Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin claims to have "no line-of-sight" over the AFL's confidential medical policy following explosive claims of an illicit drug cover-up regime taking place in the league.
Goodwin was questioned ceaselessly by reporters this morning about the allegations of an AFL drug cover-up scandal, given his own club's tumultuous off-season involving their own drug and behaviour problems and the club's own ex-doctor's involvement in the claims.
"That's information that I've got no idea about. This policy is an AFL policy, is an AFLPA policy," Goodwin told reporters.
"You're asking me questions that I have no line-of-sight over and it's something that I've never really thought about.
"I get the information that I'm required and the policy says that it's information that should remain confidential."
The claims were raised by federal MP Andrew Wilkie, who used parliamentary privilege to reveal that, according to a former Melbourne club doctor, players had been told to fake injuries if they had tested positive to illicit drugs in order to avoid detection and sanction.
Wilkie furthered his point with the claim that there is evidence of a wide-spread cocaine problem being suppressed by the AFL, calling on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to personally intervene on the matter.
Goodwin defended the club's current doctor and said that he is solely focused on his team's success, deflecting to the hands of the AFL and AFLPA.
"I've got enormous trust in our doctor... I'm not gonna question how they go about their business," he said.
"My job's to coach the footy team and that's all I'm focussed on.
"In terms of former staff I've got no real opinion on that," he added.
"This is an AFL policy, an AFLPA policy... they're the ones that are driving this policy, they're the ones that would see the success stories that sit within the policy."
While the claims involve the entire league, the involvement of a former Melbourne doctor puts significant stress onย Goodwin and the higher-ups at the Melbourne Football club should the allegations be investigated further within parliament.
Sydney coach John Longmire was also questioned about the allegations but provided no new information, similarly deflecting responsibility to the AFL office.
The AFL has since released a statement in the wake of the claims, while Melbourne focus on going 3-1 with an away win against Port Adelaide this Saturday night.
