MAGPIE Sam Murray is free to play football next year after successfully mitigating his ASADA sanction for drug use.
Murray was facing a four-year ban after traces of cocaine were detected in a game day test in late July 2018, but his legal team was able to reduce that to 18 months.
The 21-year-old played 13 matches for Collingwood last year before beginning a provisional ASADA suspension on August 17, 2018.
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That followed him recording an elevated reading in a post-match drugs test, possibly the Magpies' round 19 game against Richmond at the MCG on July 28.
An AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal two weeks ago sat to hear his case, and results of its deliberations were relayed to the Murray camp and Collingwood on Monday morning.
He will be able to resume training with the Magpies on December 17 this year, and is eligible to play from February 17 next year.
Sam Murray could play in round one, 2020. Picture: AFL Photos
Murray released a statement via the AFL Players' Association, with both parties acknowledging his sanction for testing positive to benzoylecgonine, the main metabolite in cocaine.
"I want to thank my family and friends, management, Collingwood Football Club, (my) legal team and the AFLPA for their continued support," Murray said.
"During the past 12 months, I have been able to reflect on what is important to me.
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"I'm more committed than ever before to continue my AFL career and can now focus on doing everything in my power to keep that dream alive.
"I will wait for the Tribunal to deliver the full reasons for its decisions and will be in a position to provide further comment at that time."
The AFLPA statement said: "A sanction of less than two years acknowledges that the breach of the Code was not intentional and it was not due to any significant fault or negligence by Sam."
The Tribunal is yet to offer an explanation of its decision to Murray, Collingwood or the AFLPA.
Murray will have up to 21 days to appeal the ban once this explanation is received.
