St Kilda were made aware of Sam Fisher’s drug issues a DECADE ago

Sam Fisher reportedly told St Kilda of his drug use issues a decade ago, with unnamed officials revealing how they tried to steer the troubled former AFL player back on track in the wake of his arrest.

The 39-year-old was charged with trafficking commercial quantities of illicit drugs after a raid on a Melbourne property last Wednesday morning that saw detectives allegedly seize methylamphetamine, 1,4-Butanediol and a Mercedes-Benz. 

The episode has once again opened up discussion on drug use in the AFL, with Fisher’s former Saints team-mate Nick Riewoldt claiming the level of support for players exiting the AFL system is one of the biggest issues facing the league and players’ union, declaring ‘enough is enough’.

Now, the Herald Sun reports that officials at St Kilda were informed of Fisher’s drug problems by the player himself back in 2012.

An unnamed source said: ‘He opened up about his challenges and that was when the doctor was brought in.

‘From that point, everything was through the doctor and that gave him some level of support and he worked with Sam over a quite a period of time.’

Sympathy has poured in for the 39-year-old since his arrest last week. 

In one instance, Fisher reportedly clashed with the Saints because he wanted to take a trip to Las Vegas in the 2012-13 off-season, despite his drug problems.

‘He was on a slippery slope which he had already acknowledged to the club – and people have to help themselves, too – and he wanted to go Las Vegas,’ a former official said.

‘At the time he was counselled strongly about looking after himself in the post-season and probably going to Las Vegas and putting yourself potentially in compromising positions when you’re trying to rehabilitate wouldn’t be a super idea.

‘It was strongly recommended not to go.’

Fisher made the overseas trip where he attended three weddings involving his St Kilda team-mates – including Riewoldt. 

The club also attempted to have Fisher undertake an interview where he would detail his battle with drugs, but the 39-year-old was not in the right mental space to take that step. 

The 39-year-old was arrested last week for alleged drug trafficking in Melbourne, Victoria

The Herald Sun has detailed how St Kilda chiefs tried to get Fisher back on the right path

Since his arrest, episodes involving Fisher turning up to training worse for wear have emerged, while it has also been reported that he was escorted away from a St Kilda family day after appearing disheveled. 

But Fisher’s ordeal has triggered a debate among AFL chiefs and St Kilda officials, with the question as to whether enough is being done to look after former players raised. 

‘He would’ve got lost after retiring because he was all football. Sam is a lovely bloke, he was 100 per cent popular with his teammates,’ a former official added.

‘And to say he got no support from the club is not true.

‘There were discussions with the doctor and Sam was told he had to work with the doctor.

‘The AFL takes the view that it’s medical, so it’s medical privilege. It was between Sam and the doctor.’