Melbourne legend Garry Lyon has declared his club would be “negligent” if they didn’t do a “deep dive” in to player activities after the latest accusations of drug trafficking levelled against Joel Smith put the club’s culture back in the spotlight.
Smith, who is already provisionally suspended after a positive drug test to cocaine last year, been accused of trafficking or attempted trafficking the drug by Sports Integrity Australia.
Five months after Smith was notified of a positive cocaine test on match day, 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.
That is alleged to include his teammates, adding 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” after incidents including Clayton Oliver being taken to hospital after a seizure.
Lyon, the former Melbourne captain, said the allegations of trafficking seemed extreme, but also that the Demons should have explored all the possible links when the issue first emerged last October.
“If they haven’t been aware they would be negligent. If they are not doing a deep dive in to their environment, they would be negligent,” he told SEN.
“I don’t think Joel Smith is a drug trafficker. Under this definition, anyone who indulge in drug taking, if you’re sharing them, you’re a trafficker.
“But while there is understanding for Joel, this is on him. This is all on him.
“While we deal with it, this responsibility lays at the feel of Joel.”
Amid the revelations was an accusations 27-year-old Smith was being “scapegoated” for wider club activities.
But the Demons released a statement, on behalf of Smith, declaring that wasn’t the case.
“Joel has made it very clear that he has no issues or concerns with anyone at the Melbourne Football Club,” the Demons said.
Smith 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.
#AFL #Melbourne #legend #Garry #Lyon #reacts #Joel #Smith #drug #revelations
