By Peter Ryan
Melbourne utility Joel Smith is facing a two-year ban for testing positive to cocaine after the club’s round 23 match last year against Hawthorn after Sport Integrity Australia rejected his bid for a three-month suspension.
Two sources close to the situation, but who are unauthorised to speak on Smith’s behalf, have told this masthead he is likely to fight for his career through the appeals process on the basis that the substance was used out of competition and was not performance enhancing.
The lengthy potential sanction means the 27-year-old utility will remain provisionally suspended until the hearing occurs, with the Demon’s AFL career resting on the success of that appeal.
Joel Smith was the subject of a Sports Integrity Australia and AFL investigation after testing positive to cocaine.Credit: AFL Photos
Smith has been serving a provisional suspension since October 10 last year after Sport Integrity Australia notified the club and the AFL that he had returned an adverse analytical finding for the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine from a test on August 20.
With the AFL Players’ Association representing Smith in the case, he had hoped to “prove the substance was used out of competition and was unrelated to sporting performance”, which would have led to him receiving a minimum three-month ban.
With the suspension backdated until the start of the provisional suspension, the three-month ban on him training with Melbourne or competing would have expired today.
The AFL confirmed, however, that the provisional suspension would stand, with two sources familiar with the matter but not authorised to speak publicly confirming Smith had been made aware of Sport Integrity Australia’s stand.
“The AFL advises that the matter involving Joel Smith of the Melbourne Football Club being investigated by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code is ongoing,” AFL spokesperson Jay Allen said.
“Joel remains provisionally suspended and as such he is not permitted to participate in Melbourne’s pre-season training when it recommences in the coming days.
“Due to the ongoing nature of the anti-doping process the AFL will not comment further at this time.”
The minimum penalty for testing positive to cocaine, or what is categorised as a “substance of abuse”, on match day was reduced to three months in January 2021 if the athlete could prove it wasn’t performance enhancing.
Previously an athlete could receive a maximum penalty of four years if an illicit substance was in their system on the day of competition, even if it wasn’t performance enhancing.
Smith was seen as a test case as the first AFL player to test positive to a “substance of abuse” since that amendment to the rules was made.
The players’ association is continuing to support Smith in his battle to resume his career.
“The AFLPA continues to support Joel Smith in the process pursuant to the AFL Anti-Doping Code,” an AFLPA spokesperson said.
“As that process is not yet complete, it remains confidential and it is inappropriate to speculate on details of the case or pre-empt the outcome.
“With the matter ongoing, no further comment further will be made at this time.”
Smith, who has played 42 matches with the Demons, played in three matches after round 23, including two finals. Melbourne lost both finals, but his positive test was not known until after the AFL season finished.
In a letter to members in November, CEO Gary Pert said further action was possible after the Sport Integrity Australia decision was reached.
“Joel is aware that once club leaders receive the results of the investigation, they will then determine if any further action is appropriate based on cultural standards and expectations,” Pert wrote.
Smith played 14 games this season to bring his total games tally to 42, with his average output similar to that in previous seasons.
Melbourne and Sport Integrity Australia were also contacted for comment.
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