Carlton defender Lachie Cowan is sanctioned by the AFL following an investigation into an illicit substance incident last weekend. Multiple outlets report that Cowan collapsed at a party in the early hours of Sunday and was taken to hospital. After the AFL’s decision, Cowan releases a statement apologising for the episode and acknowledging the outcome of the process.
The AFL sanction includes a ban, with several reports specifying a two-match suspension. Outlets also say Cowan receives a $5,000 suspended fine and an adverse finding is recorded under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy. Reporting differs mainly on what happens to teammates: some outlets say Cowan’s teammate Will Hayward avoids AFL punishment. There is also mention that the incident may affect Cowan’s participation at the start of the 2027 season, depending on the sanction’s timing.
