Two Sydney Swans AFLW players have been suspended for two games after being charged by police late last year for possessing an illicit substance.
Alexia Hamilton and Paige Sheppard were handed conditional release orders following the incident in December, after the Swans’ AFLW season had ended with a semi-final thumping from Adelaide on 18 November.
The AFL on Tuesday confirmed the pair were charged by police and both have since appeared in court where they received a reprimand.
The league’s integrity unit found the pair had breached its rules but given AFLW players are not currently subject to the AFL’s illicit drug policy, no notifiable adverse finding will be registered against either player.
“AFLW players, in fact all players, are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.
“While Alexia and Paige have been extremely remorseful and apologetic for their actions, they have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs, and their professional careers to uphold community expectations.
The AFL is currently reviewing its illicit drugs policy and the expectation is that women players will be part of any future policy.
“In these circumstances, both players have been dealt with under the AFL rules and the accountability both publicly and privately is appropriate,” Meade said.
Sheppard added she made a “bad error” and would work hard to earn back respect from teammates.
Hamilton said: “I am extremely embarrassed and apologetic for my actions, and the position I have put my family, friends and teammates in. I understand I have significantly broken trust, and I apologise to our members, fans and club partners for that.”
In the men’s competition, then-Collingwood forward Jack Ginnivan was given a strike under the illicit drugs policy early last year and was suspended for two matches after admitting to drug use.
Ginnivan, who has since moved to Hawthorn, was also handed a $5,000 suspended fine after vision emerged of him with a substance.
Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith was also given a strike and two-match ban in similar circumstances in 2022, after being filmed with a bag of white powder.
Melbourne player Joel Smith’s case is treated differently, because he tested positive for cocaine on game day.
Smith has been provisionally suspended since October after his positive test following the Demons’ win over Hawthorn in round 20 last season.
None of the three men faced criminal charges.