Drugs in sport
Analysis
AFL off-field behaviour
Who did Joel Smith text? The major risk factor for the Demons
Melbourne is flying blind without any knowledge of what Joel Smith did or did not say to his teammates in his text messages, and no control of an external investigation.
- by Jake Niall
Latest
Updated
AFL 2024
Police ‘assessing information’ over Smith’s alleged trafficking
Melbourne Football Club is under pressure to conduct a “deep dive” investigation into its culture after police became involved in allegations of drug trafficking against AFL player Joel Smith.
- by Jon Pierik and Peter Ryan
Updated
AFL 2024
Everything you need to know about the drug allegations against Joel Smith
Melbourne’s Joel Smith, already provisionally suspended after failing a drug test last year, has now been accused of trafficking cocaine by Sport Integrity Australia.
- by Andrew Wu
Updated
Swimming
Magnussen accepts $1.5m offer to ‘juice to the gills’ as Olympian puts hand up to coach him
Australia’s former swimming star James Magnussen says that for a seven-figure sum he would come out of retirement to compete in an Olympic-style event that allowed doping.
- by Tom Decent
Updated
AFL 2024
Career threat: Melbourne’s Joel Smith faces two years on the sidelines for cocaine use
Melbourne utility Joel Smith has failed in his attempt to have his penalty for testing positive to cocaine on match day set at three months.
- by Peter Ryan
Why drugs charge didn’t stop Blues from recruiting Elijah Hollands
Carlton underwent a rigorous process before deciding to recruit Elijah Hollands, who today avoided conviction after pleading guilty to cocaine possession in a Queensland court.
- by Jake Niall and Peter Ryan
Oliver says he would have agreed to trade if Demons wanted him out
Clayton Oliver says he would never have voluntarily left but would have agreed to a trade if Melbourne had indicated they did not want him to stay during the trade period.
- by Jon Pierik and Peter Ryan
Max Gawn defends Demons culture after Smith’s positive drug test
Melbourne are facing scrutiny after forward Joel Smith returned a positive drug test, but Max Gawn is confident the club will overcome the adversity.
- by Peter Ryan
Opinion
AFL 2023
Entrecote, Oliver, and now Smith: Do the Demons have a culture problem?
Whatever the fate of Joel Smith, and whatever an examination of the evidence in his case brings, the Demons should not avoid an examination of themselves.
- by Jake Niall
Explainer
Sporting rules
How does the AFL’s illicit drug policy work?
Under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy, Melbourne’s Joel Smith would record a first strike, receive a suspended fine and counselling. But here’s what happens under the league’s anti-doping code.
- by Peter Ryan and Jon Pierik
Exclusive
NRL 2023
‘I hated my life’: Bronson Xerri tells all as four-year drug ban comes to an end
After four years in the wilderness, the one-time NRL young gun reveals the demons that have haunted him since making the biggest mistake of his life.
- by Michael Chammas