Gold Coast Suns player Rhys Nicholls has been suspended for two matches and fined $5,000 for a breach of the AFL's betting rules.
He was found to have placed 10 bets on matches over the course of the 2021 AFL season, with six of those bets on Gold Coast Suns games.
Nicholls - a second-year rookie yet to make his senior debut - wagered a total of $256 across all bets, with none of them successful.
The 19-year-old will still be permitted to train with the Suns, but will not be available for selection in the first two rounds of the 2022 AFL season.
He will also be ineligible for selection for Gold Coast’s VFL team during this time.
The AFL’s integrity unit interviewed Nicholls, determining that all bets were made on his account, with no evidence he intended to influence the outcome of matches related to the bets.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon has stated that Nicholls’ actions were a clear breach of the AFL rules.
“The AFL amended its rules relating to wagering in March 2020 to make it clear that player and officials would be held responsible for bets that are placed on accounts in their name,” Dillon said.
“The AFL, AFLPA, and all clubs provide extensive education and counselling on all matters relating to gambling.
"There simply is no excuse - if you have a betting account it is your responsibility to ensure that it is not used for betting on AFL matches regardless of whether you place the bets or not.”
