Former Brisbane Lion Rhys Mathieson Handed Three-Year Doping Ban
Former Brisbane Lions midfielder Rhys Mathieson has been hit with a three-year suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance — a decision that has officially closed a long-running investigation into one of the AFL’s more serious doping cases in recent years.
The ruling, set to be confirmed by the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), stems from a positive test recorded in August 2024 while Mathieson was playing for Wilston Grange in Queensland’s state league. Though no longer on an AFL list, Mathieson remained under the jurisdiction of the league’s anti-doping code, meaning he was still subject to random testing and disciplinary action.
The 28-year-old, known for his hard-nosed midfield play during 72 senior games with the Brisbane Lions, was provisionally suspended late last year when the positive result first surfaced. After months of legal and procedural delays, his case has finally reached its conclusion. The three-year sanction was reduced from the maximum four years, largely because Mathieson admitted fault and cooperated with the investigation. The penalty also takes into account the lengthy delay between his initial test and the official ruling.
Also Read:- Meet NEO — The $20,000 Humanoid Robot Built to Help at Home
- Jamaica Battles the Fury of Hurricane Melissa
According to multiple sources close to the matter, Mathieson did not challenge the finding before the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal or the National Sports Tribunal — a step that might have extended the process even further. The banned substance in question is understood to be one prohibited both in and out of competition, unlike some other recent AFL doping cases that involved recreational drugs such as cocaine, which are only banned on match days.
Mathieson’s case stands out because it involves a performance-enhancing drug, a relatively rare occurrence in Australian football. Most previous high-profile bans have stemmed from illicit substances used socially rather than to gain a sporting advantage. The AFL has made it clear that any detection of anabolic steroids, testosterone, or similar agents carries serious penalties under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.
A popular figure among teammates, Mathieson had built a reputation as the “barometer” of Brisbane’s energy during games. However, after being delisted in 2023 — the year the Lions reached the grand final — he continued his career at the state-league level, where he was among the competition’s top performers.
His transformation into a visibly more muscular athlete last year had drawn attention on social media, and now, with the doping confirmation, that physical change has come under further scrutiny. While Mathieson has yet to make a public comment, the AFL Players’ Association, which represented him through the process, declined to offer a statement.
For now, the suspension sidelines Mathieson from all forms of sport governed by the anti-doping code until the ban expires — a sharp and sobering fall for a player once known for his tenacity and spirit on the field.
Read More:
0 Comments