Drug ban: Joel Smith suspended until 2028 AFL season

Joel Smith has been banned from playing any form of Australian football until 2028.

Smith, who played 42 AFL games for Melbourne, tested positive for cocaine following the Demons’ win over Hawthorn in round 23 last year.

He was later hit by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) on charges of smuggling or attempting to smuggle cocaine to a third party.

The AFL announced Smith’s suspension on Friday in connection with five anti-doping rule breaches under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.

In the statement made by the league, it was stated that Smith’s suspension was agreed upon between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), SIA and the AFL and Joel Smith.

“The outcome of this case, which saw Joel Smith suspended for more than four years, reflects the seriousness of the AFL in addressing breaches of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code and is a useful lesson for any player who uses illegal substances. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon, WADA He said it was banned under the law.

“The use of performance-enhancing substances is strictly prohibited in Australian Football and the AFL will continue to work with Sport Integrity Australia to detect and prosecute the use of such substances in competition and other conduct prohibited by the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.

“The AFL does not condone the use of illegal drugs in any way. If a player chooses to use illegal drugs, the potential consequences are serious, including risks to health and safety and, as here, the risk of losing the privilege of playing professional football.”

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

Meanwhile, the embattled club faces an offseason of reflection and action, with general manager Gary Pert resigning and Christian Petracca temporarily bolstering their culture.

Pert stepped down on Thursday and will step down at the end of the year, but will remain as an advisor to Melbourne’s bid to build a new training and management base at Caulfield.

Former Collingwood CEO Pert, who joined Melbourne at the end of 2018, follows former chairman Kate Roffey, who resigned in September amid a period of ongoing turbulence.

Pert’s departure comes ahead of a possible board change as Demons prepares to transfer the findings of two separate reviews into its own operations.

News of Pert’s departure was announced in a letter to members from president Brad Green, who praised Pert’s “invaluable contributions” and leadership.

“It is with mixed emotions that I announce that after six years as CEO of the Melbourne Football Club, Gary Pert has decided to retire and will step down from his position,” Green said.

“After careful consideration of what is best for the club, his family and his own future, Gary has concluded that now is the right time to begin the search for his successor.

“I want to be absolutely clear that this decision, including its timing, is Gary’s.”

Melbourne has been plagued by turmoil almost since their major success in 2021.

The team, which was eliminated from the finals in a row in 2022 and 2023, missed the top eight this year and ranked 14th.

Questions about their off-field culture have continually arisen, and Pert’s extraordinary claim late last year that the club’s culture is the best he has seen in 40 years has not been unfounded.

Clayton Oliver’s off-field troubles, Smith’s anti-doping trial and disgruntled star midfielder Petracca’s desire to leave the club following his devastating injury in the King’s Birthday match were headline-grabbing issues.

Petracca eventually decided to join the Demons for at least 2025 on August 31, while Melbourne closed down the possibility of Oliver moving to Geelong after Pert was reportedly shopping him around.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Petracca was asked for the first time since the trade saga whether he was happy with the culture in Melbourne.

“I think so. Culture is an interesting word. It’s a high-performance industry and for me we’re always trying to improve and get better,” Petracca told reporters at the Melbourne Cup promotional event on Thursday.

“For me, getting people through the door is the right thing to do.

“We’ve had healthy discussions and that’s great. Like every industry and every club, we aim to improve.”

While Green reviews the club’s board, Melbourne appoints former All Blacks manager Darren Shand to look after the football department.

Former Melbourne footballer, lawyer and former Melbourne Cricket Club president Steven Smith will stand for board election alongside businessman Chris Barlow.

“I will encourage Steven to seek the approval of the board to succeed me as chairman of the Melbourne Football Club at the end of the 2025 AFL season, should members elect him,” Green said.

Operations chief David Chippindall will serve as interim CEO from January.