Drugs ban: Joel Smith suspended until 2028 AFL season

Joel Smith's AFL career looks over after the Melbourne defender was banned from playing at any level until 2028.

Smith, who featured in 42 senior games for the Demons, returned a positive test for cocaine following their win over Hawthorn in round 23 last year.

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) also later charged him trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine to third parties in 2020 and '22, and also possession of cocaine in '22.

The AFL and SIA announced on Friday that Smith had been suspended because of five anti-doping rule violations under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.

The league said in a statement that Smith's suspension has been agreed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), SIA and the AFL with Joel Smith.

Smith is banned until January 9, 2028, but can return to training in November, 2027.

He will be 32 when he is eligible to play again.

The trafficking charges led to speculation that other AFL players might also come under investigation. But it is understood there are no ongoing investigations stemming from Smith's case.

Earlier this year, Smith's father Shaun - also a former Melbourne player - said his son was not alone in taking drugs and was being made a scapegoat.

Smith's drugs charges are among a series of dramas that have caused turmoil at the Demons since their drought-breaking 2021 premiership.

They had straight-sets exits from the '22 and '23 finals series and did not make the top eight this season.

In March, federal MP Andrew Wilkie alleged in parliament that there was secret testing of AFL players so they would not fail drug tests under the league's illicit drugs policy, which is separate to the anti-doping code.

Shaun Smith was among the sources Wilkie cited when he made his bombshell allegations. SIA investigated the claims and cleared the AFL of wrongdoing, while urging the league to review the illicit drugs policy.

On Friday, AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said in a statement that the Smith ban was a "salutory lesson" for any player using illicit substances that are banned under the anti-doping code.

"The use of performance enhancing substances is strictly prohibited in Australian football and the AFL will continue to work with SIA to identify and prosecute the use of such substances in-competition and other conduct prohibited by the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code," Dillon added.

"The AFL does not in any way condone the use of illicit drugs. If a player chooses to use illicit drugs, the potential consequences are substantial, including risks to health and safety and of losing the privilege of playing professional football, as has occurred here."