Crossley’s drug ban possibility

GOLD Coast’s off-field culture is not causing any concern for Suns’ chief executive Mark Evans.

The club is dealing with the news young forward Brayden Crossley produced an “adverse analytical finding” in a test taken by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) officials after a NEAFL match in May.

It’s been reported the 19year-old’s test returned a positive to traces of a cocaine metabolite.

ASADA is now investigating the matter, with Crossley hiring independent legal counsel ahead of the return of his Bsample results. He is reportedly facing a ban of up to four years.

The news has brought back memories of 2015, when the Suns had to deal with Karmichael Hunt’s cocaine possession case and photographs emerging of Harley Bennell with lines of a mystery white powder in a hotel room.

Evans said the club had made great strides off the field since that time.

“We’ve had some really strong investment in what we do on and off the field. We’re comfortable that that has progressed enormously,” he said.

“I think it’s been five years since an incident of this type and some other insights would tell us that we’re on the right path with this.”

Evans also urged people to keep an open mind on Crossley’s matter, with the investigation likely to take months to resolve.

Crossley has not played senior football this year after making 10 appearances in his 2018 AFL debut season. He is off-contract at the end of the year but Evans said the investigation wouldn’t hinder the club’s list management.