Achi news desk-
AFLW Sydney players Alexia Hamilton and Paige Sheppard have been suspended for two games after being charged with possession of an illegal substance.
Hamilton and Sheppard have both received the sanctions and on Tuesday apologized for their behavior while in a hotel in Sydney’s eastern suburbs last December.
The incident occurred after the Swans’ AFLW season ended with a semi-final thrashing by Adelaide on November 18.
News of the pair being charged and facing court only came on Monday evening through a media report.
“I am deeply ashamed and apologize for my actions, and the situation I have put my family, friends and teammates in,” Hamilton said.
“I understand that I have breached trust significantly, and I apologize to our members, supporters and club partners for that.”
Sheppard added that she made a “bad mistake” and would work hard to earn back the respect of her teammates.
Both players have already appeared in court, where they were reprimanded.
Sydney say they notified the AFL Integrity Unit “as soon as” they became aware of the situation.
“Our football club has standards of conduct that we expect all our people to meet,” said Swans chief executive Tom Harley.
“This behavior has fallen short of those standards, which is disappointing, and we are supportive of the AFL sanctions as we believe they are appropriate.”
Unlike the men’s competition, the AFLW does not have a three-shot doping policy, so no adverse finding will be registered against either player.
The situation differs from that of suspended Melbourne player Joel Smith, who has been suspended since October after testing positive for cocaine after a game last August.
“AFLW players, all players in fact, are well educated in the harms associated with the use of illegal substances,” said AFL general counsel Stephen Meade.
“Although 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 the expectations of the community.
“Our review, in collaboration with the AFLPA, of the AFL’s Illegal Drugs Policy is ongoing.
“The AFL’s expectation is that AFLW players will be part of any future policy.”
