AFL clubs are split down the middle about whether to retain the league's existing three-strike illicit drugs policy or whether a tougher two-strikes policy should be introduced, according to AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou.
The illicit drugs policy was one of the main agenda items at the meeting of club chief executives held north of Melbourne over the past two days.
Demetriou said the feedback from the club chief executives tended to mirror the views of club presidents who met with the league last week.
"I'd say that based on what we've heard thus far, there would probably be a 50/50 view on the three strikes and the two strikes," Demetriou said.
"It's not the perfect scenario but we will continue to speak to our stakeholders."
"We'll collaborate and we'll get information and consult and we're pretty proactive on this."
The AFL is under mounting pressure from the Federal Government which favours a 'zero tolerance' approach to illicit drugs providing for the public disclosure of any player who tests positive.
Under the AFL's existing policy, an offender's name is made public only after a third offence and the 'two strikes' approach has been put forward as a significant concession.
Demetriou said the door remains open for amendments to the AFL's policy and he reaffirmed that the league would co-operate with the Federal Government and other codes on the issue.
"If it needs improvement or tweaking or any modifications, that would be done at the end of the year," he said.
"It's a complex issue and everyone's got a view and most people agree that it's not the right view or the wrong view - everyone's entitled to have a view on this matter which is a very complex issue."
Demetriou said a presentation on research into player alcohol intake made a significant impression on the chief executives who agreed to look at issues relating to responsible drinking.
"The research showed that excessive use of alcohol was nearly always a factor in poor player behaviour," Demetriou said.
"Players who indulge in excessive drinking particularly immediately out of season in the vacation period were much more likely to get into altercations while socialising.
"There are certain things that we can all do as an industry that revolve around responsible drinking and … if we tackle this as an industry I think we can make great progress."