Hawthorn's Travis Tuck faces a lengthy ban and a heavy fine after becoming the first-ever AFL player to have breached the league's three-strikes drug policy.
Tuck was found unconscious in his car on Friday night by police outside a suburban hotel and was taken to hospital where he was treated for a drug overdose.
The 22-year-old was not charged by police who found drug paraphernalia at the scene.
However, the AFL will hold a special tribunal hearing on Tuesday night after Tuck admitted that he had breached the AFL's Illicit Drug policy for a third time.
"Following discussions with player Tuck, the Hawthorn Football Club, his management, his treating doctors and the AFLPA today, Mr Tuck confirmed his actions had been in breach of the policy," the AFL statement said.
"The incident constituted a third failed test under the Illicit Drug policy. Under the AFL Illicit Drug policy, which was introduced in 2005, a player recording three failed tests must face an AFL Tribunal."
Tuck's admission of guilt means the tribunal will decide only on a sanction.
Tuck faces a total suspension of 18 matches plus a $5000 fine.
It appears Tuck will not be present at the closed hearing given he is still receiving treatment and has admitted his guilt.
"Tuck continues to be in the care of doctors who are treating him for a number of issues, including his illicit drug use. He is also still receiving counselling under the Illicit Drug policy," the statement said.
Earlier, Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said Hawthorn were investigating whether there was an attempt to cover up the drug-related incident.
"We only found out about this on Saturday night," Kennett told SEN.
"Our first, second, third concern at the moment is for Travis, and his family and the club are doing everything they can to support him."
"Until we have completed our investigations and done more work, I don't think there is any value at all adding to the stresses that he is obviously feeling under at the moment because of the public nature of this outing, if I can put it that way."
"I don't intend to comment any further."
"When the time is appropriate we will but right now all of us should be thinking about his welfare."
Tuck, whose father Michael holds the record of 426 VFL-AFL games, has not played a senior game for the Hawks this season.