Footy fans claim Sydney Swans AFLW stars who were busted with cocaine are getting off lightly compared to male players who get caught with drugs
Footy fans are blowing up over the ‘light punishment’ two AFLW Sydney Swans players busted with cocaine have received, insisting that male players caught with drugs are treated more harshly.
According to court records, Alexia Hamilton, 23, and Paige Sheppard, 22, were found guilty of possessing a prohibited drug at Waverley Local Court on January 30.
The revelation comes after 9News Melbourne initially reported that two unnamed stars from the Swans’ women’s team were charged by police late last year, during the off-season.
The pair received conditional release orders, similar to good behaviour bonds, with the AFL revealing it is aware of the incident.
As part of the conditional release order, Hamilton and Sheppard must abstain from drugs and not commit further offences for the length of the 12-month period.
The Swans have not commented but the club has reportedly been aware of the incident for months.
Footy fans believe two AFLW Swans players busted with cocaine have got off lightly (pictured, Alexia Hamilton)
Hamilton and Paige Sheppard (pictured, left) were each sentenced to a 12-month conditional release order – essentially a good behaviour bond – after being caught with cocaine in 2023
When contacted by Nine, the Swans declined to comment, but key officials were reportedly aware of the issue for months.
Under the AFL’s illict drugs policy, any player caught using illegal drugs receive a first strike, a suspended $5000 fine and counselling and are subject to target testing.
A second strike results in the player being named publicly and banned for four matches.
It’s the first cocaine scandal in the AFLW, but many footy fans online feel that female players should be treated the same as their male counterparts.
‘So There Are Cocaine Cowgirls In The #AFLW Swans. Don’t Fret. Nothing Serious Happened To Them When They Went To Court. Because Taking Drugs Is An Acceptable Pastime,’ wrote one X user.
‘Two AFLW players charged in unprecedented cocaine scandal Big sign of growth in the women’s game. You want equality? Then start behaving, playing, performing like the men,’ another said.
Another user pointed out how former Sydney Swans player Michael Talia was stood down indefinitely by the club following a similar incident.
The incident occurred in December, after the Swans’ AFLW season had ended, and the club has reportedly been aware for months (Paige Sheppard is pictured playing for the Swans)
The AFL has been rocked by recent drug scandals among males stars and is currently reviewing its drugs policy (pictured, Alexia Hamilton plays for the Swans)
The X user wrote: ‘And having the same repercussions. Swans let Talia go after he was caught. What about these to. No DH rule applies,’ referring to Sydney’s famous ‘no d***heads’ rule.
Another joked: ‘I mean, that AFLW players can afford cocaine is progress, right?’
The latest story once again highlights footy’s relationship with drugs, with Melbourne Demons star Joel Smith facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines following a failed test.
Unlike the two unnamed AFLW players, Smith allegedly failed the test in competition, meaning, if found guilty, he would face a more severe punishment.
Smith has been provisionally suspended since October, when he was notified of a positive cocaine test following the Demons’ round-20 win over Hawthorn on August 20.
