Fremantle AFL player Ryan Crowley is due to face the AFL Tribunal after testing positive to a substance banned under the AFL’s Anti-Doping Code during the 2014 season.
The sample was taken during a Round 17 match on Sunday July 13, 2014, and Fremantle were advised by the AFL last year that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) had issued Crowley with an infraction notice on October 1, 2014.
Upon learning that he had tested positive, Crowley elected to voluntarily accept a provisional suspension, which commenced in September. It should be made clear that the commencement of such a suspension is in no way an admission of guilt.
Fremantle president, Steve Harris, revealed on Monday that because of confidentiality clauses, the club had not previously commented on the matter publicly.
“We have been unable to inform our members and supporters of this matter until this time due to the code’s confidentiality requirements,” he said.
“We are keen for the matter to go to the AFL Tribunal but determining a date for a hearing is out of the club’s control.”
Harris also said the club would provide Crowley with all the necessary support required to deal with the matter.
“We have a continuing and ongoing duty of care for Ryan, both personally and professionally” he said.
“Ryan’s ongoing health and capacity to cope with this matter have been key areas of focus for the support we have been providing him with.”
Speaking on the matter, Crowley stated: “I would like to thank my partner Samara, my family and the club for their support over the past few months. It has been invaluable.
“I have my own legal advisers working on the matter and they have also been a great support.
“I will continue to fully cooperate on this matter with ASADA and the AFL. At this stage, I’m looking forward to the AFL Tribunal hearing taking place.”
Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said the substance Crowley tested positive for was an unsanctioned painkiller.
“The banned substance was a painkiller. The painkiller was not provided by a club doctor or staff member.”
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Bias is perfectly capable of developing without direct experience.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The old "no evidence just proves the conspiracy" eh?
Gecko
Guest
But he never tagged Bulldogs players.
Andrew Firth
Guest
As I said Don,..... maybe you won't.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
Finally Will Minson has been overtaken as the dumbest smart bloke.
Pumping Dougie
Guest
So if Crowls co-operates with ASADA and AFL authorities and is subsequently banned for 12-18 months (like Aamed Saad) for taking a banned pain killing injection on or around match day, then what sentence should Essendon players receive if and when found guilty? They have arguably cooperated with authorities and are alleged to have been administered a program of banned injections (performance enhancing, no less) over a 12-16 week period. On a like-for-like basis, shouldn't they get 10 years each?
Don Freo
Guest
...or Andyl12 planted the article.
Steve J
Roar Guru
They've altered their article and removed the stuff about three strikes. Looks like the funding cuts at the ABC is affecting accurate journalism and proof reading of articles
Don Freo
Guest
I'm actually quite relieved. I feared his "personal issues" might have been a break up with Samara Tugwell, the most attractive of all WAGS. He thanked her for her support so all is well with the world. No-one should feel sorry for Crowls but a little jealousy is in order.
Don Freo
Guest
We'd better promote him in status. You have just described some characteristics of a genius!
Freo As
Guest
He was the one most players named in one of those 50 question type things as the player who would forget where is locker is or something. I've met him a few times and he came across as a nice bloke, but a little vacant. I know that can be the way it is when you're constantly chatting to people who you don't know, but they feel as though they know you, but it seemed to back up the players nomination of Crowls.
13th Man
Guest
opens up a spot for Weller and Blakely
Don Freo
Guest
I wonder whether, if he went to the club doctor, he'd be rested for a week or two so he went outside of that authority in order to allow him to pass a fitness test. An error in judgement but in keeping with the kind of desire that has marked his career.
Don Freo
Guest
He is not renown(ed) for vaguing out. He is a VERY smart bloke. There is crazy typecasting here....and a bit of projection, perhaps.
Freo As
Guest
Finance…please!
Balthazar
Guest
Yeah, smart bloke. Stockbroker, studying advanced finance, relatively articulate and has more sophistiticated interests in his personal life than perhaps your average footballer. Which is why I am scratching my head
Freo As
Guest
Smart bloke? Crowley is renown for vaguing out.
Balthazar
Guest
I agree. On the face of it, it looks like a truly dumb act by a smart bloke. But he has shelled out for his own legal team to fight it and he''s chosen not to retire so let's see what comes out in the wash. I expect he's got an uphill battle ahead of him, though, and would be a sad way to bow out for a player who always put the team first, like him or hate him for it some particularly premature and silly commentary in this thread
Don Freo
Guest
What are you implying? That Crowley was Steve Rosich's mule and Freo has been the gateway for drugs taken by Mike Fitzpatrick and the AFL Board? "Tip of the iceberg"... Geez you guys get melodramatic. It was a painkiller. Geelong were beaten in their own right. I can see the headline now; " Geelong Beaten By a Dispirin" Quite plausible.
andyl12
Guest
JJ- defamation law has established that you can't sue somebody for telling the truth about you. Unless you're trying to tell me that the article below is false, in which case the journalist should have already been sued over it. http://www.theage.com.au/afl/essendon-bombers/emergency-essendon-meeting-planned-as-players-health-fears-grow-20130816-2s0y5.html