Report: Former Lion cops big ban for positive steroid test

Former Brisbane midfielder Rhys Mathieson has been hit with a three-year ban for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, reports the Herald Sun.

The 28-year-old didn’t play at any level in 2025 after being provisionally suspended, with his ban coming from a positive test last year while playing for QAFL club Wilston Grange.

Mathieson played 72 games for Brisbane from 2016 to 2023 and has since trained as a bodybuilder post his football career.

According to the Herald Sun, photos posted to Mathieson’s social media could have attracted attention from Sports Integrity Australia.

As he’s already served a year while provisionally suspended, Mathieson will be banned until August 10, 2027.

While he won’t be able to play, he can return to training in June 2027.

The report also added that Mathieson’s ban was reduced from four to three years after he admitted to intentionally using the anabolic steroid oxymetholone for non-football-related purposes.