THE AFL will lodge written submissions on Tuesday regarding the anti-doping case against Ryan Crowley ahead of the Fremantle tagger's Tribunal hearing on May 1.
The deadlines for the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (April 2) and Crowley (April 17) to lodge written submissions with the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal have already passed, but ASADA can make further written submissions in reply to the Crowley and AFL submissions by Friday (April 24).
It is understood AFL submissions in anti-doping cases typically touch on matters including suitable penalties for any infringements of the Anti-Doping Code, testing procedures and the player's contractual relationship with the League.
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The AFL announced last month that it had issued an infraction notice against Crowley on October 1, 2014, after he tested positive for a specified substance after the Dockers' round 17 win over Greater Western Sydney last year.
Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said last month that Crowley had tested positive after taking a painkiller that the Dockers had not prescribed.
Rosich said the 31-year-old had acted outside the club's normal processes by taking the painkiller.
Crowley opted to start a provisional suspension on September 25 last year and trained away from Fremantle's main group for much of the pre-season.
However, since the charges against him were made public last month, Crowley has participated at times in the Dockers' main training sessions.
Teammate Michael Johnson said on Tuesday that the 2012 best and fairest was in good spirits around the club and had been mentoring Clancee Pearce, who has taken on the tagging role.
"He's been very positive," Johnson said.
"It's something that we don't need to talk to him about around the club. He's got his people to talk to about the situation.
"But he's been fantastic for a number of players and Clancee Pearce is one of them. He's actually mentoring Clancee because of the tagging role and that's what we need.
"We need these senior guys mentoring the younger guys, so when we do move on, these guys can step up and perform for the club.
"It's fantastic to see Ryan take on that role and deliver it. So it'll be another big job if someone does tag this week and hopefully Ryan can help them out and get them through."
Crowley faces a ban of up to two years if found guilty.
The Anti-Doping Tribunal will consist of David Jones (chair), John Nixon and Dr Susan White for next month's hearing.
Collingwood's Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas tested positive to the prohibited substance clenbuterol in February and are awaiting the results of B sample tests conducted last week to see whether they will face anti-doping charges.
-With Alex Malcolm
