Illicit drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine were widely used at the club, Chick said in an interview with News Corp.

And club teammates took large doses of asthma pills, Xanax, Sudafed, Stilnox and Valium – some of which was provided through the Eagles.

Chick, who played for the club from 2003 to 2007, revealed he and former teammates Daniel Kerr and Ben Cousins took large doses of asthma drug prednisone, which is banned under anti-doping rules.

"At those levels it's the same as being a full-on meth addict," said Chick, who was allowed to take the drug along with Cousins and Kerr because they were all asthmatic.

"I couldn't even sit still on the bench," he said. "It smashes your system. I've since read a lot about it, we didn't know what was done to us. You feel bulletproof basically.

"I started taking the 20mgs and 5mgs tablets on game day but then it escalated up to 40 to 50mgs quickly.

"The lack of sleep, the depression, it affects your mental health, coping mechanisms, metabolic rates and causes memory loss and sleep issues. It's not a coincidence the three of us have had issues with substance abuse."

Chick said players would snort crushed Xanax and take Valium with vodka on flights.

He also revealed that a former Eagles figure handed out sedatives to players, and that a staffer hid players from drug testers, and covered for a player found by police in possession of Valium.

"One staffer even ushered a player out the back door that he knew would fail a drug test. He said the player was not at training and was home sick."

Chick said the drug culture was a result of poor leadership at the club.

"What went on at West Coast is due to lack of leadership from the top down," he said.

"Players' health should be more important than protecting the brand ... I don't think the premiership is tainted but it came at too high a price."

Club doctors would also offer caffeine tablets and Sudafeds, before the game and again at half-time, he said.

Fairfax Media has sought comment from West Coast.