Mathew Stokes faced Geelong Magistrate’s Court today in relation to one charge of possession and one charge of trafficking one gram of cocaine.
The case was adjourned until 27 April, with talks between the prosecution and defense expected in the interim in the hope of finalising the matter.
Stokes’ QC, Mark Dean, described the prosecutions case as weak, saying, "It is difficult to imagine a more tenuous or weak case in relation to trafficking.''
Following on from the adjournment of the case, the Geelong Football Club reaffirmed their previous position on the matter.
The sanctions placed on Mathew by the Club will remain unchanged. Theses sanctions are:
- Until round 1 of the AFL season, Mathew can train at the club only when no other players are present.
- From round 1 - round 4 of the AFL season, Mathew can train with the club's VFL listed players only.
- From round 5- round 7 of the AFL season, Mathew can train with the VFL squad and will be eligible to play in the VFL.
- From round 8, Mathew will be eligible to train with the full squad and for selection in the club's AFL team.
- Mathew has been fined $5,000, the maximum sanction under the AFL player's code of conduct.
- Between now and round 4 of the AFL season, Mathew is participating in full time employment and conducting any training out of working hours.
- Mathew is to establish a relationship with a drug related community program and assist with that program on an on-going basis.
With the case adjourned until a contest mention on April 27, 2010 this will mean Mathew will by then by training with the VFL squad and be eligible to play in the VFL.
