Greater Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield will miss just seven games of the 2017 season after accepting an AFL ban.
The fallout was more far-reaching for former Giants staffers - football boss Graeme Allan and welfare manager Craig Lambert - who were banned on Tuesday for 12 months.
Allan, who was installed as general manager of football at Collingwood in August, quit his post in response to the suspension.
Lambert has since moved on to a similar post with Brisbane and will miss the entire 2017 season.
The trio was investigated after Whitfield spent three days at Lambert's house, with the knowledge of Allan, in May last year in an alleged bid to avoid a possible drug test, which is a violation of the anti-doping code.
However, in a move ticked off by ASADA, the AFL instead handed bans down for a breach of its own rule 2.3 - conduct unbecoming or prejudicial to the interests of the AFL.
The trio had maintained throughout that Whitfield was simply seeking help as he went through a messy relationship break-up.
The AFL, however, took a dim view of the situation.
"I think people are always disappointed in individuals who make mistakes and this is a poor reflection on them, clearly," AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said of the conduct of Allan and Lambert.
"I would say (it's) a mistake that's hard to believe."
Whitfield will be barred from using GWS facilities for four months before returning to train for the final two months of his ban while not being allowed to play.
He will be eligible to return against Collingwood in round eight, but McLachlan defended the severity of the penalty.
"He's a 19-year-old kid who took advice from his supervisors, the people who were looking after him, so there's a different allocation of responsibility," he said.
"There's not one piece of evidence or any allegation of anything to do with performance-enhancing drugs."
Much harsher bans could have been brought into play if ASADA had pursued the trio for a breach of the anti-doping code.
An apologetic Whitfield was glad to put the situation behind him.
"After a long and stressful 18 months, the AFL and I have reached what we believe to be a fair resolution," Whitfield said in a statement.
"I was going through a difficult period in my life and was not thinking clearly at the time. I know I should have behaved differently.
"I sincerely apologise to my teammates, coaches and our supporters. I love playing for the GWS Giants and am determined to repay the faith and loyalty they have shown in me."
The league is yet to decide whether GWS will be penalised with a loss of draft picks, with AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon to consider that possibility in the coming days.
The AFL draft will be held in Sydney on Friday, November 25.
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