AFL star pictured with white powder

Author Photo
Hunt Bennell

MORE: Hunt names NRL and AFL players in explosive drug claims

The alleged incident occurred in March 2013 at a Hobart hotel with the Herald Sun publishing the photos of Bennell with the white substance - reported to be speed.

Bennell is pictured with five lines of white powder and a rolled-up banknote on a hotel desk.

The photos were reportedly taken only nine days before Gold Coast's 2013 AFL season opener against St Kilda.

Suns chief executive Andrew Travis was adamant that the 22-year-old's health and welfare would be the number one issue.

"Our first priority is the genuine concern for the player involved," Travis said. 

"Other issues will be considered over the coming days."

The revelations come only days after former Gold Coast player Karmichael Hunt told the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission that up to 12 AFL teammates and one NRL star had used cocaine with him.

Hunt played 44 games at the Gold Coast  from 2011 to 2014 and was housemates with Bennell - the No.2 pick in the 2010 AFL draft.

Author(s)
Kieran Francis Photo

Kieran Francis is a senior editor at Sporting News Australia.