Graeme Allan Biography

Graeme Allan joins St Kilda as head of talent and acquisition.

Greater Western Sydney is fined $100,000 and 1000 draft points for the actions of two club officials, Graeme Allan and Craig Lambert, and its player Lachie Whitfield, that saw the club charged with conduct unbecoming.

A sub-committee of the AFL Commission consisting of chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and commission members Jason Ball and Paul Bassat made the decision that the club had to bear some responsibility for the affair after hearing from the Giants.

Anti-doping watchdog ASADA says it's comfortable with the punishments handed out by the AFL to Graeme Allan, Craig Lambert and Lachlan Whitfield.

"I note the investigation revealed no use or intended use of performance-enhancing drugs," ASADA chief executive Ben McDevitt said in a statement.

"Given the circumstances, I do not believe pursuit of additional action under the AFL anti-doping rules is warranted."

Lachie Whitfield has been suspended for six months for breaching AFL rules, but the Greater Western Sydney midfielder will be eligible to return in round eight when the Giants play Collingwood.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan confirmed, which has been backdated, also announcing former GWS officials Graeme Allan and Craig Lambert would be handed 12-month suspensions for their roles in the long-running affair.

Whitfield apologized for his actions and said he was going through a difficult period at the time of the incident.

"After a long and stressful 18 months, the AFL and I have reached what we believe to be a fair resolution," he said in a statement.

"I was going through a difficult period in my life and was not thinking clearly at the time. I know I should have behaved differently.

"I sincerely apologise to my team mates, coaches and our supporters. I love playing for the GWS Giants and am determined to repay the faith and loyalty they have shown in me."

Graeme Allan has resigned as director of football at Collingwood after being suspended for 12 months for bringing the game into disrepute.

The 62-year-old accepted the AFL sanctions and conceded he had made an error of judgment in the way he dealt with Lachie Whitfield's circumstance.

"Regardless of my good intentions, I should have handled the issues differently and ensured Lachie continued to meet his off-field "whereabouts" obligations at all times," Allan said.

"I also accept that the club I served then, and the club I serve now, are dealing with the consequences of this matter.

"For this, I am sorry.

"This is why I have agreed to accept the suspension handed to me today. The legal fight could have gone on, but that is not in the best interests of the game, the AFL, or my family. Recent history tells us as much."

ASADA says it is still waiting for the AFL's 'full investigation file' into the case involving Greater Western Sydney player Lachie Whitfield and former officials Graeme Allan and Craig Lambert.

"On 31 October 2016, ASADA asked the AFL for its full investigation file, which we are still awaiting," an ASADA spokesperson told AFL.com.au.

"Because the potential consequences for individuals are so serious, it is important that ASADA considers all relevant material before any decision is made about whether to take forward possible anti-doping rule violations.

"In this case, as the information was collected as a part of an AFL investigation, due diligence requires ASADA to assess all evidence collected in its entirety."

Collingwood appoints Graeme Allan as general manager of football to oversee its football department, with his role incorporating both the men’s and women’s components of the program.

Allan has been caught up in controversy this week after it was revealed he was subject to an AFL investigation relating to his alleged involvement in Greater Western Sydney midfielder Lachie Whitfield potentially avoiding a drug test in 2015.

Collingwood said it was aware of the investigation before Allan was appointed.

A statement on the Magpies' website said:

"Collingwood was also made aware at this time that both GWS and the AFL had concluded or were concluding separate investigations into the matter.

"From our discussions on this matter with various parties, Collingwood found no reason standing in the way of employing Allan.

"The club would like to make it very clear to all that if, at any stage, information received about any member of staff that brings into question their behaviour Collingwood will deal with that information with the appropriate authorities."

Former Collingwood player and experienced administrator Graeme Allan has returned to the club in a new role to oversee the Magpies' push into women's football and the establishment of new academies.

Allan, who resigned as football manager of Greater Western Sydney earlier this year, has been appointed to the role of general manager of 'Next Generation' academies and teams.

"The game of AFL is growing and Collingwood, as a club, has to grow with it," Magpies CEO Gary Pert said.

"That is a responsibility we have to ourselves and to the game. And to do it well we need the very best people. The industry recognises 'Gubby' as one of its very best.

"Success has followed him and the broad experience he has had in designing and bringing plans to fruition is precisely what we need."