Drugs ban: Joel Smith suspended until 2028 AFL season

Joel Smith has been banned from playing any form of Australian football until 2028.

Smith, who made 42 AFL appearances for Melbourne, tested positive for cocaine after the Demons’ win over Hawthorn in Round 23 last year.

He was later charged by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) with dealing or attempting to sell cocaine to a third party.

On Friday, the AFL announced it had punished Smith for five anti-doping rule violations under Australian Football’s Anti-Doping Code.

The league said in a statement that Smith’s suspension was agreed with Joel Smith by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the SIA and the AFL.

“The outcome of this case, which resulted in Joel Smith being banned for more than four years, reflects the seriousness with which the AFL views violations 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,” AFL CEO Andrew 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 does not condone the use of illegal drugs in any way. If a player decides 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 here. “

Smith is suspended until January 9, 2028, but can return to training in November 2027.

Meanwhile, with CEO Gary Pert retiring and Christian Petracca offering tentative approval for their culture, the embattled club faces an off-season of reflection and action.

Perth resigned on Thursday and will leave his post at the end of the year, although he intends to remain as a consultant on Melbourne’s project to build a new training and administrative base at Caulfield.

The ex-Collingwood Perth CEO, who joined Melbourne at the end of 2018, follows former president Kate Roffey, who resigned in September amid an ongoing period of turbulence.

Perth’s departure comes ahead of a likely board reshuffle as the Demons prepare to feed back the findings of two separate reviews into their operations.

News of Perth’s departure was announced in a letter to members from President Brad Green, who hailed Perth’s “invaluable contributions” and leadership.

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce that after six years as Melbourne Football Club CEO, Gary Pert has decided to retire and will step down from his role,” Green said.

“After careful consideration of what is best for the club, his family and his own future, Gary has concluded that now is the time to begin the search for his successor.

“I want to make it absolutely clear that this decision, including the timing of it, is Gary’s own decision.”

Melbourne has been in turmoil almost since their breakthrough 2021 premiership.

In 2022 and 2023 they were eliminated in straight sets in the finals, and this year they did not make the top eight at all and finished in 14th place.

Questions about their off-field culture have been persistent and were not quelled by Perth’s extraordinary announcement late last year that the club’s culture was the best it had seen in 40 years.

Clayton Oliver’s off-field problems, Smith’s anti-doping case and star midfielder Petracchi’s disgruntled desire to leave the club after suffering a horrific injury in the King’s Birthday match have been making the headlines.

Petracca eventually joined the Demons for at least 2025 on 31 August, while Melbourne ended any chance of a move to Geelong for Oliver after Perth reportedly eyed him.

Speaking to the media on Thursday for the first time since his trade saga, Petracca was asked if he was happy with the culture in Melbourne.

“I think so. Culture is an interesting word. It’s a high-performance industry and I think we’re always trying to improve and get better,” Petracca told reporters at a Melbourne Cup promotional event on Thursday.

“For me, getting people through the door is the right thing to do.

“We’ve had healthy conversations, which is great. Like any industry and any club, we strive to improve.”

Green is reviewing the club’s board of directors, while Melbourne has brought in former All Blacks manager Darren Shand to review their football department.

Former Melbourne footballer, lawyer and former Melbourne Cricket Club president Steven Smith will stand for election to the board alongside businessman Chris Barlow.

“If elected by members, I encourage Stephen to seek board approval to succeed me as Melbourne Football Club President at the end of the 2025 AFL season,” Green said.

Chief operating officer David Chippindall will become acting CEO from January.