Melbourne player Joel Smith handed four-year AFL ban for cocaine saga

Joel Smith has been banned from playing AFL or Australian rules football in any form until 2028 as part of a sanction for cocaine use and trafficking. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

Joel Smith has been banned from playing any form of Australian rules football until 2028.

Smith, who has made 42 AFL appearances for Melbourne, returned a positive test for cocaine following the Demons’ win over Hawthorn in round 23 last year.