MARINER HEARFIELD SACKED AFTER FAILING DRUG TEST

Tamworth raised, former Newcastle Jet, Troy Hearfield has been sacked by the Central Coast Mariners after a failing a drug test.

The 25-year-old midfielder had his A-League contract terminated two months ago after failing a recreational drug test. That test was carried out after the Mariners’ second round fixture against the Melbourne Heart. He has since fronted a tribunal and could face a ban of between 12 months and five years from all sports. Hearfield’s legal team put forward mitigating circumstances, including that he has struggled with personal issues.

Hearfield, a former Olyroo, began his A-League career in Newcastle in 2006 and played 19 games for the Jets before moving to the Wellington Phoenix where played nearly 70 games.