The AFL Players’ Association has issued the following statement in response to the decision of the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal in relation to Collingwood player Sam Murray’s positive test for the metabolite of a prohibited substance (benzoylecgonine).

The AFLPA acknowledges the 18-month period of ineligibility imposed on Sam Murray by the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal on Monday. 

Whilst we await the reasons for the decision, by definition under the Code, a sanction of less than two years acknowledges that the breach of the Code was not intentional and it was not due to any significant fault or negligence by Sam.

The Tribunal’s decision will see Sam eligible to return to play from February 17, 2020 and return to training from December 17, 2019.

We will be in a position to provide further comment once the findings of the Tribunal are delivered.

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Statement to be attributed to Sam Murray

I note the penalty given to me by the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal.

I want to thank my family and friends, management, Collingwood Football Club, my legal team and the AFLPA for their continued support.

During the past 12 months I have been able to reflect on what is important to me. I’m more committed than ever before to continue my AFL career and can now focus on doing everything in my power to keep that dream alive.

I will wait for the Tribunal to deliver the full reasons for its decisions and will be in a position to provide further comment at that time.

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