The AFL confirms Western Bulldogs player Bailey Smith has been found guilty of conduct unbecoming and has been suspended for two matches.
Content recently emerged on social media platforms, showing Smith using an illicit substance.
The AFL interviewed Smith this week who admitted to illicit substance use in late 2021.
The AFL found that Smith committed a breach of AFL Rule 2.3(a), which states; A Person must not engage in conduct which is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the AFL or to bring the game of football into disrepute.
Smith’s two-match ban will commence after his current suspension for on-field conduct in Round 12 is served (by missing Rounds 14 and 15 following Western Bulldogs’ bye in Round 13), meaning he will be unavailable for the Bulldogs’ Round 16 and Round 17 games (and he will not be permitted to play VFL matches during that suspension). His conduct also constitutes a notifiable adverse finding under the AFL's Illicit Drugs Policy.
The AFL wishes to reiterate that AFL Players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances, and have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their professional careers to uphold community expectations.