Performance enhancing supplements became a hot topic in football circles after AFL club Essendon called for the Australian drug authorities to investigate the club.
LEADING Hampden league players and coaches say they are confident risky supplement use is not prevalent in the competition.
Representatives of the clubs contacted yesterday said supplement use in the league was limited to common over-the-counter powders.
Performance enhancing supplements became a hot topic in football circles after AFL club Essendon called for the Australian drug authorities to investigate the club.
Bombers officials on Tuesday said evidence about the club’s supplement use in 2012 warranted independent investigation.
Former Koroit coach Chris McLaren said he believed supplement use in the HFNL was above board.
“I’ve played against guys with No Doze and stuff like that, but they’re just caffeine tablets,” he said.
“In those health food places you can get energy gels and stuff you can pump in before half-time that’ll give you a kick, but that’s energy relief.”
Warrnambool coach Scott Carter said he believed he knew what was going on in the league “and I haven’t heard of anything along those lines”.
South Warrnambool playing coach Matthew Peake said there was no reason for grassroots footballers to go down that path.
“When you’re at the elite level, you’re trying to get the absolute most out of your body in order to have a career,” he said.
“At the same time, down here at country level, I don’t necessarily think that’d be a driving force to take those supplements.”
afawkes@fairfaxmedia.com.au