Rhys Mathieson speaks about three-year ban from football after positive test

Banned former Brisbane Lions midfielder Rhys Mathieson has taken responsibility for the positive test that cost him a three-year suspension from football, in his first public comments.

Mathieson’s penalty, which the AFL and Sport Integrity Australia will announce soon, was reduced from the maximum four years after extensive meetings, and in part because of his admission of fault after he was originally tested in August 2024.

Speaking on the Rip Through It podcast with ex-teammate Mitch Robinson, Mathieson said he found out about his positive test in November last year while holidaying in New Zealand.

After his 72-game career ended in 2023, Mathieson chose to focus on his bodybuilding pblockion, which he said was already there during his AFL career.

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“I had a high interest in health and fitness, and so when I stepped into that world, I had a lot of friends already in there, some mates who were quite big, and whatever,” he said on the podcast which was released on Thursday.

“I dived into a lot of gym supplements. I mean, a lot – a lot of it, and some you just buy off the shelves and whatever, and some boys had their own. I was willing to put anything in my body to transform.

“I like the science behind transforming your body, and I really have a pblockion for it. I love to see these guys compete, and one day, maybe, I will compete. So, that is a goal. I’d love to [go] from a pro footy player to a pro bodybuilder, it would be a pretty cool thing, in my opinion.

“That’s where my focus went, when I knew AFL wasn’t going to be the plan.”