Melbourne’s Joel Smith has been provisionally suspended after testing positive to cocaine, and Carlton have revealed they recruited Elijah Hollands despite knowing about his drugs scandal.
Smith was caught with the illicit drug in his system through an in-competition doping test.
The test was conducted by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) officials after the Demons’ win over Hawthorn in round 23.
The results of the test were not known until after the season had finished.
Smith faces a maximum four-year ban under the AFL’s anti-doping code – however, it is likely the ban will only be for four months provided he can prove the illicit substance was not taken on match day.
Joel Smith has been provisionally suspended after testing positive to cocaine use before an AFL match. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
In a statement on Thursday, the AFL confirmed Smith had been notified by SIA of an adverse analytical finding “for the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine” and a potential violation of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.
“(Smith) was notified by Sport Integrity Australia last week in relation to the finding,” the league said in the statement.
“The AFL was made aware of the test results at the same time.
“The matter is now progressing in accordance with the (Australian Football Anti-Doping) Code, initially involving further investigation by Sport Integrity Australia supported by the AFL.
“In the interim Smith will not be part of Melbourne’s football program.”
Later on Thursday, Gold Coast and Carlton released separate statements revealing that Hollands had been served with a notice to appear in court relating to possession of an illicit substance.
The news came just a day after Gold Coast traded Hollands to Carlton.
The Blues said they knew about the upcoming court case when they recruited Hollands.
“The club was notified last month by Hollands, who was a Gold Coast Suns player at the time, given its existing interest in bringing him to the football club,” Carlton said in a statement.
“An informed decision was then made to proceed with the recruitment, and the club will now provide the necessary support to Hollands.
“He will commence pre-season training upon its scheduled resumption in November.”‘
Hollands, the No.7 pick from the 2020 national draft, played just 14 games for Gold Coast and was keen to join his younger brother Ollie at the Blues.
The AFL Integrity Unit have been made aware of the Hollands situation and are in the process of conducting their own investigation.
But it is Smith who is set to face a much harsher punishment, given his drug finding was in an in-competition test.
Smith has battled injuries throughout his career but played 14 games for Melbourne this year, including the Demons’ two narrow finals losses against Collingwood and Carlton.
Both Melbourne and the AFL Players Association acknowledged the findings and Smith’s provisional suspension in statements on Thursday, pledging ongoing support to the player.
The 27-year-old is the son of former Melbourne and North Melbourne high-flyer Shaun Smith, who has spoken publicly about his health issues after suffering concussions during his 109-game career.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Don’t worry the real life horror flick is a lot worse than fictional popcorn feet up with BOng & Beer repertoire.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Oh man hasn't it just, feels like we're a misfired missile away from an all out war. I'll owe you a beer or some brains if it happens.lol. I dont usually get into zombie movie as I'm not a horror fan but zombieland 1 and 2 I quite enjoyed horror/comedy more my thing unless it's real life horror.lol.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Throw em all your Boz Scaggs records
Chanon
Roar Rookie
1985 sci fi horror but more like PG today standards. On another front the world has gone to sh.t. When the zombies come out to play remember your welcome :thumbup:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
I've never seen or heard of that but I get the general just of it by the sounds.lol.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Canned fartz l can do.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Lots of spot fires around the world. Make sure you have a deep bunker & plenty of canned baked beans.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
That's how I'd run the world if l was a Facist. Right now l couldn't organise a sale of caramel butters at a Rural rural show
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Really? Wassup?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Hilarious but true those bloody things that stick in our pocket are a bloody curse. Reminds me of that sci fi horror movie The Stuff everyone eats in & go around forcing others that haven’t tried to give it a go or perish.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Most definitely. All I can say is I'm glad their was no mobile ph cameras back in the day, I could still be sitting in a 6 x 4.lmao. :silly:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Oliver is at $15 for Charlie which isn't as high as I thought it might be with everything going on.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
He’s young & a bit nuts but weren’t we all :stoked:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Oh that's right I forgot that one too. Unfortunately from experience it sounds like he's hitting the alcohol really hard and maybe something else mixed in there as well. If hes moved in with big maxy and has admitted his mistakes and that he has a problem he could come out of this alright and learn from it but if he's only doing it to keep other people happy, there's more hurt to come more than likely.if your a Melbourne supporter. Hmmm, on the flip side if he has done this himself I wonder if he's worth a sneaky little flutter for next years Charlie if he has a point to prove to the world. :silly:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
100% man. That and the oldest profession in the world have been humans weakness since the day dot.lol.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
He’s a silly bugger he also fell over in Footscray & ended up in Hospital. Lots of great bars in dogville. :thumbup:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Humans can’t get enough of dr.gs good or bad, legal or illegal we are swimming in it. Believe it or not :stoked:
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Have you seen some of the stuff about Oliver going around, apparently he got into trouble for bending windscreen wipers one night and apparently there's a video of him putting his foot through a wall at a party too. Not sure if any of its true or not though.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Lmao. I sort of miss the good old days where what you brought was what you got not mix and match like it seems to be these days.lol. I mean shhhhh Dr.gs are bad... omfg do you remember the old school advert, something with an egg and along the lines(no pun intended)this is your brain not on drugs and then the egg smashes on the ground and this is your brain on Dr,g's.lol.
mrl
Roar Rookie
Bad couple of days.