Swans' Caiden Cleary faces two-match ban for drug-related conduct

Sydney Swans player Caiden Cleary has been suspended for the first two rounds of the AFL season due to conduct unbecoming after being caught attempting to buy drugs last December. The 19-year-old has received a suspended $5,000 fine and a $400 penalty from police, with no criminal conviction recorded. Cleary has expressed remorse and has fully cooperated with the AFL investigation, while the Swans have emphasized their disappointment and commitment to educating players about the dangers of illicit drug use. He will miss key matches against Hawthorn and the Brisbane Lions as a result of the suspension. AFL general counsel Stephen Meade reiterated that players have a responsibility to uphold community expectations regarding substance use. This incident follows a trend of suspensions within the league for drug-related offenses.