AFLW Swans Alexia Hamilton and Paige Sheppard banned for two matches over possession of an illicit substance in off-season

The AFL has named the punishment for a pair of AFLW Swans players who were caught with an illicit substance in the off-season.

Sydney Swans AFLW players Alexia Hamilton and Paige Sheppard have been suspended for two matches for being caught with an illicit substance.

The AFL have banned the pair for two games, or a fifth of the AFLW season, for conduct unbecoming.

But the duo will not receive a drugs strike as the AFLW competition is not bound by the same illicit drugs policy as the men.

Hamilton on Monday said she was “extremely embarrassed and apologetic for my actions”, while Sheppard said she had to “earn back the respect” of her teammates after making “a bad error of judgment”.

Hamilton and Sheppard were charged by police in December after being caught with an illicit substance while outside a hotel in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

They fronted court, received a reprimand and have admitted the drug use following an investigation by the AFL integrity unit.

Paige Sheppard of the Swans. Picture: Getty Images

The AFL found that Hamilton, 23, and Sheppard, 22, committed a breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a), which states; A person must not engage in conduct which is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the AFL or to bring the game of football into disrepute.

News Corp understands Hamilton and Sheppard have previously not tested positive for any prohibited substance under the Australian Football anti-doping code.

They are tested for drugs and counselled regularly as part of the AFL’s education program.

AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said Hamilton and Sheppard had taken responsibility for their actions.

“AFLW players, in fact all players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances,” Meade said.

“While Alexia and Paige have been extremely remorseful and apologetic for their actions, they have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs, and their professional careers to uphold community expectations.”

Alexia Hamilton. Picture: Getty Images

Sydney Swans’ chief executive Tom Harley said the club was “disappointed”.

“Our football club has standards of behaviour that we expect all our people to live up to. This behaviour has fallen short of those standards, which is disappointing, and we are supportive of the AFL sanctions as we believe they are appropriate,” Harley said.

“All Sydney Swans players are educated about the impacts of drug use, so to have players in this position is also disappointing from a health and wellbeing perspective.

“Both Lexi and Paige understand their position as role models in the community. They have both co-operated fully with the club and the AFL throughout this matter and have shown contrition through their actions. We are working with both from a welfare and education perspective to ensure they receive the necessary support.”

AFL players including Elijah Hollands (Carlton), Jack Ginnivan (Hawthorn), Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs), Tyson Stengle (Geelong) and Brad Crouch (St Kilda) have all received a strike and a financial sanction for admitting illicit drug use in recent years.

A second strike results in a four-match ban.

The AFL is currently reviewing its illicit drugs policy which is expected to be completed this year.

Meade said AFLW players would be part of the revised code but was adamant Hamilton and Shipperd’s matter had been dealt with appropriately.

“Our review, in collaboration with the AFLPA, of the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy continues. The AFL’s expectation is that that AFLW players will be part of any future policy,” Meade said.

“In these circumstances, both players have been dealt with under the AFL Rules and the accountability both publicly and privately is appropriate.”