St Kilda coach Ross Lyon says he can solely assume former participant Harley Balic was receiving medical therapy and assist for illicit drug use whereas taking part in, after Balic’s father hit out on the AFL’s illicit drug coverage.
Balic died in 2022, aged 25, after battling drug dependancy.
His case was reportedly referenced in an announcement by former Melbourne Demons physician Zeeshan Arain which was offered to Sports activities Integrity Australia by federal MP Andrew Wilkie final month.
That triggered an investigation by SIA.
Balic performed 4 video games for Fremantle, when Lyon was coach, earlier than transferring to the Demons and retiring on the finish of the 2017 season.
“I used to be very near Harley. I had a private relationship with him, spent a whole lot of time one-on-one with Harley,” Lyon mentioned.
“If the AFL illicit coverage is actually about that medical mannequin, my expertise of what Harley shared with me, he clearly sat in the place he wanted assist and medical consideration.
“As a result of I’ve no visibility of what occurs behind the scenes, I simply make the judgement that that occurred.”
In accordance with the Herald Solar, Balic’s father Eddie mentioned his son may have been saved if extra folks had been made conscious of his drug points.
“I imagine that the AFL has an obligation of care to formally intervene early into younger weak gamers who’ve been recognized as having substance abuse points,” he mentioned.
“I additionally really feel that had higher assist been put in place early for my son, it could have prevented this tragic end result.”
Present Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir could not verify if SIA had contacted the membership as a part of its investigation however mentioned the solutions to Eddie Balic’s questions lay with the AFL.
“I sympathise with Harley’s dad, I can solely think about what he is going by means of,” Longmuir mentioned.
“I feel it begins with what are they (the AFL) making an attempt to realize with the coverage, and off the again of that, these choices on who greatest helps gamers, and who greatest helps them obtain what they’re making an attempt to realize by means of the coverage.
“Whether or not that is coaches realizing, whether or not that is assist employees realizing, I am uncertain.
“I do know the coverage has good intent, possibly the execution wants enhancing, particularly on this scenario.
“Perhaps the assist of the gamers must be extra widespread than the medical doctors.”
The AFL is at the moment reviewing the illicit drug coverage.
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Posted 15h ago15 hours agoWed 24 Apr 2024 at 4:39am, up to date 12h ago12 hours agoWed 24 Apr 2024 at 7:37am
