FREMANTLE tagger Ryan Crowley has been handed a 12-month suspension from the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal.
However, with the sanction to be backdated to September 25 last year – the day he accepted a voluntary suspension - he is free to play in the last two weeks of finals.
The preliminary finals land on the weekend of September 25 and 26, and the Grand Final on October 3.
He is suspended from playing until September 24 but can resume training with the club two months before that.
Crowley was found to have breached the AFL Anti-Doping Code after testing positive to a banned substance last year.
He failed a match-day test after Fremantle's round 17 game on July 13. The specific substance was contained in a painkiller that wasn't prescribed by the club.
Crowley said he deeply regretted his actions.
"I am deeply remorseful and disappointed with the mistake that I made last year," Crowley said in a statement.
"I genuinely never intentionally meant to do the wrong thing.
"In the 13 years I have been playing for Fremantle I have never wanted to jeopardise my career and position at the club, or let any of my team mates or fans down. And for that I hope you will accept my deepest and sincerest apology."
"That being said, I respect the decision of the tribunal and I look forward, hopefully, to playing for the Fremantle Football Club once again."
Fremantle president Harris echoed Crowley’s disappointment.
"We are extremely disappointed that a senior player well versed in our medical protocols, and with the benefit of regular information and education sessions on AFL policies, would make such a poor choice instead of consulting our club doctors," Harris said.
"Having said that, no one is more disappointed with the situation than Ryan. It has been a very stressful time for him, and the sanction means that he can’t be considered for selection at any level until the last few weeks of the 2015 finals series.
"Now the matter has been dealt with by the tribunal, our focus, as it has been since the club was first advised last year, will continue to be our duty of care for Ryan as a respected and valued member of our team.
"As we would with any player on our list, we will continue to support and help Ryan."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-06-11/r ... -drug-codeIn light of that, what will the two Collingwood lads get?
PAFC. Forever.
LOOK OUT, WE'RE COMING!