Joel Smith

Banned Melbourne forward handed career-ending suspension

A decision has reportedly been made.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Banned Melbourne forward Joel Smith has reportedly been handed a four-year ban following an investigation into claims he used and trafficked cocaine.

Smith was placed on a mandatory provisional suspension in October last year after testing positive for an illicit substance, with his dirty urine sample coming after a game between Melbourne and Hawthorn in August that year.

Further investigation from Sorts Integrity Australia led to a total of three Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADVRs) being asserted against Smith in February, including “Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking” of Cocaine to third parties.

Smith has not been permitted to be part of Melbourne's football program since his provisional suspension.

According to The Herald Sun, Smith has been hit with a four-year suspension, which is expected to be announced by the SIA and the AFL on Friday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 11: Taylor Adams of the Magpies and Joel Smith of the Demons compete for the ball during the 2018 AFL round 12 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Collingwood Magpies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on June 11, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Smith was due to come off-contract at the cessation of the 2024 season, with clubs required to make their first list lodgment prior to November.

The ban will likely end his AFL career, which started following a promising career in basketball almost a decade ago.

Joining Melbourne as a category B rookie in 2015, Smith would make his AFL debut two years later against St Kilda. He would play a total of 42 games before the end of the 2023 season, including a career-high 14 games that year.

Smith is the son of former Melbourne and North Melbourne player Shaun Smith.

Published by
Mitch Keating