Photographs appearing to show Gold Coast Suns player Harley Bennell with lines of illicit drugs have surfaced.
The photos, printed by News Corp Australia, show Bennell in front of five lines of a white powder.
The photos were reportedly taken in a Tasmanian hotel room in March 2013, just nine days before round one.
The white powdered substance on a desk at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston was allegedly speed.
In a brief statement on Thursday morning, the Gold Coast Suns said their priority was Bennell's wellbeing.
"Our priority overnight and throughout the morning is the genuine concern for Harley and his welfare," the statement reads.
"We can't underestimate the toll the last 12 hours could, and has had, on his wellbeing. That will remain our absolute focus at this time."
A media conference is planned for Thursday morning.
At the time the photos were allegedly taken, Bennell was being rested by the club after a busy pre-season, in which he was named the best on ground during an Indigenous All Stars game.
The release of the photos comes after former Suns' midfielder Karmichael Hunt implicated 12 players in illicit drug use in a statement to the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission.
Late on Wednesday, the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission issued a statement saying it did not have enough evidence to warrant any further charges against any players.
The CCC's investigation into cocaine trafficking has already resulted in charges against Hunt who pleaded guilty to drug charges in March. A string of other high-profile athletes, including Gold Coast Titans players Greg Bird, Beau Falloon, Jamie Dowling, Dave Taylor and Kalifa Faifai Loa, are fighting drug charges.
The CCC said its focus remained on a wider investigation.
"As the CCC has repeatedly stated, its investigation is focused on the syndicate and not on illicit drug use in sport," the statement reads.
"The CCC's investigation has focused on individuals who are alleged either to be involved in the syndicate or to have sourced illicit drugs from the syndicate."
Gold Coast Suns chief executive Andrew Travis began interviewing players this week about Hunt's claims, imploring them to come forward with any knowledge or involvement with illicit drug use.
The AFL Players' Association is also reportedly set to meet with the club on Thursday as the interviews continue.
While Hunt's matter has been dealt with by the courts, the five Titans players pleaded not guilty and their case is next set down for mention on July 6.
Hunt is in a train-on camp with the Wallabies and both the QRU and ARU have stood by their man in the wake of the reports.
- with Kim Stephens and Beth Newman
