Crowley’s career on the line

Fremantle have vowed not to let Ryan Crowley’s date with the AFL anti-doping tribunal on Friday distract them from their flying start to the season, with forward Chris Mayne declaring the tagger’s fate has to be put to one side.

Crowley, 31, will put forward his case at a hearing in Melbourne this week after testing positive to a “specified” substance following the Dockers’ round-17 win over Greater Western Sydney at Patersons Stadium last year.

The substance was believed to have been contained in a painkiller provided to Crowley by someone from outside the club.

The 2012 Doig medallist, who has been provisionally suspended since last September, faces a ban of up to two years — a sentence which would almost certainly end his career.

Fremantle are unbeaten on top of the ladder after their 14-point win over Sydney last Saturday and will bid to take their record to 5-0 for the first time in club history when they face Melbourne at the MCG on Sunday.

Mayne said though the players were aware of this week’s hearing, they needed to focus on continuing their form rather than their teammate’s future.

“To Ryan’s credit he’s dealt with it with himself and his family and the support staff he’s had with him,” Mayne said.

“The boys that are really close to him have been able to get to him if he needs support, but he’s been excellent, he’s kind of kept that matter separate.

“However the hearing goes we’ll support Ryan, but until that comes we’ll just focus on what we’ve got to do at the moment.

“That’s what he’s said as well, ‘put me aside and focus on what’s more important’.”

Crowley has continued to train with the club while awaiting his hearing.

Dockers midfielder Stephen Hill said the thoughts of the club were with Crowley this week, but denied the hearing would be a distraction.

“I don’t think so, I think we’re a pretty good group at focusing on the challenge ahead,” he said.

“We won’t get caught up in that. He seems in pretty good spirits. Hopefully everything goes well for him because he’s a pretty important player.”

The Dockers underlined their premiership credentials in the win over Sydney, but Mayne said they would look closely at the second half after allowing their opponents back into the game for the second week in a row.

He said Fremantle would still be full of confidence going into the clash with Melbourne.

The Demons were yesterday dealt a blow, with the news Dean Kent would require surgery on his injured left hamstring and be out of the game for more than two months.

Fellow WA product Neville Jetta will also miss Sunday’s clash due to the lingering effects of concussion.