Melbourne’s key forward Joel Smith has been provisionally suspended after allegedly returning a positive drug test during the AFL season.
Smith submitted a sample during an in-competition doping control test on August 20, when Melbourne took on Hawthorn, the AFL said.
The sample allegedly detected the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine, which is a prohibited substance under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.
Smith was notified of the result by Sport Integrity Australia last week along with the AFL.
On the day the sample was taken, the Demons defeated Hawthorn by 27 points with Smith scoring two of their 13 goals.
He went on to play in the finals series where Melbourne lost to premiership team Collingwood in the first round.
Smith scored one goal and got 11 disposals before the Demons were knocked out by Carlton, where Smith contributed three goals and six disposals.
The AFL said the matter was progressing in accordance with the code, and would be investigated by Sport Integrity Australia and the AFL.
“In the interim Smith will not be part of Melbourne’s football program,” the AFL said in a statement.
The mandatory provisional suspension comes into effect immediately.
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
