Fremantle Dockers deny drug problems

Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich is adamant the club doesn't have a
wide-spread drug problem after suspending Michael Johnson for five AFL games.
Johnson, who has been charged by Western Australia police with possession of
cocaine, fronted the media briefly on Wednesday where he apologised for his actions
and vowed to become a better person, player and father.
Along with being suspended, Johnson was dropped from the club's leadership group and
fined $5000.
The 25-year-old father of two must also undergo drug counselling, will be
voluntarily target tested under the AFL's illicit drugs policy and has been
suspended from training with the club until May 31.
Johnson was allegedly caught with cocaine in the early hours of Sunday morning after
attending the engagement party of teammate Steven Dodd.
Rosich said there were no other Fremantle players present when Johnson was caught by
police and was certain Johnson's brush with drugs was a one-off event.
"We are certainly disappointed by the actions that Michael has taken on this one-off
instance on Saturday night under the influence of alcohol," Rosich said.
"Based on what Michael has told us we believe this is a one-off event.
"Michael's a valuable member of our playing squad, has been a valuable member of our
leadership group and a very good individual."
Johnson, who will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on July 5, will be available
for WAFL selection on June 21 but can't return to the Dockers' line-up until the
club's round 14 home clash with Port Adelaide on July 3.
"It has been a tough couple of days for me and my family," Johnson said.
"I would like to thank everyone out there who has sent their love and support, I
really appreciate it.
"I know it's going to be a tough couple of weeks for me but hopefully I can come
back to the footy club and become a better person, a better player and a better
father to my kids."
Rosich believed Johnson would receive a strike under the AFL's illicit drugs policy.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou maintained his support for the three-strikes
program.
"It supports our reasoning as to why you don't name and shame (after one or two
strikes), because you've seen the circus that goes around about a player who has
been caught, as Michael Johnson has," Demetriou said.
"Our policy is unashamedly not about punishment, it's about a player welfare model
which is all about the health and welfare of our players, it's about shifting
attitudes so they don't repeat."
While Johnson has been barred from training, he has been visited by several
teammates already and will still have access to the club's medical facilities.
He has also agreed to take part in an indigenous or drug and alcohol community program.
Johnson's penalty is similar to the one handed down by Geelong to premiership
forward Mathew Stokes, who was suspended until round eight after being caught by
police in February with a gram of cocaine.
The controversy surrounding Johnson has capped off a horror few days for the
Dockers, who lost to Collingwood on Friday night and had three key players injured
during the match.
Luke McPharlin (knee) has been ruled out for eight to 10 weeks, defender Greg
Broughton (foot) is out for four to six weeks and midfielder David Mundy (knee) is
in massive doubt for Saturday's clash with Sydney at the SCG.