In a raw and revealing interview, Brisbane Lions midfielder Rhys Mathieson has broken his silence on the doping ban that shocked the AFL community, admitting he was willing to "put anything in my body" to achieve his football dreams.
The 26-year-old received a two-year suspension from Sport Integrity Australia after testing positive for SARMS (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators), substances banned under the AFL's anti-doping code.
The Desperate Mindset Behind the Ban
Mathieson confessed to taking the banned substances during the 2022 off-season, driven by frustration and desperation after struggling to secure his spot in the Lions' senior lineup.
"I was willing to put anything in my body to try and transform myself," Mathieson revealed. "I was at a point where I thought, 'What have I got to lose?' I just wanted to get bigger, stronger, faster."
From Promise to Panic
Selected by the Lions with pick 39 in the 2015 national draft, Mathieson showed early promise but found himself in and out of the senior team throughout his career. The constant battle for selection took a psychological toll.
"When you're not playing AFL, you start to panic," he explained. "You see other guys getting opportunities and you think you need to do something drastic. That's where my head was at."
The Cost of Cutting Corners
Mathieson's suspension, backdated to December 2022, means he won't be eligible to return until December 2024. The midfielder described the aftermath as "the toughest period of my life" but acknowledged he only had himself to blame.
"I knew the risks, I knew it was against the rules, but I did it anyway," he admitted. "It was a stupid, selfish decision that I'll regret forever."
A Warning to Other Athletes
Now working in construction during his ban, Mathieson hopes his story serves as a cautionary tale for young athletes tempted to take shortcuts.
"Don't be like me," he urged. "No matter how desperate you feel, no matter how much you want to make it, it's not worth risking your career and your reputation."
The once-promising midfielder remains determined to return to professional football when his suspension ends, though he acknowledges the road back will be challenging.
