SYDNEY Swans defender Michael Talia has been issued with his first strike under the AFL's Illicit Drug Policy having escaped conviction and been handed a 12-month good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to drug possession in court on Thursday.
Under the AFL's policy Talia received a suspended $5000 fine and is required to attend compulsory counselling and education programs.
Police arrested and charged Talia last month after he was stopped outside a nightclub in Sydney's eastern suburbs and found to be carrying cocaine.
The 23-year-old has been stood down from training and all club activities since the arrest in the early hours of Sunday, July 17.
Outside Waverley court, Talia thanked the Swans and his teammates for their support.
"I'm obviously very disappointed in my actions," he said.
"I'm looking forward to learning from this experience and putting it all behind me."
Swans general manager of football Tom Harley, who attended court with Talia and the club's head of welfare Dennis Carroll, maintained that the Swans would stand by their player.
"As a footy club we're obviously disappointed to be here today, but (we're here) in support of Michael," Harley said.
"From a club point of view we've now got the facts, which we stated we were keen to unearth, and we'll now move onto the next step."
Harley said Talia's club imposed suspension remains in place and the AFL confirmed on Thursday they supported the way the Swans had handled the matter.
"Following his arrest last month Michael was stood down from all club activities and that remains the case, such is the severity of this situation," he said.
"It's clearly disappointing and concerning to have one of our players in this position, but Michael is a Swans player and we will continue to support him from both a welfare and education perspective.
"As a club we will now sit down with Michael and discuss our next steps, in terms of how and when he might return to training."
Talia has not played for the Swans since suffering a serious foot injury in the club's round one win over Collingwood at the SCG, and is unlikely to see any senior action again this year.
