MICK Malthouse has blasted the AFL over what he called its"disturbing" silence regarding Jobe Watson's admission over drug use,accusing the game's administrators of lacking leadership.
Watson sent the AFL world into a spin on Monday night whenhe admitted on Fox Footy's On the Couch programhe had taken the banned anti-obesity drug A0D-9604.
It has since led to a raft of comments from figures in thegame and in international sport over what sanctions should follow and whether Watsonshould be allowed to continue playing.
The AFL said on Tuesday it would notprovide a running commentary on the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authorityinvestigation into Essendon's 2012 supplements program, but indicated Watsonwould be free to continue playing.
"There is no intention to pre-emptthe investigation, which is ongoing, and we'll let it take its course," anAFL spokesperson told AFL.com.au.
Watson liable for drug use: WADA
Speaking in Sydney ahead of his Carlton side's clash withthe Sydney Swans on Friday night, Malthouse was stunned by the AFL's reluctanceto become involved.
"I suspect that most people in football thought allJobe said was just clarification of what had been said previously,"Malthouse said.
"I think it's certainly opened Pandora's Box. Or maybeit had already been opened and this is another one inside there.
"But we've heard from Essendon, we've heard from a lotof football clubs, but interestingly enough the one massive surprise in my bookis we haven't heard from the AFL at all.
"I find that disappointing, disturbing and this is atime when people from the AFL have to stand up and show real leadership - notlet the back pages hang out there and murder a player at Essendon or Essendonthemselves, come out and give some clarity on issues."
Malthouse believes it is up to the AFL to act anddecide what punishment, if any, Watson or the Bombers should face.
The veteran coach used the example of VFL player Matt Clark,now serving a two-year ban for steroid use, and Richmond player Justin Charles,who was handed a 16-game suspension in 1997 for also testing positive to ananabolic steroid.
"Precedents have been set. A young boy (Clark) wasbanned for some time for steroid use," Malthouse said.
"Justin Charles was suspended.
"One would suspect that with that information nowavailable, I think the football world is hanging on to something being releasedfrom the AFL in regard to where that player and his club and football ingeneral sit."
Malthouse added it wasn't for him to suggest any possiblepunishment, calling on the AFL to lead the way in the difficult issue.
"It's not for me to do that, it's the governance of thegame and that is the AFL Commission," he said.
"They endorse an administration to act on their behalf,so one would suspect we're all waiting to find out what the AFL are thinking atthis stage.
"I haven't heard from a person, haven't read anythingor seen anything, so that covers most of the media with any reference at all tothe AFL or its commission.
"I think we need a leading light in this area.
"It can't be just left to the media's opinion andWatson's statement that has just left the football world thinking, 'Well, whatis going to happen?'."
James Dampney is a reporter for AFL.com.au. Follow himon Twitter: @AFL_JD
