AFL boss Gillon McLachlan continues to staunchly defend the controversial illicit drugs code, saying it strikes the right balance between carrot and stick.
McLachlan said on Sunday he feels for the first player who tests positive a second time under the reworked policy and has to cope with a four-game suspension.
The illicit drugs code, separate to the standard anti-doping policy, was back in a harsh spotlight late last month.
According to a newspaper report, up to 11 Collingwood players returned positive hair tests in the off-season.
On Friday, McLachlan blasted critics who want zero tolerance as zealots.
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Two days later, he said the revised policy, which reduced the number of "strikes" from three to two, had sufficient teeth.
"There's a fair stick there," he told the ABC.
"The first player who has a second strike and misses four games ... will have a very tough time of it.
"That's a significant deterrent, we hope."
McLachlan added that there must be a significant welfare and education element to the code as they aim to stop players doing illicit drugs.
"This balance between education, welfare and a stick as well - I think we have that right," he said.
"I don't know any parent who would want to out their child the very first time an 18-year-old kid makes a mistake - hang them out and shame them publicly.
"No expert, whether they be police or experts in this area or doctors, says it's the right approach either."
