Lachie Whitfield vows to repay GWS Giants after accepting six-month ban

THE AFL has revealed the evidence that went into the six-month suspension of GWS star Lachie Whitfield. The file includes texts from Whitfield admitting to taking drugs and hiding from ASADA.

Lachie Whitfield during GWS Giants training. Picture: Mark Evans

LACHIE Whitfield has vowed to repay his GWS Giants teammates and fans after accepting a six-month ban for bringing the game into disrepute.

Former Giants football manager Graeme Allan and welfare manager Craig Lambert were both given 12-month bans for their role in directing Whitfield’s actions.

Allan resigned from his job as Collingwood football manager.

The AFL released a revealing list of evidence against Whitfield, Allan and Lambert.

Lachie Whitfield has accepted a six-month ban. Picture: Mark Evans

The evidence states:

-On Monday May 18, 2015, Whitfield sent text messages to a third party, the contents of which he has subsequently denied. The messages stated that he:

-Took illicit drugs on the evening of May 16, 2015.

-Was staying at Lambert’s home to hide from Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA) drug testers.

-Was doing this under the instruction of Lambert and Allan because they feared the possibility that the illicit drugs taken by Whitfield may have been contaminated with performance-enhancing drugs.

Lachie Whitfield (from left) was brought undone after his ex-girlfriend Sammi Nowland alerted authorities to the fact he had hidden from ASADA under the direction of Graeme Allen and Craig Lambert.

Whitfield issued a statement apologising for his behaviour.

“I was going through a difficult period in my life and was not thinking clearly at the time. I know I should have behaved differently,” Whitfield said.

“I sincerely apologise to my teammates, coaches and our supporters. I love playing for the GWS Giants and am determined to repay the faith and loyalty they have shown in me.

“I am extremely grateful to my family, friends and my manager for their strong and constant support. I have learned an incredible amount from this ordeal and look forward to working hard to help the Giants succeed in 2017 and beyond.”

Greater Western Sydney's Lachie Whitfield will be available to play mid-way through the 2017 season.

The drama started last year when Whitfield’s ex-partner Sammi Nowland emailed the club’s then football manager, Allan, with allegations of illicit drug use stemming from text message exchanges between the player and Miss Nowland.

Allan did not inform GWS of the issue until July last year. The Giants then made immediate contact with the AFL, triggering the investigation that has lasted about 16 months.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said Whitfield’s six-month suspension reflected his level of guilt compared to Allan and Lambert.

“He is a 19-year-old kid who took advice from his club’s senior officials,” McLachlan said.

Graeme Allan copped a 12-month suspension for his part in the scandal.

“There is not one piece of evidence of performance-enhancing drugs.”

McLachlan was much less forgiving with the behaviour of Allan and Lambert.

“It’s a poor reflection on them,” McLachlan said. “It’s a mistake which is hard to believe.”

The Giants are now holding their breath over the possibility of draft sanctions.

McLachlan indicated the decision on any further penalty for GWS was now in the hands of the AFL’s lawyer Andrew Dillon.