Carlton star Lachie Cowan issues statement after serious ‘wake-up call’ as AFL confirms two-match ban

The AFL have confirmed Carlton defender Lachie Cowan will be suspended for the first two matches of the 2027 season after admitting to taking illicit drugs over the weekend.

7NEWS first revealed Cowan was taken to hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning after suffering a seizure at teammate Will Hayward’s house in South Yarra.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Carlton’s Lachie Cowan facing two-match ban for illicit drugs

Life support paramedics treated the 21-year-old at the house before he was transported to the Alfred Hospital. He was checked and then released later on Sunday morning.

Carlton launched an investigation into the incident and then provided information to the AFL. The investigation found that Cowan used an illicit drug.

As well as a two-match ban, Cowan has also been issued a suspended $5000 fine. And he will also have a notifiable adverse finding under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy.

“I should never have put myself in such a vulnerable situation, I want to apologise for the impact my actions have had on my family and the football club,” Cowan said.

“I also want to thank the medical professionals who helped me on the night, the football club for their ongoing support and everyone who took the time to reach out and make sure I was OK.

“This is a wake-up call and I am just so grateful to now be in a position to learn from this.”

Cowan will be required to undertake further education above the current mandated training on illicit substances and their effects. “AFL players have a responsibility to themselves and their professional careers to uphold community expectations,” AFL COO Tom Harley said.

“They are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances. Lachlan admitted his mistake and understands he must be accountable for his actions.”

Meanwhile, Hayward has escaped sanction with neither the AFL or Carlton mentioning him in their statements on Friday.

Hayward also required hospital treatment on Sunday morning after falling and cutting his head in what the club described as a separate incident.

The AFL’s new illicit drugs policy will come into effect in January 2027 after education sessions with every club and player across November and December.