Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has called for revamp of the AFL’s illicit drugs policy, saying the current model does not satisfactorily look after the “99 per cent” of players who do not use drugs.

Beveridge said the policy did not protect the vast majority of players, and is adamant players did not withdraw from games to avoid match day testing, as alleged by federal MP Andrew Wilkie in parliament on Tuesday.

AFL chief Andrew Dillon has told clubs the league will continue with a health-based drugs policy but changes are likely. Even senior club doctors are supportive of the current policy have acknowledged there is a need for tweaks to be made.

A longtime critic of the policy, Beveridge said the AFL Players Association, who must consent for any changes to be made, needed to look after all players.

“All I want is for the new model to cater for the people who don’t take illicit drugs,” Beveridge said.

“I want it to cater for the vast majority, the 99 per cent of the playing cohort who don’t take it.

“This is where the PA and their attitude and their perception of how clubs would manage situations forget that the playing cohort are affected by it as well.

“They’re trying to play in winning teams, in premiership teams, and all staff want to do is is support their playing group and each other. The current model doesn’t do that.

“Whatever it is, take that in and be mindful that people in the industry need to be supported by whatever the new model is as well.“

Veteran midfielder Jack Macrae will play his first game of the season on Sunday against West Coast after starring with 46 possessions in the VFL last week.

Beveridge said the three-time All Australian, a notable exclusion in the opening two rounds, now had the required match fitness to play in the senior side after an interrupted preseason.

Beveridge was critical of analysts in the media who said Macrae was no longer playing in the midfield based on reduced centre bounce attandances.

“Jack played as a midfielder last year. He might not been in as many centre bounces but go and have a look at all the other stoppages outside of it. And where is he? He’s at them,” Beveridge said.

“I think some accurate sort of analysis and reporting around that is important. Most teams these days generally are playing with five forwards. If that’s the case, that sixth forward is by and large playing as a midfielder.

“Jack will definitely play as a midfielder. How many centre bounces he’ll be in, I can’t tell you.“

The Dogs are not using last year’s shock defeat to the Eagles, which cost them a finals berth, as extra motivation but Beveridge said players were stung by the loss.

“I know they’ll be feeling there’s a stigma attached to what happened last year,” Beveridge said.

“I think there’ll be some kind of response here but by and large, week to week, we’re trying to establish some momentum in the competition and it wouldn’t matter if it was in the Eagles or anyone else.“

Skipper Marcus Bontempelli and star forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan are both battling injuries but are likely to play after looking comfortable at training on Friday.