Stokes says sorry after coke ruling

Alex de Vos
Cats premiership player Mathew Stokes has walked away from Geelong Magistrates’ Court without conviction after pleading guilty to a cocaine charge.
The 25-year-old AFL footballer was charged with possessing drugs after purchasing one gram of cocaine from a former Geelong nightclub bouncer on January 19.
The prosecutor dropped a charge of trafficking a drug of dependence.
Stokes was released, fined $3000 and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond.
After the hearing Stokes addressed the media, saying he was “sorry for (his) actions”.
“I’m grateful to the club and everyone (who) stood by me, especially my teammates, and I’m just looking forward to playing footy,” he said.
“I’m very happy.”
Geelong Football Club chief executive officer Brian Cook told the court he was “surprised and disappointed” when Stokes was arrested in February.
He described the 2007 premiership player as “loyal, supportive, balanced and very mature for his age”.
Mr Cook said the Cats would not impose a long-term penalty on Stokes.
“There is nill chance of him re-offending – the club will fully support Mr Stokes,” Cook told the court.
“Our understanding is that there have been no prior strikes – this could be seen as a first strike.”
Mr Cook said Stokes would return to the field in round eight.
Magistrate Ron Saines said the offence was a “great breach of trust and opportunity”.
“The use and availability of drugs in the community is of great social and personal damage and the social and community cost is enormous,” he told the court.
“To be involved in that is serious.
“You are a young man with a great deal of achievement and this was uncharacteristic.”
Geelong drafted Stokes from South Australia’s Woodville-West Torrens in 2005.
Originally from Darwin, the midfielder has played 71 games and kicked 108 goals for the Cats.