In a candid conversation, former Brisbane Lions midfielder Rhys Mathieson has taken responsibility for the positive doping test that resulted in a three-year suspension from football. Speaking publicly for the first time on the “Rip Through It” podcast with ex-teammate Mitch Robinson, Mathieson addressed the circumstances surrounding his ban and clarified misconceptions about his intentions.
Mathieson, 28, who last appeared for the Lions in the 2022 preliminary final, emphasized that his use of banned substances was not aimed at enhancing his football performance. The Australian Football League (AFL) confirmed his anti-doping sanction, which was reduced from the maximum four years following extensive discussions and his admission of guilt. The suspension stems from an in-competition sample taken on August 10, 2022, while playing for Wilston-Grange in the Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL), which detected the presence of the steroid Oxymetholone.
Transition to Bodybuilding
After concluding his 72-game AFL career in 2023, Mathieson redirected his focus towards bodybuilding, a passion he had harbored for years. He gained attention for his dramatic physical transformation, which he discussed on the podcast.
“I’d been waiting eight years for this,” Mathieson shared. “Yes, AFL was the No.1 priority, but I always had this in the back of my head, and once I started doing it, I fell in love with it.”
He explained his newfound enthusiasm for the bodybuilding lifestyle, which included timed meals, supplements, and pre-workouts—elements he couldn’t indulge in during his AFL days. Mathieson admitted to using substances that are banned in professional sports, rationalizing that his focus was on local footy, where the culture is more relaxed.
Challenges and Consequences
Mathieson revealed the difficulties he faced transitioning back to football after adopting a bodybuilding regimen. Recruited by Wilston-Grange, he struggled with fitness and injuries due to his increased weight and altered training focus.
“I couldn’t run laps, my lower back was sore, I was doing soft tissues [injuries],” he recounted. “I felt so disappointed that I couldn’t give [my best] because of what I’d done to myself.”
In response, Mathieson had to significantly cut back on his supplements and vitamins to prepare for the football season, a challenging adjustment given his heavier physique compared to his AFL days.
Anti-Doping Process and Reactions
The anti-doping process, according to Mathieson, was fraught with tension and unexpected challenges. He described the experience as “bizarre,” from the delay in receiving his test results to the invasive measures taken by authorities, including door-knocking his girlfriend and relatives and demanding access to his phone.
“One night my girlfriend was calling me, and they’re pounding this door down, and she was scared … turns out it was ASADA,” Mathieson said.
Mathieson and Robinson speculated that a photo of his transformation on the AFL’s social media might have triggered the scrutiny. Despite the ordeal, the AFL Players’ Association has acknowledged Mathieson’s ban and pledged ongoing support.
Looking Forward
With his suspension set until August 10, 2027, Mathieson can resume training with a club from June 10 of that year. Meanwhile, he remains committed to his bodybuilding aspirations, expressing a desire to transition from a professional football player to a professional bodybuilder.
“I like the science behind transforming your body, and I really have a passion for it,” he said. “I’d love to [go] from a pro footy player to a pro bodybuilder – it would be a pretty cool thing, in my opinion.”
As Mathieson navigates the next chapter of his life, his story highlights the complexities athletes face when balancing personal passions with professional responsibilities, and the stringent nature of anti-doping regulations in sports.
