Sydney Swans player Caiden Cleary hit with two-game ban over illicit drugs charge
Updated . First published at
The AFL has slapped young Swan Caiden Cleary with a two game ban in relation to an illicit drugs charge.
NSW Police caught the 19-year-old trying to buy drugs at a venue in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs in December.
To compound the issue, Cleary did not tell the Swans, who only recently became aware of the incident and passed the details on to the AFL.
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He was issued a criminal conviction notice for possession of an illicit substance, and has since been fined $400 but escaped a criminal conviction.
In a statement on Friday afternoon, the AFL confirmed Cleary had been found guilty of conduct unbecoming, which constituted an "adverse finding" under its illicit drugs policy, which also earned him a suspended $5,000 fine.
Caiden Cleary celebrates kicking a goal last year. Getty
"AFL players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances, and have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their careers to uphold community expectations," AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.
In their own statement, the Swans said Cleary was "extremely remorseful", and "cooperated fully with the AFL investigation".
"The club is extremely disappointed and does not condone nor tolerate illicit drug behaviour," the statement read.
"The Sydney Swans will continue to educate our players on the pitfalls of such behaviour."
Cleary will be unavailable for the Swans' Opening Round clash with Hawthorn and their round one clash with the Lions. He will also be forced to miss their Community Series match against the Suns.
A first round pick in the 2023 draft, Cleary played five games under John Longmire last year, and had been pushing for permanent spot in Dean Cox' side.
