GWS star denies drug allegations

Greater Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield has denied taking illicit drugs and blamed his jealous former girlfriend for making false claims.

Whitfield was investigated over allegations he stayed at the home of former welfare manager Craig Lambert in May last year in order to avoid a drug test.

Fairfax media is reporting that Whitfield has told close friends he categorically denies having taken drugs and says ex-girlfriend Sammi Nowland has an agenda against him.

Whitfield and Ms Nowland were seen as a glamour couple in the AFL before their split in June last year.

When asked by the Daily Telegraph if she sparked the investigation by sending GWS incriminating text messages, Ms Nowland replied: "I might (have), but I can't talk right now.

An independent investigation into the matter has been completed and the Giants say it has vindicated Whitfield, and found no significant basis to support the allegations.

The AFL has confirmed its Integrity Department has conducted its own investigations and the findings will be passed onto ASADA.

Whitfield, as well as both Lambert and former football manager Graeme Allan would face the prospect of two-to-four-year bans if it were proven they conspired to evade or were complicit in seeking to evade a drug test.

Both Allan and Lambert have since left the Giants - Allan was recently appointed football director at Collingwood and Lambert returned to work at the Brisbane Lions.

Matthews said GWS immediately alerted the AFL in July 2015 when they became aware of the allegations and referred the issue to their integrity committee, which commissioned the independent report.

Asked why the Giants hadn't taken any action against Whitfield, Matthews said "because the allegations that were put forward from a member of the public that were referred to a special counsel to investigate came back and largely were proven to be allegations that there weren't sufficient evidence to support.

"So in that regard we didn't see any reason at the time to take any action at all.

"In fact we've since extended Lachie Whitfield's contract. He's an important player to our club.

"We've got a lot of confidence in him and the report that we've received certainly was vindication for Lachie."

Matthews was comfortable with the way the Giants had handled the matter.

"The report that we commissioned that was independent found that there was no really significant basis to support the allegations that were put forward," Mathews said.

"We're very confident and very comfortable in the report that we received and the action we've taken since our club, in my view, has acted properly every step of the way."

Giants' coach Leon Cameron expected Whitfield would play in Saturday week's qualifying final against Sydney, but admitted the timing of the revealed allegation wasn't great.

"It's obviously not ideal, but he's in the club today, he's OK," Cameron said.

"He's got around his teammates and that (the AFL Investigation) will sort itself out in time.

"But at this stage he'll be ready to go next Saturday.

"It's not going to affect us at all."

Whitfield has had a solid season for the Giants, playing 19 out of their 22 home and away games and averaging 20 disposals a match.

He missed three matches in the second half of the season after a bout of tonsillitis.

Matthews wasn't sure who was responsible for bringing the allegations into the public domain but said he wasn't worried about the source.