- Shaw led Magpies to premiership in 1990
- Crosisca fought against drugs for 25 years
- The pair were discussing the AFL’s illicit drug policy.
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Collingwood great Tony Shaw bluntly told former teammate Gavin Crosisca on live radio that he would have fired him if he had been aware of his ongoing problem with illicit drugs during his days as a decorated player.
The pair won the AFL premiership together in 1900, but Shaw had no hesitation in saying he would have shown Crosisca the door.
They were discussing drug code policy in light of reports that up to 100 players have allegedly been granted secret immunity under the sport’s three-strikes policy.
Last week, the AFL was rocked after Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie briefed federal parliament on allegations raised by former Melbourne Demons club doctor Zeeshan Arain and the football club’s president, Glen Bartlett.
Wilkie alleged that football stars who tested positive for drugs in secret tests then faked injuries to avoid testing positive on match days.
Collingwood great Tony Shaw has bluntly told former teammate Gavin Crosisca that he would have sacked him if he had known of his ongoing problem with illicit drugs during his playing days.
Gavin Crosisca (right) battled a drug habit for 25 years in the AFL as a player and coach.
Crosisca, a daily cannabis user since the age of 16 (pictured, playing against comedian Dave Hughes in a 2014 legends match), switched to amphetamines and also battled alcohol and gambling vices.
The AFL responded by stating that they did not apologize, explaining that they were committed to the “welfare and well-being of the players” and that by not taking the field, the players were not breaking doping rules.
Speaking on 3AW Radio, Shaw didn’t mince his words.
“I don’t think I’ve ever told you this,” Shaw told Crosisca.
“If I’d known you were on drugs when I was captain at Collingwood, I’d have wanted you fired.”
Crosisca responded by stating that he was “aware” of Shaw’s strong views on illicit drugs, before confirming that it would have been “catastrophic” for him if the Pies had dropped him at that stage of his career.
It comes after Crosisca admitted leading a “double life” in 2012, revealing he was addicted to alcohol, cannabis and speed during his time in top-flight football.
His habits cost the AFL player-turned-coach his home, his business, his financial stability and, at one point, his family.
‘I used to go to bed every night telling myself that was it, nothing more. “I have a lot to lose,” she said. Fox Sports.
‘I have a beautiful wife, I have three wonderful children, what am I doing? I would go to bed and pray, just to help me get through this, let me stop.
And the next morning all I think about is dialing again. For years I had that feeling of total helplessness over my addiction.’
Crosisca hit rock bottom when he planned to stage a robbery at a pub he co-owned in order to raise the $60,000 raised to feed his drug addiction, before eventually getting sober.
In his playing days, he admitted that he often boarded interstate flights with joints on him and was often terrified that a sniffer dog would alert authorities.
He wants his story to be a warning to other football stars to make sure they stay on the right path.
Crosisca is now director of Sober Living Rehab in Melbourne and also works with Collingwood’s wellbeing department.