As Thursday's report into Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport continues to reverberate, Finnis described its content as some of "the most disturbing, alarming revelations that I can think of."
He said it highlighted the importance of strong governance processes to ensure people in positions of authority were acting properly and re-emphasised the critical position of the club doctor in ensuring the players' health and welfare was protected.
"For some time now we have been concerned about the potential diminution of the authority and role of club doctors," Finnis told radio SEN.
"We have got all the ammunition that we need coming out of [Thursday's] report to deal with this in black and white now."
The AFL had backed the authority of doctors and their primary position within a club and worked with the AFL Sports Science Association to establish protocols for all clubs to adhere to.
He admitted that some players were possibly too trusting, making the point that while it did not abrogate responsibility it possibly mitigated their culpability in some cases.
"We have to understand the context where players are brought into the club at a young age," he said
"It is a highly regulated, highly directed environment.
"Players are told where to be, what to take, what to do at training and they have the trust and confidence in the people that are guiding them that way."
However Finnis said the report was a huge wake-up call for the vast majority of players who wanted a level playing field and pure performance.
"We can't be too vigilant," Finnis said.
