If he is delisted in the coming month, the Hawks will be able to retain Tuck as one of their training squad members, under the League’s new rules allowing clubs to trial players in the NAB Cup.
However, Tuck must attend drug rehabilitation programs and continue to undergo regular testing.
“The tribunal was satisfied that the player was guilty of engaging in conduct which was unbecoming or likely to prejudice the reputation or interests of the AFL or bring the game of football into disrepute, in breach of the rules,” tribunal chairman John Hassett said when the penalty was handed down late on Tuesday evening.
“The whole thrust of the policy is to look to the welfare of the player and it’s in accordance with that policy that the tribunal has acted.”
Tuck was found unconscious in his car by police on Friday night, having suffered a suspected drug overdose, and was transported to hospital.
He admitted to the policy breaches and the tribunal took into account that he had been undergoing treatment - begun after his first positive test - before he lapsed on Friday.
The tribunal, which was chaired by Hassett, who is a former Victorian County Court judge, and also included drug experts Susan White and Andrew Garnham, found Tuck's drug use was not recreational but was a by-product of his depression.
“Travis Tuck has been undergoing intensive treatment pursuant to the illicit drugs policy for some time and he has responded extremely well to that treatment before his recent lapse,” AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson explained.
“I’d like to emphasise as did the chairman of the tribunal that the fundamental aim of the policy has always been the health and welfare of AFL players.
“The health and welfare of Travis Tuck is our primary concern and not only do the orders tonight provide Travis with the opportunity to continue his football, but they also provide that the treatment which he has been receiving and responding well to, will and must continue.”
Under the League's drugs policy the first offence if a $5000 suspended fine, the second offence is a six-match suspension and third offence is a further six-match suspension.
After consulting with the AFL Players’ Association, the Hawthorn medical staff and Tuck's treating clinicians and drug counsellors, the tribunal has waived the $5000 fine.
The tribunal's findings also included stipulations for further drug testing and counselling.
In addition to any testing under the AFL illicit drugs policy or the AFL anti-doping code, Tuck will be subject to urine testing for illicit drugs up to three times per week and he must cooperate fully with any request to provide a sample for testing.
Tuck must also continue to cooperate with the AFL medical officers and attend any drug rehabilitation program or medical expert nominated by them.
“We’re encouraged that the AFL tribunal tonight has taken the time to hear evidence put forward on behalf of Travis Tuck and to uphold the medical model, which underpins the industry’s illicit drugs policy,” added AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis.
In a statement issued after the findings were handed down Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox criticised the League's drugs policy for not allowing the club to try and help Tuck before the third breach occurred.
"The club is deeply concerned it now finds one of its players suspended from the game under the AFL illicit drugs policy, without having been able to offer him a comprehensive network of support, guidance or counselling, and this is not to discredit the significant role our club doctor has played in managing this issue," Fox said.
“Whilst the club agrees that an illicit drugs policy is necessary, we are disappointed that we could not provide Travis with support after his first strike and just maybe we could have avoided this situation."
