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.

He was later hit by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) with charges of trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine to third parties.

The AFL announced Smith’s punishment, in connection with five anti-doping rule violations under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code, on Friday.

The league said in a statement that Smith’s suspension has been agreed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, SIA and the AFL with Joel Smith.

Smith is banned from playing until 9 January 2028, but can return to training in November 2027. He has not been charged with any criminal offence.

The AFL added that Smith’s suspension relates to five rule violations:

• A positive match-day test for cocaine after Melbourne played Hawthorn on 20 August 2023

• Trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine on and/or between 12 April 2020 and 7 September 2020

• Trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine on and/or between 28 July and 30 July 2022

• Trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine on and/or between 5 September and 10 September 2022

• Possession of cocaine on 9 September 2022

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon welcomed the ban handed to Smith.

“The outcome in this matter, in which Joel Smith has been suspended for more than four years, reflects the seriousness with which the AFL treats breaches of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code and is a salutary lesson for any player using illicit substances that are prohibited under the WADA Code,” Dillon said.

“The use of performance enhancing substances is strictly prohibited in Australian Football and the AFL will continue to work with Sport Integrity Australia to identify and prosecute the use of such substances In-Competition and other conduct prohibited by the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.”

The 28-year-old Smith will be almost 32 when his completes his ban and is currently out of contract at the Demons.