David Koch blasts the AFL over bombshell allegations about the league’s secret drug tests: ‘It’s beyond belief’
- Koch labeled the code’s drug test bomb ‘incredible’
- aFL greats Garry Lyon and Mick Malthouse were equally shocked
- ‘Off the book’ drug tests revealed by federal MP Andrew Wilkie
Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has criticized the AFL after a politician accused the league of covering up stars’ positive drug test results, saying the allegations are ‘unbelievable’.
This is followed by Federal MP Andrew Wilkie airing the explosive allegations in Parliament on Tuesday, with the AFL confirming that secret testing had taken place.
“I’m reluctant to comment because I only know what we all read in the newspaper and the allegations,” Koch told FIVEaa.
“Clearly the AFL will be looking into this closely. It seems implausible to me to have a deliberate route to avoid testing.
‘If you are a serious competitor signing up for WADA (World Anti Doping Agency) procedures, you would think that every ‘I’ would be dotted and every ‘T’ crossed to do the right thing.
Power boss David Koch is in a state of disbelief after allegations were laid against the AFL in federal parliament on Tuesday evening.
AFL great Garry Lyon (pictured with Demons coach Simon Goodwin after winning the 2021 grand final) was equally stunned
“So I’m as shocked as anyone.”
Koch’s scathing criticism comes at a time when Melbourne Demons great Garry Lyon believes Wilkie’s explosive claims will result in further scrutiny surrounding the code’s controversial three-strikes policy.
“Everyone has been saying the same thing in football for almost 18 years,” he said on SEN Breakfast on Wednesday.
“How can you have a three-strike drug system that catches one person?”
“Now there will be suspicion on anyone who withdraws too late… the average fan will say, ‘Oh, late withdrawal, what’s going on here?’
AFL Hall of Fame coach Mick Malthouse is still struggling to understand Wilkie’s revelations.
‘It’s quite annoying, it’s such a surprise. I can’t believe how angry I am,” Malthouse told the Today show.
‘We have an obligation to the health of the players and an obligation to the game… we want players to play good football, without compromise.
AFL Hall of Fame coach Mick Malthouse told Today: ‘This is almost on the same level as the Essendon saga – in fact, it could go even further’
‘This is almost on the same level as the Essendon saga – in fact, it could go even further. This suggests that AFL officials are involved.
‘It’s just so damning… that every player, every club official and especially the club doctors are now under scrutiny.
‘I have been in football for fifty years, and you think: how is this possible?’
Former Hawthorn and Gold Coast player Campbell Brown also claimed the current illegal drug allegations against the AFL are the “biggest controversy” since the Essendon drugs scandal.