Collingwood player Sam Murray is facing a lengthy suspension after recording an elevated reading for a banned substance on match-day.
Murray is understood to have recorded the positive reading to an illicit substance which under the World Anti-Doping Agency code means it is treated as a doping offence.
Under investigation: Sam Murray.
Murray, 20, is believed to be under a provisional suspension as the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority awaits confirmation of the B sample in what is a lengthy process.
The positive test was recorded some weeks ago, and the Magpies have known about it for some time. Murray was withdrawn from the Magpies' team to face Port Adelaide last week for "personal reasons".
Under the WADA code, Murray will be facing a ban of between two and four years, although he may be able to argue that he ingested the substance earlier than match day, which could reduce the penalty.
The substance in question is understood to be an illicit drug, which is classified as performance enhancing on match day only.
Had he recorded a positive test during the week, he would merely have a strike recorded against him under the AFL's illicit drugs code.
On Triple M on Friday morning, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire would not comment on the situation, beyond saying: "I am in no position [to talk]. I don't get informed on the situation and there are also legal, not just AFL, laws in place over drug testing … This is an AFL matter, if it is in fact a matter."
Murray's situation follows Collingwood's suspension of Josh Thomas and Lachie Keeffe in 2015 for two years, for taking an illicit drug which was found to be laced with the banned agent clenbuterol.
The AFL did not comment when contacted on Thursday night.
More to come
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