Case a fizzer, says Vic biochemist

A Melbourne biochemist embroiled in the Essendon doping saga has been ordered to pay a $2500 fine and perform 250 hours community service for possessing and trafficking banned substances.

Former bodybuilder Shane Charter says he'll source his testosterone supplements locally from now on, after pleaded guilty to 12 offences in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday, including trafficking anabolic steroids.

"It means I won't be getting supplements from the USA, it'll only be home-grown testosterone boosters from now on," the 47-year-old told ABC TV outside court.

Charter, who maintained the steroids were for personal use, said his case and the Essendon supplements saga were similar.

"Have a look at the whole saga from the darkest day in sport, it's all been politically driven. What happened here, it was a big fizzer," he said.

"It all fizzled out. What happened here?

"People have come out relatively unscathed in terms of the athletes, so for the better of the AFL things can hopefully move forward now."

Charter was arrested at Melbourne Airport last May as he returned from Bangkok, after previously providing a substance purporting to be testosterone to a covert police officer.

Tests showed the substance contained steroids.