Joel Smith accused of trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine by Sports Integrity Australia

Suspended Melbourne utility Joel Smith has been accused of trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine by Sports Integrity Australia, casting further doubt over his already-precarious AFL career.

Smith has been provisionally suspended since October, when he was notified of a positive cocaine test following the Demons’ Round 20 win over Hawthorn on August 20.

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But in a dramatic escalation on Tuesday, the AFL confirmed Sports Integrity Australia (SIA) had charged Smith with three anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code over alleged “trafficking or attempted trafficking” of cocaine to third parties.

Under the code, trafficking is defined as “selling, giving, transporting, sending, delivering or distributing a prohibited substance by an athlete … to any third party”.

Smith has also been notified of another ADRV for possession of cocaine on September 9, 2022.

On that day, Smith was a sub in Melbourne’s AFL semi-final loss to Brisbane.

The next day, he won a VFL preliminary final with Casey. Nine days later, he played in Casey’s premiership win.

Joel Smith played in a VFL premiership nine days after being in possession of cocaine. Credit: Felicity Elliott/AFL Photos/AFL Photos via Getty Images

He had already faced a maximum four-year ban under the AFL’s anti-doping code for his positive cocaine test.

It is unclear how much the additional charges could add to any suspension, or when that would be determined.

Smith will remain provisionally suspended and is unable to train or play with his teammates, and the AFL confirmed under the code the new asserted violations will be further investigated by SIA.

The 27-year-old’s matter could be heard at the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal in the coming months.

This adds to a nightmare off-season for Melbourne, who have had their culture repeatedly questioned.

Demons chief executive Gary Pert recently claimed the club’s culture was “the best I’ve seen in 40 years”.

His comment came amid significant concerns about Smith’s positive test and the behaviour of teammate Clayton Oliver, who recently returned to the fold after taking personal leave.

The Demons released a statement late on Tuesday night confirming they had been informed by the AFL of Smith’s new alleged violations.

Smith has been accused of trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine. Credit: Getty Images

Melbourne also said Smith’s management had contacted the Demons, insisting comments made to News Corp suggesting the 27-year-old was being “scapegoated” didn’t come from their camp or reflect his views.

“Joel has made it very clear that he has no issues or concerns with anyone at the Melbourne Football Club,” the Demons said.

Melbourne stressed they were not able to make public comments on the violations levelled at Smith while the investigation was ongoing.

The versatile tall has battled injuries throughout his career but played 14 of his 42 career games for Melbourne last year, including the Demons’ two narrow finals losses against Collingwood and Carlton.

He is the son of former Melbourne and North Melbourne high-flyer Shaun Smith.

The AFL confirms that further Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) have been asserted against Joel Smith of the Melbourne Football Club under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has notified Smith that three ADRVs for “Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking” of Cocaine to third parties are asserted against him.

Under the Code, Trafficking in an anti-doping context is relevantly defined to be “Selling, giving, transporting, sending, delivering or distributing a Prohibited Substance, by an Athlete … to any third party [but] shall not include actions involving Prohibited Substances which are not prohibited in Out-of-Competition Testing unless the circumstances as a whole demonstrate such Prohibited Substances are not intended for genuine and legal therapeutic purposes or are intended to enhance sport performance” (Article 1 of the Code).

Further, SIA has notified Smith that an ADRV for Possession of a Prohibited Substance (Cocaine) on 9 September 2022 is asserted against him.

These ADRVs are in addition to that previously asserted against him (in connection with a sample provided by him after the match between Melbourne and Hawthorn on 20 August 2023 which tested positive to Cocaine and its metabolite, Benzoylecgonine).

Smith will continue to be provisionally suspended pending the finalisation of all of these matters, meaning he is not permitted to be part of Melbourne’s football program, including Melbourne’s pre-season training that is currently underway.

Under the Code, the new asserted ADRVs will be further investigated by SIA and these matters may ultimately be heard by an AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal in the coming months.

Due to the ongoing nature of the anti-doping process, the AFL and SIA are unable to make any further comment at this time.

– With Harrison Reid