Carlton star Lachlan Cowan has been handed a two match ban, the AFL confirmed on Friday.
Cowan was hospitalised after suffering a seizure following a house party on Saturday night.
Will Hayward is set to escape a sanction.
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Hayward, 27, who hosted the house party in South Yarra, was hospitalised after hitting his head in the shower.
He denied any drug use.
Life support medics were called to assist Cowan following his seizure.
Cowan’s incident only became a public matter when he was admitted to The Alfred hospital in Melbourne following his seizure.
The AFL announced the suspension in a statement on Friday.
“The AFL confirms Carlton player Lachlan Cowan has been found guilty of conduct unbecoming and suspended for two matches following an investigation into his use of an illicit substance last weekend and the circumstances in which the matter subsequently became public,” the league said in a statement.
“The Carlton Football Club investigated the matter and subsequently provided information to the AFL, which conducted further enquiries.
“Cowan has been suspended for the first two home and away matches of 2027 and issued a $5,000 suspended fine.
“The matter will also constitute a notifiable adverse finding under the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy.
“Cowan will be required to undertake further education above the current mandated training on illicit substances and their effects.”
Cowan has made a public apology in a statement released by the club.
“I should never have put myself in such a vulnerable situation, I want to apologise for the impact my actions have had on my family and the football club,” Cowan said.
“I also want to thank the medical professionals who helped me on the night, the football club for their ongoing support and everyone who took the time to reach out and make sure I was okay.
“This is a wake-up call and I am just so grateful to now be in a position to learn from this.”
Code Sports first reported that Carlton officials were left feeling “extremely disappointed and frustrated” by the players’ behaviour.
Carlton General Manager of Football Chris Davies responded to the incident in the statement released by the club.
“Most importantly we are thankful that Lachie is okay and received the medical attention he needed,” Carlton General Manager of Football Chris Davies said.
“We have been in regular contact with Lachie this week and he has taken ownership of his mistake.
“Lachie understands that it is his responsibility to ensure he makes better decisions moving forward.”
AFL chief operating officer Tom Harley also said: “AFL Players have a responsibility to themselves and their professional careers to uphold community expectations.
“They are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances. Lachlan admitted his mistake and understands he must be accountable for his actions.”
The AFL’s new illicit drugs policy will come into effect in January 2027 after education sessions with every club and player across November and December.
All players will be hair tested upon their return to training in January, with readings going as far back as three to six months prior.
Originally published as Carlton star Lachlan Cowan banned for ‘conduct unbecoming’ over illicit substance incident