Banned former Brisbane Lions midfielder Rhys Mathieson has publicly taken responsibility for the positive doping test that resulted in a three-year suspension from football. In his first public comments since the ban, Mathieson spoke candidly on the Rip Through It podcast, hosted by ex-teammate Mitch Robinson. The 28-year-old, who last played for the Lions in the 2022 preliminary final, dismissed any notion that he used banned substances to enhance his football performance.
Mathieson’s anti-doping sanction, confirmed by the AFL in a statement on Thursday, was reduced from the maximum four years following extensive meetings and his admission of guilt. The suspension stems from an in-competition sample collected on August 10 last year while he was playing for Wilston-Grange in the Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL), which tested positive for the banned steroid Oxymetholone.
Background and Response
The story of Mathieson’s positive test first broke in August this year. According to Mathieson, he learned about the result in November last year while on holiday in New Zealand. His suspension will last until August 10, 2027, but he will be eligible to resume training with a club on June 10 of that year.
Following the end of his 72-game AFL career in 2023, Mathieson shifted his focus to bodybuilding, a passion that gained him attention due to his significant physical transformation. On the podcast, Mathieson explained, “I’d been waiting eight years for this. 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.”
Bodybuilding Passion and Controversy
Mathieson expressed his enthusiasm for bodybuilding, noting his interest in the process of timed meals, supplements, vitamins, and pre-workouts. He acknowledged the use of banned substances, stating, “I’m aware that it’s banned – I know. But at the same point, I’m only getting ready for local footy. These guys drink beers before the game, [and] they go out the night before the game.”
His journey into bodybuilding was not without challenges. Mathieson adopted a bodybuilding-style lifting regime during his AFL days, against club advice, hoping it would give him an edge. “I dived into a lot of gym supplements [after my AFL career ended],” he said. “I was willing to put anything in my body to transform.”
Transition Challenges and Anti-Doping Process
Despite his passion for bodybuilding, Mathieson faced difficulties transitioning back to football. After being recruited by Wilston-Grange, coached by Brent Moloney, he struggled with fitness. “I couldn’t run laps, my lower back was sore, I was doing soft tissues [injuries],” he said, noting the challenges of adapting to the physical demands of football while being 10 kilograms heavier than his AFL playing weight.
Mathieson described the anti-doping process as “bizarre,” highlighting the extended period before he was informed of his positive test and the intrusive nature of the investigation. He and Robinson speculated that a photo of his physical transformation on the AFL’s social media channels may have triggered the scrutiny. “One night my girlfriend was calling me, and they’re pounding this door down, and she was scared … turns out it was ASADA,” Mathieson recounted.
“What they wanted back was my phone … if you don’t give your phone up, it’s [like] you’re hiding something, and if you don’t agree, it’s a potential fine – it can get up to $60,000, and then potential jail time. I’m thinking, ‘Hang on a minute, I’m not a f—ing criminal!’.”
Support and Future Prospects
The AFL Players’ Association acknowledged Mathieson’s ban and expressed its commitment to supporting him. As Mathieson looks to the future, he remains focused on his bodybuilding ambitions, with aspirations of competing professionally. “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.”
While Mathieson navigates the consequences of his suspension, his story serves as a reminder of the complexities athletes face when balancing personal passions with professional responsibilities. As he awaits the opportunity to return to training, Mathieson’s journey highlights the ongoing challenges and scrutiny athletes encounter in the realm of professional sports.
