Two investigations are currently underway into activity at the Bombers, by ASADA and an independent body.
The investigations have brought governance processes and the role of medical officials into the spotlight across the League.
“It’s disturbing, and it highlights why we need a governance review,“ Harcourt said on Wednesday.
“In many respects the doctor is well placed to be able to make a good judgment as to what sort of interventions are occurring at clubs and whether or not players are at risk.
“I think it is an issue.”
No change is expected until the conclusion of the Essendon investigations, but the AFL has already moved to research governance methods and responsibilities at all 18 clubs.
“At the moment there’s an investigation going on. There’s been a quick audit which has gone out to the clubs too, just to get an overall perspective of what’s happening around all the clubs,” Harcourt said.
“Once we’ve got that back, and once we’ve had a chance to see the early stages of the investigation, there’ll be a more thorough audit that looks at the governance arrangements and the relationships of different elements of the athlete’s support services within the club.
“So this will be a long process.”
