Ex-Brisbane Lions skipper Jonathan Brown says he is not surprised that a cocaine investigation has rocked Queensland sport and believes the AFL’s three strikes policy needs to be toughened up.

Brown admits charges against ex-Gold Coast Suns player Karmichael Hunt as part of the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission’s investigation into the state’s cocaine trafficking syndicate should be a wake up call to all AFL players.

However, he believed it would be naive to think drugs were not a temptation for “any professional athlete.”

Apart from Hunt, Gold Coast Titans NRL players Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa have been issued with court notices to face drug supply charges.

They have been stood down pending their court appearances in the next fortnight.

The CCC has predicted more arrests in the coming days.

“I think we’d be naive to think there wouldn’t be some players taking them (drugs) in the AFL as well,” Brown said on Wednesday.

“It (CCC investigation) probably doesn’t really totally surprise everyone does it?

“In society, drugs is a big problem.

“It’s always going to find its way into professional sport, especially when the people are involved are on big wages and a very public profile.

“There’s a lot of temptation for the young athletes nowadays, for any professional athlete.”

Brown said the AFL’s three strikes policy – which allows players two positive returns before being punished for a third – had merit but needed to be addressed.

“They need to look at the penalties being tightened up a bit more because maybe it’s not working at the moment,” he said.

“The numbers say it’s worked well because the numbers (of positive tests) have gradually been decreasing while the tests have been going up.

“(But) would a stiffer penalty hanging over your head stop you from doing it, maybe make you think twice at two o’clock in the morning in a nightclub when you’re going to take the illicit substance?

“Personally I think it would.

“I’ve never been that way inclined, but potentially they might need to look at stiffer penalties.”

Brown said it was time athletes became better role models.

“We have to be real leaders in the community,” he said.

“I can’t understand why you would do it (take drugs) when you are a professional sportsman.

“I think we are in a very privileged and lucky position to be getting paid to play sports that we love.

“I think it’s time now for the athletes to stand up.”

Suns coach Rodney Eade said he was satisfied with the AFL’s three strikes policy.

“Some players resort to that as an outlet, as an escape,” Eade said.

“In the olden days it was alcohol. I don’t think we should be ready to judge that too quickly.

“The AFL and the doctors involved in the AFL, they’re right across it.

“Players, I understand, who get a strike, they have counselling … I’m certainly comfortable with that.”