Carlton off-field crisis deepens after defender suspended for drink-driving

Carlton will be without Lachie Cowan early in 2027 after the defender was found guilty of conduct unbecoming by the AFL and suspended for two matches after his club and the league investigated “his use of an illicit substance last weekend”.

Cowan, who collapsed at a party in the early hours of Sunday, was also issued with a $5000 suspended fine and now has an adverse finding listed against his name under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy.

“AFL players have a responsibility to themselves and their professional careers to uphold community expectations. 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,” the league’s chief operating officer Tom Harley said in confirming the penalty on Friday.

In finding Cowan guilty of conduct unbecoming, the AFL said it considered the “circumstances in which the matter subsequently became public”.

The league said it would require Cowan to undertake education on illicit substances and their effects additional to the mandatory training undertaken by AFL players.

The players will all be undertaking fresh education training through November and December as the league prepares to introduce its new illicit drugs policy. When they return for training in January, every single AFL player will be hair-tested, the readings of which will trace back the previous three to six months.

The incident involving Cowan at the weekend was first investigated by his club. Carlton passed its information to the AFL, and further enquiries were conducted.

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