AFL player Joel Smith will enjoy the biggest natural high of his life if he wins The Frownlow Medal later this year.
Smith has firmed as one of the favourites for the prestigious medal after earning a four-year ban from AFL for drug offences.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes: the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while NRL star Talatau Amone is the most recent recipient.
The Melbourne utility has been banned from playing Australian Football, or any other sport that signs up to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code, until early 2028.
Does that include reality TV shows?
Let’s hope not, for the sake of Joel and his young family.
Smith was banned because he tested positive for cocaine during a routine drug test on game day in August 2023. He received the four-year suspension because it was later discovered through examination of his text messages that he offered the cocaine to his teammates, and this is considered trafficking.
So much for being a good teammate.
It is understood Smith has been swamped with calls and messages from current and former players who want to add some spice to the awards night for The Frownlow Medal and The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame later this year, where Smith could be the star of the show.
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 