Geelong premiership forward Mathew Stokes could face a lifetime AFL ban if he is found guilty of dealing cocaine, the sport's authorities have warned.
Under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, the penalty for trafficking a prohibited substance ranges from four years to a lifetime suspension.
The AFL has pointed out the severe penalty, emphasising how seriously they view the Stokes case.
Stokes was charged in Geelong Magistrates Court on Wednesday with trafficking and possessing cocaine and released on bail.
It is alleged Stokes told police he bought one gram of cocaine for a friend, but there is no allegation he used the drug himself.
The Cats have stood Stokes down from all club activities.
'Serious charges'
"The charge of trafficking is a very serious matter and one that the club and the AFL are treating extremely seriously," said AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson.
"The AFL supports Geelong's decision to stand down Stokes until further notice.
"Under the WADA Code, standard penalties for those found guilty of trafficking range from a four-year suspension to a lifetime ban."
The allegations against Stokes are a massive setback for the Cats as they prepare to defend their second premiership in three years.
Geelong have prided themselves on their player discipline and off-field behaviour over the last three years.
In the wake of their disastrous 2006 season, the club underwent an extensive review and one important element was the team's culture.
Supporters' favourite
The club suspended forward Steve Johnson at the start of the 2007 season for off-field misbehaviour.
By the end of that season, Johnson had won the Norm Smith Medal as the Cats won their first premiership in 44 years.
Stokes was a significant part of Geelong's 2007 premiership team, but the forward was unlucky to miss last year's grand final win over St Kilda after withdrawing from the preliminary final against Collingwood with a groin injury.
Stokes earned great respect for how he dealt with last year's grand final omission.
As a prank, he dressed up in the club mascot suit for the celebrations on grand final night.
In his four years at Geelong, Stokes has been a favourite with supporters, playing 71 games and kicking 108 goals.
'No rush to judgement'
He was also named the club's 2009 community champion and last November signed a new two-year contract with the Cats.
"This is not a rush to judgement but a reflection on the seriousness of the situation," Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said of Stokes' club suspension.
"It is important for Mathew that he deals with legal issues at hand as his first priority.
"As we have in the past, the club will not rush to formulate a long term determination of any penalty."
Stokes will reappear in Geelong Magistrates Court for a committal mention on March 12.
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