GEELONG forward Mathew Stokes will not play AFL football until at
least round eight after his recent arrest for possessing and trafficking
cocaine.Suspending Stokes indefinitely upon the February 3
charges, the Cats handed down their full sanctions on Monday afternoon.A
meeting of the leadership group helped determine Stokes' penalty, with
his conditions including:

• Suspension from consideration for
  selection in the club’s AFL team until round eight, 2010. The suspension
  will be served in the following manner:
  - Until round one, Stokes can train at the club only when no other
  players are present.
  - From round one - round four of the AFL season, Stokes can train with
  the club’s VFL listed players only.
  - From round five - round seven of the AFL season, Stokes can train with
  the VFL squad and will be eligible to play in the VFL.
  - From round eight, Stokes will be eligible to train with the full squad
  and for selection in the club’s AFL team.
  
• A fine of $5000, the
  maximum sanction under the AFL players' code of conduct.
  
• To find
  full-time employment and conduct any training out of working hours
  between now and round four.
  
• To establish a relationship with a
  drug-related community program and assist with that program on an
  ongoing basis.
  

The Cats have also been advised to not make
further comment pending the outcome of the legal proceedings.Stokes
was arrested and charged as follow-up to drug raids on four properties
in the Geelong area on January 29. He received bail and will appear in
court on March 12.Police alleged Stokes purchased one gram of
cocaine on January 19 from a Geelong nightclub bouncer.Geelong
chief executive Brian Cook expressed his disappointment in Stokes'
charges last week and said the club would not rush in its determination
of a penalty.Stokes has played 71 games and kicked 108 goals for
the Cats since his 2006 debut.A member of Geelong's 2007
premiership team, he withdrew from last year's preliminary final and was
unable to force his way back into the eventual flag side.The
popular player was recruited by the Cats from SANFL club Woodville-West
Torrens.