Australia has been implementing a strict policy on the illegal entry of anabolic steroids and other banned substances in the country. The latest case is the guilty plea of a former professional football player. Former WestCoast Eagle and Hawthorn player Daniel Chick entered into a plea agreement, through his lawyer, about his illegal importation of anabolic steroids from Thailand. He was investigated by customs officers at Perth airport last October when they found out that Chick failed to declare the drugs.

The Perth Magistrates Court fined the football player with $7,000 for illegal possession of anabolic steroids. The court imposed two charges of importing a prohibited import and knowingly or purposely making a false, misleading statement to a Customs officer. Chick was also required to pay additional $1,000 for the litigation expenses. He was also placed on an 18-month good behaviour bond of $2000 for each charge.

Magistrate Elizabeth Woods, who handles the case, agreed to the request of Chick’s lawyer for a spent conviction against his client. He told the court that Chick needs to travel to the United States to see his eight year old son.

Chick’s lawyer Michael Tudori said that the former footballer had done it tough after ending his career in professional league and their request for spent conviction would also allow Chick to continue working in a mining company as a drill and crane operator. “At the end of his AFL football career he has worked very hard to make a life after football,” said Tudori. “He is not like others who have pubs and alike. He has had to go back and had to do it the hard way, he has gone back to the tools,” Tudori added.

At 33, Chick wanted to rehabilitate his battered body after playing for more than a decade in professional football. When he went to Thailand he purchased anabolic steroids and started a “health program” which he wanted to continue after returning to Australia. According to his lawyer, Chick failed to declare the steroids because of a potent sleeping pill he took during the flight. “He ticked the green one instead of the red one - he accepts that,” said Tudori.

Toduri told the media during an interview after the hearing that his client was relieved and remorseful for his actions. “He made an error, he is sorry, he wants to get on with life after football,” he said. Reporters asked Tudori if Daniel Chick took steroids during his career. The lawyer replied in the negative. “Absolutely not. Anyone who knows him or has followed Daniel’s career knows that is not the case.” He also told the reporters that Chick was no longer taking steroids after the incident. However, another newspaper reported that Chick was under a steroid prescription for his asthma and chest infections.

Before retiring from professional football last year, Daniel Chick spent two seasons with Subiaco in the WAFL. Chick was known for playing a very physical game. He suffered many injuries while still playing for the West coast and Hawthorn. In the report of PerthNow website, Chick had an amputated finger after it was so severely broken it would not heal.

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