AFL players could benefit from admitting to any drug-abuse or depression issues before they come to a head, according to Hawthorn assistant Adam Simpson.

The AFL's illicit drugs policy was thrust back into the spotlight this week after Hawks midfielder Travis Tuck became the first player to register a third strike under the system.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and president Jeff Kennett lamented the fact that Tuck's condition was kept secret from senior figures at the club until after the third strike was recorded, as per the AFL's drugs policy.

Simpson, who played 306 games with North Melbourne before joining the Hawks' coaching staff this year, felt players would be better served by being more open about the issues confronting them.

"I wouldn't expect it, but if I built up a close enough relationship with the players and you get to the point where you can talk openly about those issues, I can't see why you can't confide in someone who is as much a friend as they are a coach," Simpson said.

"I think every situation is different. A lot of those things are determined by the relationship you have with your coaches.

"I'm assuming if you get to know your players and the players get to know the coaches to the point where they can share that type of information, knowing they are going to do the right thing with that information, I can't see a problem with it.

"That's a personal thing I suppose with the players-coach relationship."

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