DRUG users will be banned for a month and publicly named after a second strike in the AFL’s preferred revamp of its Illicit Drugs Policy.

Several clubs are pushing for a fine rather than a four-match suspension at the second infraction.

However the AFL has maintained a suspension must come before the third strike — the current trigger.

While talks between the league and the AFL Players Association are close to being finalised, a sticking point over when club bosses will be told about positive tests remains.

The Herald Sun last week reported players had resisted a push for club chiefs to be told of a first strike and that prospect remains off the table.

But some clubs are now concerned their players will face a four-week suspension and $5000 fine before they have been given the chance to counsel and educate them.

A new agreement between the league and players — who volunteer for illicit drugs testing — is likely as soon as next week, shortly after most players begin off-season breaks.

Players to record a first positive test are set to get a $5000 suspended fine and forced to have counselling and attend education sessions.

They will also be subject to heavy target testing. But their club bosses won’t be told.

Under the draft policy, players recording a second positive face afour-week ban and $5000 fine.

A third strike would trigger a doubling of the fine to $10,000 and a ban of 12 weeks.

The new policy will be reviewed before the players’ new collective bargaining agreement comes into force in time for the 2017 season.

Players with no strikes recorded will retain the opportunity to self-report their drug use and not record a strike on one occasion only.

It is believed players’ hair tests — the number of which has been increased in and out of competition — will not be used as the basis for strikes but will continue to be used for ­research and to guide target testing of players.

There had been widespread industry agreement this year the 10-year-old three-strikes system was in need of review.

The plight of Collingwood’s Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas, who copped two-year bans for using a performance enhancing substance they believe was “cut” into the illicit drugs they admit using — has added urgency to the review.

While players who record second strikes face are set to be “named”, it is expected the new policy will mean the end of public reporting of broader player strikes data.