Crowley fronts up to AFL doping hearing

The hearing into Ryan Crowley’s doping allegations has concluded, but the star Fremantle tagger will probably have to wait several weeks before finding out his fate.

Crowley fronted the AFL’s Anti-Doping Tribunal on Monday after testing positive to a “specified” banned substance last year.

If found guilty, Crowley faces a ban of up to two years – a scenario that would almost certainly end his AFL career.

The 31-year-old has been provisionally suspended since September last year.

Crowley claims he ingested the banned substance through a painkiller he sourced from outside of the club.

If Crowley is found not guilty – or is suspended for fewer than eight months – it would free him to rejoin Fremantle’s playing ranks immediately.

However, a decision one way or another isn’t expected until later this month or early next month, with the Tribunal saying it will hand down its findings “as soon as practicable”.

The three-person tribunal was comprised of chairman David Jones, former judge John Nixon, and Dr Susan White.

Monday’s hearing was closed to the media, meaning few details will be made public even once the decision is handed down.

Crowley’s playing absence has been barely felt by Fremantle, who are two wins clear on top of the table following their 7-0 start to the season.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon says it’s too hard to predict whether Crowley will be able to play for the club this season.

“It’s out of my jurisdiction. I’m sitting here waiting for the outcome like you are,” Lyon said.

“ASADA aren’t ringing me up and saying, ‘We haven’t heard the case yet, but here’s what’s going to happen Ross’.

“Look, he would be stressed.

“He would like it resolved one way or another.

“It’s disappointing he’s found himself in that (situation).

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