Sydney Swans young gun Caiden Cleary suspended after being caught by police trying to buy illicit drugs

A young Swans midfielder will miss the start of the AFL season after being caught by police trying to buy illicit substances at a venue in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Sydney Swans youngster Caiden Cleary has been hit with a two-match suspension after being charged with conduct unbecoming by the AFL following an off-season incident.

Cleary, 19, was caught trying to buy illicit substances by NSW Police in December at a venue in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. He received a criminal infringement notice for possession of an illicit substance and was also issued a $400 fine with no criminal conviction recorded.

However, Cleary, who was a first-round selection in the 2023 draft, did not get the chance to inform the club of the incident. The Swans were made aware of the full details of the night shortly after they occurred and passed them on to the AFL.

Following an investigation, Cleary has been served a two-match suspension as well as a suspended $5,000 fine. The AFL confirmed that Cleary’s action counted as an “Adverse Finding” under the organisation’s Illicit Drugs Policy.

The ban means he will be unavailable for selection for the Swans’ first two matches of the season at home against Hawthorn and Brisbane. He is also set to be ineligible for the club’s Community Series match against the Gold Coast.

Caiden Cleary has been banned for two matches. Picture: Phil Hillyard

In a statement, the Swans stated they were “extremely disappointed” with Cleary’s behaviour, while confirming the teenager was “extremely remorseful and has cooperated fully with the AFL investigation”.

After making five appearances in his debut year on the club’s AFL list, Cleary was looking to push his way into Dean Cox’s side this season. Playing predominantly as a high-pressure forward, Cleary has also spent time in midfield during pre-season match simulations.

It will likely open the door for Corey Warner to get the first crack in the Swans’ forward line after impressing across pre-season. However, Cox could also turn to experience and bring Taylor Adams back into the line-up.

Cleary had been earmarked as a prodigious talent throughout his time in the Swans’ Academy. As a local product, Cleary played his junior footy for the Newtown Swans before quickly rising through the representative pathways.

He was the highest-disposal winner during the 2022 Futures game, finishing with 31 touches, while he also earned under-18 All-Australian selection after starring for the Allies in midfield during their ground-breaking 2023 National Championships title.

The Swans were always eager to land Cleary on draft night, but Collingwood forced their hand early after the then-premiers bid on the midfielder with pick 24. Sydney eventually matched the selection, making Cleary one of two first-round picks in that draft alongside ruckman Will Green.

Cleary celebrates after kicking a goal on debut last year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Cleary made an early impression in the VFL thanks to his relentless running and tackling pressure. Across the 2024 VFL season, he ended up playing 15 matches and averaged 21.2 disposals and 4.7 tackles per game.

The teenager eventually made his debut in the Sydney Derby against the Giants in round 15 as the substitute. While he had to wait patiently on the bench, it was a debut to remember, kicking a goal with his first touch in the AFL.

He made four more appearances last season, including an impressive 16-disposal game against the Crows in the final round of the year.

Cleary was included among the emergencies for each of the Swans’ three finals matches, including the grand final against Brisbane, but was not required.

The incident is the second major drug scandal to come out of the Swans in the past 12 months.

AFLW duo Lexi Hamilton and Paige Sheppard were both hit with two-match suspensions last March after being found guilty of drug possession. In similar circumstances, the pair were found in possession outside an Eastern Suburbs hotel and given conditional release orders after being charged by NSW Police.

Originally published as Sydney Swans young gun Caiden Cleary suspended after being caught by police trying to buy illicit drugs