Sydney Swans listed-player Michael Talia today appeared in a Sydney Court, after he was arrested in Double Bay last month.

Talia pleaded guilty to a drug possession charge and received a 12-month good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded. 

The Sydney Swans have taken their own separate action as a club, and the AFL has been supportive of how they have dealt with this matter

Under the AFL’s Illicit Drug Policy, which operates as an agreement between the AFL and the AFL Player’s Association, today’s matters are recorded as an adverse finding under the Code for player Talia.

As a reminder to all media, there are different consequences at each stage of the Illicit Drug Policy for an adverse finding, which are as follows:

1^st Detection: $5,000 financial sanction (suspended) and compulsory counselling and education programs.

2^nd Detection: Four match suspension and $5,000 sanction imposed. Club notified and the suspension confirmed publicly.

3rd Detection: 12 match suspension.

The AFL has no further comment to make on this matter.