Joel Smith was banned for four years. His dad thinks the AFL’s proposed drug policy could have saved him

The AFL’s proposed crackdown on illicit drugs has received substantial support, with the father of a banned Melbourne footballer calling for players to be tested weekly, while a federal MP welcomed the league’s move to overhaul what he called a “woefully inadequate and dangerous” system.

Former Melbourne forward Shaun Smith, whose son Joel was last year suspended for four years and three months after breaching five anti-doping rules, and independent MP Andrew Wilkie endorsed an AFL proposal to introduce a full-scale and year-round hair testing program, immediate fines, the removal of the controversial self-reporting loophole, and widening the number of club officials informed of a player’s positive test.

Former Melbourne player Joel Smith.Credit: Getty Images

Smith said a tougher policy may have helped his son, for it could have meant he was caught earlier, and given a shorter ban. Joel Smith tested positive for cocaine during a drug test on game day in August 2023. It later emerged he had sent text messages to teammates, revealing he had obtained the drug and offered it to them, which under anti-doping rules is considered trafficking. Under those sporting regulations, he was found guilty of trafficking and/or attempting to traffic cocaine.

Joel Smith is now rebuilding his life with his family outside of football, and his father said a tougher stance was needed to help players now, and in their post-football lives.

“Any change is a bonus, but it should be weekly testing, urine testing, something simple,” he said on Saturday.

Shaun Smith is a supporter of stricter drug testing protocols.Credit: Jason South

“Whatever drug you are taking, if you don’t pass a test during the week, you don’t play. You soon wake up to yourself. It will help players’ health after the game [when they have retired] as well. If you have a drug culture when you are playing, it’s going to get worse when you stop.”

As revealed by this masthead, the AFL is closing in on adopting significant change to its illicit drugs policy, but the proposal has put the league in conflict with the players.

The AFL would expand the number of league officials immediately notified of the drug offender’s identity. As it stands, only the club doctor and an AFL doctor is informed of a first strike. Club officials would also be informed earlier.

Under the existing policy, there is a suspended $5000 fine for a first offence, and players can avoid a strike by self-reporting drug use once in their career. This loophole would be closed.

Wilkie, who last year made explosive allegations using parliamentary privilege suggesting Melbourne players were given secret “off-the-book” drug tests, welcomed the league’s proposed policy. He said in parliament last March that if the tests found players had illicit drugs in their system, they were told to fake injuries so they would not have to play. Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), after a four-month investigation, said it found no evidence to support the accusations.

“I am, obviously, pleased that the AFL is progressing reform. It is way beyond time because the current drug-testing regime is woefully inadequate and dangerous. The fact that they allow players to train with the possibility of cocaine in their system is dangerous, and it is an unsafe workplace,” Wilkie said on Saturday.

“The fact that the drug testing through the week is strictly confidential, in other words secret, is always unsatisfactory and dishonest. Although the AFL has denied any player was pulled from a game due to a positive test on a day other than match day, although the AFL denies that, I don’t believe them.

“As far as the players’ association pushing back [against the changes], I think they should pull their head in. They have had it too good for too long, and it hasn’t been in the players’ best interests, it hasn’t been in footy’s best interest.”

Under the proposed new model, which is backed by the AFL Commission, the player’s identity would be reported to a newly established AFL panel.

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett, who called for change through his two stints as Hawks president, said the proposed changes were a step forward. However, he maintains that it was crucial club officials, other than a club doctor and an AFL doctor, knew about a first positive test, as the club needed to ensure there was not a wider culture of drug taking.

“We have this story come up every time a young man takes his life within the AFL circles. Everyone says this is terrible, terrible, terrible, but nothing is ever done,” he said.

“The AFL have never been serious about drug taking, as they are in the Olympic movement. There has always been self-protection, plenty of evasion allowed, and very little transparency or proper consequences.”

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh told this masthead he was not in favour of establishing an illicit-drugs panel.

“Our industry is not always great at keeping confidentialities. And we are not prepared to go down that road. Our concern is that these issues could be used against players in their contract negotiations,” he said.

Smith said the self-reporting loophole had been abused by players, and said the PA had a duty to back the league’s changes.

“The self-reporting has been used as an advantage to hide. Scrap what they have had and start afresh,” he said.

AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh.Credit: Joe Armao

Smith also endorsed the AFL proposal for a second strike, in both the men’s and women’s leagues, to result in the offending player being publicly named and suspended.

“You don’t want to name and shame players in the press because people can be nasty, but if that’s what it takes, that’s what it takes. The only way not to be shamed is not to do it,” he said.

Under the existing policy, there is a suspended $5000 fine for a first offence. Under the updated proposal, AFL players would be fined $5000 for a first offence. AFLW players would be subjected to the new rules but would only be fined $900 for a first offence.

The AFL has insisted its policy is about welfare and education. The league’s view is fewer players would test positive under the new policy because hair testing – which can detect drugs in a player’s system even months after ingesting – would be a significant deterrent.

The AFL and the Australian Medical Association did not wish to comment. The AFLPA declined to comment. The Australian Drug and Alcohol Association said a response could not yet be provided.

On Friday, the AFL announced Sydney player Caiden Cleary had been banned for two matches and handed a suspended fine after he was caught by NSW police with an illicit substance. Cleary was found guilty of the AFL charge of conduct unbecoming.

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