- It has been provisionally suspended since October 2023.
- Joel Smith investigated by AFL and Sport Integrity Australia
Melbourne Demons star Joel Smith’s AFL career appears to be over after he reportedly tested positive for cocaine use and was charged with drug trafficking.
Smith will receive a four-year ban from the code in a joint announcement by the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) on Friday. news corporation reported.
Smith has been provisionally suspended from the AFL since October 2023 when he was reported with a positive cocaine test after playing for the Demons against Hawthorn on August 20.
The star defender reportedly tested positive for cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine in a post-match urine test.
The SIA then charged Smith with three anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code for alleged “trafficking or attempted trafficking” of cocaine.
According to the code, trafficking is defined as “the sale, delivery, transportation, shipment, delivery or distribution of a prohibited substance by an athlete… to any third party.”
Melbourne Demons defender Joel Smith (pictured) will reportedly be banned for four years for alleged cocaine use and trafficking.
Text messages allegedly seized by Sport Integrity Australia revealed that Smith (centre) had offered cocaine to his teammates (the other players pictured are not accused of any crime).
Smith’s suspension could have a major impact on the Melbourne Demons Football Club, as News Corp reported that he allegedly sent text messages to up to four teammates informing them that he had obtained the drug and asking if they were interested.
The texts were reportedly discovered as part of the SIA investigation.
Smith and the Demons club were reported to be expecting a three-month suspension.
Smith had the option of contesting the charges at the AFL anti-doping tribunal, but decided not to contest the allegations.
His father and former Melbourne Demons star Shaun Smith previously said his son had been pressured to “remain silent”, according to News Corp.
At 28 years old, a four-year suspension from the AFL would effectively end Smith’s football career.
Smith’s father Shaun (pictured left) claimed his son has been a “scapegoat” in the investigation.
“It seems as if my son is being manipulated into being the scapegoat here, in order to protect the AFL brand,” Smith said in April.
“They’re making him a scapegoat and I’m really worried about him.”
The Demons denied that Smith had been pressured by anyone at the football club in response.
“Joel has made it very clear that he has no issues or concerns with anyone at the Melbourne Football Club,” the Demons said in a statement.
Shaun Smith also said he had encouraged his son to seek independent legal advice during the SIA process, a decision which strained their relationship.
“Because I’ve been pushing to get another legal opinion, this has really hurt my relationship with Joel,” she said.
“They have driven a wedge between my son and his family.”
Smith has played 42 games for the Melbourne Demons since being selected with the 41st pick in the 2016 rookie draft.