A 19-year-old Gold Coast Suns player is facing a whopping four-year ban after returning a positive match day test for cocaine back in May.
Key forward/ruckman Brayden Crossley has been serving a provisional suspension since the 29th of June when he was informed of his positive test result.
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Crossley conducted a urine test on the morning of May 25, prior to taking part in the Gold Coast’s reserve-grade NEAFL game against the Sydney Swans reserves side. That test reportedly tested positive for traces of a cocaine metabolite. On game days, cocaine is considered performance enhancing, and a guilty verdict returned by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority carries with it a maximum four-year suspension.
Crossley played 10 AFL games for the Suns in his debut season last year, but has struggled to break into the senior side this year.
The Suns issued a brief statement to media after news of the positive test broke this afternoon, stating “We have been notified that Brayden Crossley has received notification of an adverse analytical finding from a recent test by under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code,” and that “the club supports the role of and will fully co-operate during this process.”
They also stated that the club is “continuing to provide Brayden with wellbeing support,” and wanted to “stress that it would be inappropriate to pre-empt the outcome of the matter at this time.”
Crossley reportedly has sought independent legal advice and will be steadfastly contesting the charge and will deny knowingly ingesting the banned substance.
The investigation into the positive test remains on-going.
