FREMANTLE tagger Ryan Crowley faces a two-year ban from the AFL after testing positive to a banned substance.
Crowley, 31, tested positive after a sample was taken following the Dockers’ win against GWS in Round 17 last year.
The Dockers say the banned substance was contained in a painkiller that Crowley obtained outside the club.
The AFL advised the club in September that the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) had issued Crowley with a show-cause notice after his sample tested positive to a banned substance under the AFL’s Anti-Doping Code.
The league said in a statement that the code allowed a player to continue playing if he had tested positive for a “Specified Substanceâ€.
WHAT WE KNOW
* Fremantle’s Ryan Crowley tested positive to a banned substance under the AFL Anti-Doping code on the day of the Dockers’ match against GWS on July 13 last year
* He will face the AFL anti-doping tribunal in “a matter of weeksâ€
* The Dockers say the banned substance was contained in a painkiller
* The painkiller was not issued by a club doctor
* Crowley has been provisionally suspended since receiving a show-cause notice September
* The WADA code allows a player to keep playing if test positive for a “Specified Substanceâ€
He has been provisionally suspended since receiving the show-cause notice in September.
The AFL confirmed today it had issued Crowley with an infraction notice. A date for an AFL anti-doping tribunal hearing has not been set but the Dockers say it is “a matter of weeks awayâ€.
Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich said the club was restricted in what it could say ahead until the AFL-ASADA process was completed but from the club’s understanding the banned substance was “contained in a painkillerâ€.
The Dockers could not comment as to whether the painkiller could potentially have had performance-enhancing agents.
But Rosich acknowledged Crowley erred by not receiving the painkiller from the club’s authorised doctors.
TIMELINE
* Sample collection – 13 July 2014
* A Sample tested – 11 August 2014
* Crowley notified of positive A Sample – 18 August 2014
* B Sample tested – 11 September 2014
* Show Cause Notice sent to Crowley (including notification of B Sample positive) – 18 September 2014
* Voluntary Provisional Suspension accepted – 25 September 2014
* Infraction Notice served – 1 October 2014
* Letter regarding outcome of Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel findings sent to Crowley – 16 October 2014.
“We can also inform you that the painkiller was not prescribed by a Fremantle staff member or club doctor … that is normal process and our normal protocol and that didn’t occur in this instance,†Rosich said.
“With respect to the particuar circumstances around why the substance was taken, that will be part of the AFL tribunal process.â€
Crowley said he was looking forward to a hearing to settle the case.
“I would like to thank my partner Samara, my family and the club for their support over the past few months. It has been invaluable,†he said.
“I have my own legal advisers working on the matter and they have also been a great support.
“I will continue to fully cooperate on this matter with ASADA and the AFL. At this stage, I’m looking forward to AFL Tribunal hearing taking place.â€
Crowley has played 188 matches for Fremantle since being recruited from Gisborne.
Last week Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said the Dockers were standing behind Crowley, who at that stage was only known to be facing off-field issues.
“I’m not in a position to really (elaborate), except to reiterate the club’s statement that he is working through an issue that doesn’t see him available to play at the minute,†Lyon said before taking over at training.
“We’re really supportive, but I’m not in a position to comment any further.â€
When pressed on Crowley’s problems, Lyon conceded he anticipated a rally from players and senior club welfare officials.
“He will be training, we’re not too fussed. Players are pretty resilient and we’re really supportive of each other, coaches, players and as a football club,†Lyon said.
Fremantle president Steve Harris said today the club was looking after Crowley’s welfare.
“We have been unable to inform our members and supporters of this matter until this time due to the code’s confidentiality requirements.
“We are keen for the matter to go to the AFL Tribunal but determining a date for a hearing is out of the club’s control.
“We have a continuing and ongoing duty of care for Ryan, both personally and professionally,†he said.
“Ryan’s ongoing health and capacity to cope with this matter have been key areas of focus for the support we have been providing him with.â€
Ryan Crowley
Age: 31
Games: 188
Goals: 116
AFL debut: Round 10 @ Geelong 28 May, 2005
Recruited from: Calder Cannons/Gisborne
