• AFL gives Whitfield a six-month ban
• 'Gubby' Allan resigns from Pies
GREATER Western Sydney has moved to distance itself from suspensions to Lachie Whitfield and former club officials, saying their actions "did not conform with clearly established club protocols".
It has been reported the Giants will fight any attempts by the AFL to strip them of draft picks for their part in the episode.
Whitfield has been banned for six months – and won't be available to play until round eight next season – for breaching AFL rules.
In 2015, ex-football boss Graeme Allan and player welfare manager Craig Lambert arranged for Whitfield to stay at Lambert's house in order to avoid the possibility of a drug test over fears he may fail.
Both officials have been handed 12-month bans for their roles in the long-running affair, which were deemed unbecoming or prejudicial to the interests of the AFL.
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In a statement, the Giants went to some lengths to distance themselves from Allan and Lambert's actions.
"Midway through 2015 the club was made aware of an allegation from a member of the public that warranted investigation," the GWS statement said.
"The club acted swiftly and appropriately, alongside the AFL – as soon as the Giants' CEO was made aware of the allegation the AFL and the Giants' board were notified.
"The club's integrity committee immediately commissioned an independent investigation by a senior counsel based on the then available evidence before the senior counsel's report was forwarded to the AFL.
"As reflected in the AFL sanctions for all three individuals, whilst the major allegations have not been pressed, it has been established that former senior staff acted outside of their authority in managing circumstances and taking matters into their own hands.
"Their handling of the matter was independent of the club and did not conform with the clearly established club protocols, thus in no way relating to a governance failure on behalf of the club.
"The club takes integrity matters extremely seriously and has cooperated fully with the AFL on this matter from the outset."
The Giants also pointed out the sanctions have not been applied under the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy, but "AFL rule 2.3, conduct unbecoming or prejudicial to the interests of the AFL".
Whitfield will serve his six-month suspension from November 12 but will be allowed to return to the club and use the facilities for the final two months of his ban.
Allan, who joined his former club Collingwood midway through 2016, has resigned as director of football in the wake of his suspension.
Lambert returned to the Brisbane Lions, where he played 96 games, to be welfare manager with his wife Melissa in September 2015.
