The AFL's investigation into whether Greater Western Sydney's Lachie Whitfield dodged drug testers is likely to be completed this week, says league boss Gillon McLachlan.
The Giants' No.1 draft pick from 2012 is alleged to have stayed at the house of the club's former welfare boss Craig Lambert to avoid drug testers.
Although the incident dates back to May 2015, McLachlan on Wednesday said he was untroubled by how long the probe had taken.
"It's been an incredibly detailed, forensic investigation," McLachlan said on Wednesday.
The AFL will hand all its information to ASADA and that body will decide Whitfield's fate.
He faces a ban from football for up to four years if found guilty of deliberately evading or being involved in seeking to avoid a drug test.
Whitfield's ex-girlfriend Sammi Nowland, who allegedly sent texts to the Giants implicating two officials in helping Whitfield avoid drug testers, has reportedly told a Sydney newspaper she "might" have been the source that sparked the investigation.
Fairfax Media has reported that Nowland is being presented in some circles as a woman scorned because of the strength of the text message evidence she had, in part, provided.
GWS has cleared Whitfield of wrongdoing in its own investigation and he will play against Sydney in a qualifying final on Saturday week.
The league is also investigating the actions of Lambert and former Giants football boss Graeme Allan, who had been set this week to be named director of football at Collingwood.
They, too, could serve lengthy bans from being involved in the game if found guilty.
Fairfax Media revealed on Monday Allan organised for Whitfield to spend some time at Lambert's house and away from the club in May 2015.
Under the rules for players, Whitfield should have told the relevant authorities that he was staying with Lambert so they knew where to find him, but he did not.
Whitfield's ex-girlfriend was initially motivated to approach the club because she was worried about the player's welfare.
