Joel Smith: Melbourne Demons forward slapped with career-ending ban for attempted drug trafficking

Melbourne forward Joel Smith has reportedly been slapped with a four-year ban for cocaine use and drug trafficking.

The 28-year-old had tested positive to cocaine following a match in August last year and was later hit with charges of trafficking after a Sport Integrity Australia probe.

According to a Herald Sun report, the ban, which will almost certainly put an end to his AFL career, is set to be confirmed by the league and the SIA on Friday.

The report also suggests at least four Melbourne teammates have been sweating on the results of the investigation, with texts from Smith offering cocaine uncovered by the SIA.

Smith and his camp were hoping the ban would be as little as three months.

The ban is the latest blow in a period of massive upheaval for the embattled club and comes on the same day chief executive Gary Pert announced he would be standing down.

Smith’s father Shaun, who also played for the club, said earlier this year he was worried an example was being made unfairly of his son.

“It feels like my son is being manipulated into being the fall guy here, in order to protect the AFL brand,” he said.

“He’s being made a scapegoat, and I’m really worried for him.”

It was widely reported at the time Smith was not a drug-user before landing at Melbourne as a rookie in 2016.

More to come