RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has backed AFL senior management to review and change the League's illicit drugs policy.
Hardwick said he was disappointed to see photos of Gold Coast player Harley Bennell on the front page of News Corp papers, saying the Suns and the AFL were only dealing with the issue like any group or family in society.
"It's a community issue overall and from a footy perspective we're no different," he said.
"As a father of three, it's an issue, no doubt about that."
Hardwick suggested it was inappropriate to put the compromising photo on the front page.
"I feel for the player on the front of the paper, I don't think it's something we should be putting there," he said.
He backed the approach of the club and the league in putting Bennell's health first.
"The key component here is the welfare of the player," he said.
"It's really important and something the AFL in general do very well.
"We just have to make sure we continue to educate our players on the risks associated with (illicit drugs)."
Hardwick said he had full confidence in AFL football boss Mark Evans and chief executive Gillon McLachlan to navigate the challenges at the Suns and complete the league's review into the "three strikes" illicit drugs policy.
"A policy put in place 10 years ago, like anything you put in 10 years ago, we outgrow that.
"We've got to continue to set the agenda with this."
Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said dealing with illicit drugs was a challenge for clubs.
"We've got young men all out of different environments in a high pressure situation away from home, and things are going to go wrong," he said.
"They're going to need some mentoring and some guidance, and in a sense a father figure at times. Support the person and challenge the behaviour when it's not the behaviour you want."
