Melbourne player Joel Smith has been provisionally suspended after testing positive to cocaine during the AFL home-and-away season.
Smith was caught with the illicit drug in his system through an in-competition doping test.
The test was conducted by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) officials following the Demons’ win over Hawthorn in round 23.
The results of the test were not known until after the season had finished.
In a statement on Thursday, the AFL confirmed Smith had been notified by SIA of an adverse analytical finding “for the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine” and a potential violation of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.
“(Smith) was notified by Sport Integrity Australia last week in relation to the finding,” the league said in the statement.
“The AFL was made aware of the test results at the same time.
“The matter is now progressing in accordance with the (Australian Football Anti-Doping) Code, initially involving further investigation by Sport Integrity Australia supported by the AFL.
“In the interim Smith will not be part of Melbourne’s football program.”
Smith has battled injuries throughout his career but played 14 games for Melbourne this year, including the Demons’ two narrow finals losses against Collingwood and Carlton.
Melbourne acknowledged the findings and Smith’s provisional suspension in a statement on Thursday.
“The club will continue to support Joel throughout the process and ensure our supporters are informed further when we are authorised to do so,” the Demons said.
Smith faces a maximum four-year ban under the AFL’s anti-doping code; however, recent suspensions for drugs test fails in the AFL haven’t been quite as steep.
In 2019, Port Adelaide star Willie Rioli was given a two-year suspension while at West Coast for substituting his urine during a pair of anti-doping tests; earlier the same year, Collingwood’s Sam Murray was banned for 18 months for admitting to cocaine use.
In 2015, Magpies pair Josh Thomas and Lachie Keeffe also copped two-year bans for testing positive to the banned drug clenbuterol.
The 27-year-old is the son of former Melbourne and North Melbourne high-flyer Shaun Smith, who has spoken publicly about his health issues after suffering concussions during his 109-game career.
© AAP
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