Greater Western Sydney star Lachie Whitfield will miss just seven games of the 2017 season after accepting an AFL ban.The fallout was more far-reaching for former Giants staffers - football boss Graeme Allan and welfare manager Craig Lambert - who were banned on Tuesday for 12 months.Allan, who was installed as general manager of football at Collingwood in August, quit his post in response to the suspension.Lambert has since moved on to a similar post with Brisbane and will miss the entire 2017 season.The trio was investigated after Whitfield spent three days at Lamberts house, with the knowledge of Allan, in May last year in an alleged bid to avoid a possible drug test, which is a violation of the anti-doping code.However, in a move ticked off by ASADA, the AFL instead handed bans down for a breach of its own rule 2.3 - conduct unbecoming or prejudicial to the interests of the AFL.The trio had maintained throughout that Whitfield was simply seeking help as he went through a messy relationship break-up.The AFL, however, took a dim view of the situation.I think people are always disappointed in individuals who make mistakes and this is a poor reflection on them, clearly, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said of the conduct of Allan and Lambert.I would say (its) a mistake thats hard to believe.Whitfield will be barred from using GWS facilities for four months before returning to train for the final two months of his ban while not being allowed to play.He will be eligible to return against Collingwood in Round 8, but McLachlan defended the severity of the penalty.Hes a 19-year-old kid who took advice from his supervisors, the people who were looking after him, so theres a different allocation of responsibility, he said.Theres not one piece of evidence or any allegation of anything to do with performance-enhancing drugs.Much harsher bans could have been brought into play if ASADA had pursued the trio for a breach of the anti-doping code.An apologetic Whitfield was glad to put the situation behind him.After a long and stressful 18 months, the AFL and I have reached what we believe to be a fair resolution, Whitfield said in a statement.I was going through a difficult period in my life and was not thinking clearly at the time. I know I should have behaved differently.I sincerely apologise to my teammates, coaches and our supporters. I love playing for the GWS Giants and am determined to repay the faith and loyalty they have shown in me.The league is yet to decide whether GWS will be penalised with a loss of draft picks, with AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon to consider that possibility in the coming days.The AFL draft will be held in Sydney on Friday, November 25.Philadelphia 76ers Gear . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Philadelphia 76ers Pro Shop . Calgary scored on the first shift, and Michael Cammalleri scored twice as the Flames cruised to a 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Saturday. https://www.cheap76ers.com/ . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Fake 76ers Jerseys .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Custom Philadelphia 76ers Jerseys . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs.Scotland could boast an all-NRL centre combination, with North Queenslands Kane Linnett and Euan Aitken from St George Illawarra picked in the Bravehearts Four Nations squad.Linnetts Cowboys teammate Lachlan Coote has also been included, along with former Gold Coast forward Luke Douglas, whos recently joined English Super League club St Helens.My grandpas from Glasgow. Ive always talked about it (playing for Scotland) with my dad, Aitken told the Dragons website.Ive been tuning next year for the World Cup and hopefully we can progress a little bit further.Wests Tigers youngster Tyler Cassel, whos yet to play an NRL game, and Queensland Cup players Billy McConnachiie (Ipswich Jets) and Sheldon Powe-Hobbs (Northern Pride) are the other Australia-based players.ddddddddddddThey are among 10 uncapped players in Bravehearts coach Steve McCormacks squad of 24, which also includes winger Lewis Tierney, son of dual England international and rugby World Cup winner Jason Robinson.Tierney won the Super League with Wigan last week,.Penrith star Peter Wallace has missed out with an elbow injury sustained during the NRL finals.Scotland opens their Four Nations campaign against Australia at Hull on October 28. ' ' '
