Lachie Whitfield could miss just eight matches if he accepts a six-month suspension for breaching the illicit drug code

GWS Giants star Lachie Whitfield is set to accept a six-month suspension — including just eight games — if charged with breaching the AFL’s illicit drug code.

Lachie Whitfield faces a possible suspension. Picture: Phil Hillyard

GREATER Western Sydney star ­Lachie Whitfield is set to accept a six-month suspension — but miss just eight games — if charged with breaching the AFL’s illicit drug code.

A decision to accept a charge of bringing the game into disrepute would mean Whitfield avoids a ­potential four-year ban from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority that would ruin his career.

If Whitfield pleads guilty, he would start serving the ban immediately.

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He would not be allowed at the Giants’ Olympic Park facility until mid-May and would return in about Round 9 next season.

It is unclear whether GWS will be stripped of picks at this month’s draft because of its governance failings.

Lachie Whitfield has been a standout for the Giants. Picture: Phil Hillyard

ASADA said it was yet to receive the AFL’s full brief of evidence in the case against Whitfield and former GWS staffers Graeme Allan and Craig Lambert.

But the authority said there was nothing stopping the AFL laying its own charges under its disrepute or drug rules.

“ASADA is waiting on the additional information requested from the AFL,” an anti-doping spokesperson said.

“It is impotant that ASADA consider all relevant material before any decision is made about whether to take forward possible anti-doping rule violations.”

Revelations of the trio’s conduct were leaked just hours after Allan was installed over Magpies football boss Neil Balme in August.

Collingwood has drawn up contingency plans to replace Allan in the event he is suspended.

The AFL could charge Whitfield, Allan and Lambert within days over an incident last May.

While Whitfield looks likely to accept the deal, Allan’s intentions are less clear.

He has engaged top resolutions dispute lawyer Leon Zwier.

Graeme Allan left the Giants for Collingwood. Picture: Getty Images

Whitfield spent three nights at Lambert’s home to allegedly avoid a drug test.

All three have so far denied any wrongdoing.

If charged, Allan and Lambert could be in line for 12-month stints on the sidelines.

Whitfield and his lawyer will have noted the extraordinarily different outcomes achieved by the NRL’s Cronulla Sharks and Essendon in their approaches to the 2012 supplements scandals.

While the Bombers fought the issue through the courts, Sharks players including NSW Origin skipper Paul Gallen accepted offers in August 2014.

They received backdated 12-month bans which meant they missed a handful of games at the end of the 2014 season.

Two years later the Sharks broke their premiership drought, beating the Melbourne Storm.

At the same time Gallen was lifting the NRL premiership trophy the 34 Essendon players, including Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson, were still serving bans.

They only returned to training last week with Watson still unsure if he will keep the Brownlow medal he won in 2012.

Lachie Whitfield was drafted with pick one in 2012. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Whitfield has played 72 games in his four seasons at the Giants after being taken with the No.1 pick in the 2012 national draft.

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The AFL’s investigation was preceded by one carried out by GWS shortly after the incident that found no violation of the rules.

Lambert is working at the Brisbane Lions in player welfare.

The AFL Commission are set to meet next Tuesday and will also consider the issue of Watson’s eligibility for the Brownlow Medal.

Originally published as Lachie Whitfield could miss just eight matches if he accepts a six-month suspension for breaching the illicit drug code