commissioner advised. Suspended sanction of six matches applied. More intense counselling and target testing.
Strike 3 - player is "deemed to have engaged in conduct unbecoming'' and ordered to appear before the AFL tribunal. Faces a suspension of up to 12 matches - PLUS the six-match suspended sentence for a maximum of 18 matches. The suspended $5000 sanction is also imposed.
* Strikes lapse after a four-year period.
* Subsequent offences - minimum 12-match suspensions apply for each offence.
Anyone needing help to deal with personal issues should contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au
Tuck, 23, was found unconscious in a car at midnight last Friday and treated by paramedics for a suspected drug overdose.
The incident constituted a third strike under the AFL's illicit drugs policy, which orders counselling for players after a first and second positive test.
He faces a penalty of up to 18 matches when the tribunal sits at 7pm tonight.
The Hawks issued the following statement this afternoon:
"Hawthorn Football Club has just been informed that the AFL has applied a third strike to Travis Tuck under the AFL illicit drug policy.
"The club has also been advised that a tribunal hearing will determine his sanction this evening at a closed hearing at the AFL
"The club will make further comment to its members at the conclusion of the hearing."
Tuck has not disputed the deemed third test.
It is believed he will not appear after admitting his actions, but the tribunal will hear from his drug counsellors and doctors. Drug experts will sit on the tribunal panel, which will be headed by former Victorian County Court judge John Hassett.
The case will be heard in private due to the sensitive nature of the hearing.
The AFL issued a statement saying Tuck "continues to be in the care of doctors who are treating him for a number of issues, including his illicit drug use. He is also still receiving counselling under the illicit drug policy."
Tuck, the son of Hawthorn legend Michael Tuck and brother of Richmond player Shane, has played 20 games for the Hawks but failed to crack the senior team this year
STRIKE OUT
HOW THE AFL'S ILLICIT DRUGS POLICY WORKS
Strike 1 - player, player's club doctor and AFL medical commissioner advised of the offence. Suspended $5000 fine imposed. Counselling and target testing follows.
Strike 2 - player, player's club doctor and AFL medical commissioner advised. Suspended sanction of six matches applied. More intense counselling and target testing.
Strike 3 - player is "deemed to have engaged in conduct unbecoming'' and ordered to appear before the AFL tribunal. Faces a suspension of up to 12 matches - PLUS the six-match suspended sentence for a maximum of 18 matches. The suspended $5000 sanction is also imposed.
* Strikes lapse after a four-year period.
* Subsequent offences - minimum 12-match suspensions apply for each offence.
Anyone needing help to deal with personal issues should contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au