AFL boss gives players stern warning after Joel Smith ends career with horrendous cocaine ban

AFL boss Andrew Dillon says the four-year ban handed to Melbourne’s Joel Smith for dealing cocaine is a “useful lesson” for any player considering using banned substances.

The ban for Smith, who was suspended after it was revealed he tested positive for cocaine on match day in 2023, was confirmed on Friday afternoon for four years and three months, effectively ending his career in the 42-game AFL and bans him from playing football at any level until 2028.

Dillon welcomed the result, which came after a lengthy investigation that found Smith sent a text message to teammates asking if they wanted to share the drugs he obtained, leading to the trafficking charge.

“The outcome of this case, which resulted in Joel Smith being suspended for more than four years, reflects the seriousness with which the AFL views breaches of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code and is a valuable lesson for any player who uses prohibited substances that are prohibited by the WADA Code,” Dillon said.

“The use of performance-enhancing substances is strictly prohibited in Australian Football and the AFL will continue to work with Sport Integrity Australia to identify and prosecute the use of such substances in competition and other activities prohibited by the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.

“The AFL in no way condones the use of illegal drugs. If a player chooses to use illegal drugs, the potential consequences are significant, including health and safety risks and loss of the privilege of playing professional football, as happened in this case.”

Under the terms of his suspension, Smith is prohibited from participating in any sport that has an anti-doping policy consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code until January 9, 2028, although he can return to training from November 2027.

The ban means Smith is banned from playing Australian football at any level until early 2028.

Smith, now 28, initially tested positive following the Demons’ Matchday 23 win over Hawthorn on August 20, 2023.

A subsequent investigation uncovered text messages sent by Smith referencing cocaine.

Smith was suspended for:

– The presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine detected in a sample provided during an in-competition doping control on 20 August 2023 following the match between Melbourne and Hawthorn at the MCG;

– Illegal trafficking and/or attempted trafficking of cocaine during the period from July 28 to July 30, 2022 and/or from July 28 to July 30, 2022;

– Illegal trafficking and/or attempted trafficking of cocaine during the period from September 5 to September 10, 2022 and/or from September 5 to September 10, 2022;

– Trafficking and/or attempted trafficking in cocaine during the period from April 12, 2020 to September 7, 2020 and/or from April 12, 2020; And

– Possession of cocaine September 9, 2022

Australian Football’s Anti-Doping Code states that human trafficking in the anti-doping context is accordingly defined as “the sale, transfer, transportation, dispatch, delivery or distribution by an athlete of a prohibited substance… to any third party.”

Smith is not facing any criminal charges.