EX-WILLASTON footballer Josh Glenn has been banned from playing the game at any level for four years, after he tested positive for anabolic steroids.

Glenn, 25, returned a positive urine sample for the prohibited substances 19-Norandrosterone and 19-Noretiocholanolone, types of anabolic steroids, after a June 16, 2018, SANFL match against  Glenelg Football Club, while representing Norwood Football Club.

The South Australian National Football League (SANFL) was notified of the positive sample by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority on August 10, 2018, with the league serving him a provisional suspension pending further analysis and investigation.

Glenn’s ban is backdated to the beginning of his provisional suspension, meaning he can return to the game on August 10, 2022.

The former Gold Coast Suns and Central District Football Club player has accepted the four-year sanction and has waived his right to a hearing before the SANFL Anti-Doping Tribunal.

SANFL CEO Jake Parkinson said the league has “zero tolerance” for prohibited drug use in its competitions.

“This sanction, the first to be imposed to a SANFL player for breach of the Anti-Doping Code, reinforces the League’s strong stance in maintaining fairness, safety and integrity on behalf of its participants,” he said.

“SANFL provides extensive drug awareness and education, including presentations every year to all senior and Under 18s players at SANFL Clubs about their responsibility under the AFL Anti-Doping Code.”

Glenn is the first player to be suspended for a doping offence in SANFL history.

During his ban, Glenn is ineligible to participate in any capacity, including as a coach, player, or official, in any SANFL or Australian Football League competition across the country.

He is also not permitted to participate in any sport with a World Anti-Doping Agency compliant anti-doping policy.

The ban comes after Glenn received a suspended sentence for a drunken assault outside a Gawler pub in March, 2018 following a Willaston Football Club post-training function.

The victim, an Australian Defence Force employee, received a broken nose as a result of the bashing.

Glenn was sacked by the Donnybrooks after the incident, which led him to be picked up by Norwood, shortly before the positive test for anabolic steroids.

Later in 2018, he was at the centre of the Willaston Football Club’s salary cap scandal, with his former club being stripped of six premiership points over two seasons, receive a $8000 fine and the loss of three Approved Player Points when it was discovered the club paid him an illegal sign-on fee.