AFL integrity guidlines already working despite no whistleblower line THE AFL says its changes to the integrity guidelines are already working, even though the league is yet to formally establish protocols for its whistleblower line. AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the measures including mandatory reporting, background checks on AFL staff and a boosted integrity service were having an effect. He said the league would not make integrity officers mandatory at clubs but believed players were already blowing the whistle after contacting the AFL to help in the fight against crime and drugs in football. AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou repeated his view yesterday that Essendon would not be prevented from playing out the year because of the scandal. It came despite the Herald Sun's report Essendon players might have taken two banned substances, and could have no letter from the World Anti-Doping Agency proving they were compliant. The AFL believes its background check on all staff at clubs will also weed out the criminal element and those who would seek to corrupt AFL players. But, while the AFL was keen to introduce integrity officers who would guard against wrongdoing in areas including sports science and adherence to the salary cap, some clubs have rebelled. They believe their boards and chief executives are effectively integrity officers, and will not join clubs such as Collingwood, Port Adelaide, West Coast and Brisbane who have officials filling that role. But McLachlan said: "I don't think there has been a backlash against them. There are some clubs who aren't going to hire them. There are different views but what we have done is encourage them given the scale of football departments and given the level of compliance required. It is almost a compliance officer to help coaches and football managers with a complicated set of compliance issues. Some people have them already, some clubs are looking to hire them and others don't want them and that's their prerogative. We have encouraged them, but not mandated them. The AFL said yesterday the whistleblower line was not yet officially established, with players being referred to the league's integrity department. The service will eventually use what the league says is an external independent provider, which ensures confidentiality. Demetriou said in February he was "very confident" Essendon would play out the season, and backed up those words yesterday. "To the best of my knowledge as it stands today, I still stand by those comments, particularly when you consider this investigation will probably take another two to three months," he said.