A young WAFL player who tested positive to an anabolic steroid admits he's going to pay a hefty price for his "huge mistake" with his AFL dream in tatters.

East Perth midfielder Dean Cadwallader faces a two-year ban from the sport after the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority revealed the 19-year-old returned positive A and B samples to nandrolone.

"There is no excuse. I've made a huge mistake and I'm going to pay the price for that mistake," Cadwallader said on Tuesday.

"I only hope that I can come back to the game in the future and make a positive contribution.

"I'd like to thank the club and my family for their support and once again apologise for the hurt that I have caused them."

The drug test was conducted out-of-competition during the State team program this year.

Cadwallader, who had been on the radar of several AFL clubs, was stood down by East Perth two weeks ago when results of his A sample were revealed.

The prescribed penalty for a banned drug of this type is a two-year suspension from the game at any level unless exceptional circumstances can be shown.

Cadwallader, who has played 11 games for the Royals, can make submissions to the anti-doping rule violation panel before a final decision - not expected before July 14 - is reached on his case.

East Perth coach Tony Micale said the club would support Cadwallader in his return to football.

"As Dean acknowledged, he's made a big mistake and he's going to pay a heavy price for it," Micale said.

"I just want to say, on behalf of the club and his teammates, that we can't condone what he's done, but we can and will support him in his efforts to come back from this obvious setback to his dream of playing AFL.

"I think most of you would know that Dean has been in the sights of most AFL cubs and that he would almost certainly have been drafted later this year.

"This is now a real test of his character.

"I think he has the ability and the attitude to come back.

"I know that we'll be there for him in whatever way we can once the tribunal has handed down its official penalty and the conditions associated with that penalty."

Listed as an S1 anabolic agent on the 2010 world anti-doping code prohibited list, nandrolone is prohibited both in and out of competition.

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