Gold Coast Suns star forward Harley Bennell has allegedly been photographed with lines of white powder in a Hobart hotel room.

The photographs were leaked to the Herald Sun, which seem to show Bennell holding a rolled-up $20 banknote.

Dressed in a black T-shirt, a man resembling the 22-year-old can be seen hunched over a table, before passing the note to a woman. In another photo, white lines of powder are visible on the table.

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The Herald Sun was told the photos were taken just after 3am at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston in March 2013.

After being made aware of the photos, Suns chief Andrew Travis told the Herald Sun: “Our first priority is the genuine concern for the player involved. Other issues will be considered over the coming days.”

On Thursday, Suns coach Rodney Eade said Bennell would be not play in their Saturday evening clash against North Melbourne.

Bennell has faced off-field trouble in the past.

This year, he was one of three players dropped from the Suns side for breaking club rules about drinking alcohol.

This isn’t the first time Bennell has been in the spotlight for his off-field antics. Photo: Getty

In 2014, he was fined $860 for driving offences on his way home from training.

In 2013, he was fined $3000 and given a spent conviction over a New Year’s Eve brawl that led to charges of disorderly behaviour and possessing an article — a pool ball — with intent.

Meanwhile, Bennell’s former housemate, Karmichael Hunt, was revealed this week to have told police that seven Suns players used significant quantities of cocaine at a party in a Gold Coast apartment in August 2014 — 17 months after the pictures of Bennell were taken, the Herald Sun reported.

A meeting was held at the club on Monday, during which players were urged to come forward if they were involved in the drug scandal.

During a press conference on Monday, Suns chief Mr Travis denied there was a drug culture within the club.

“We will determine now how we will interview our players [about this matter], and we have previously asked for anyone who has information to come forward,” he said.

“So far no one has.

“I just want to understand what the facts are and when we understand the facts then I can comment.”

Bennell was the Gold Coast Suns pick number two in the 2010 draft and was widely seen as a great talent.

AFL head of corporate affairs Elizabeth Lukin released a statement on Wednesday night in response to the leaked photos.

“The AFL was made aware of the photographs [on Wednesday] and have spoken with the club and representatives of the player,” Ms Lukin said.

“The AFL is very mindful of the health and welfare of the player involved, and will work closely with the club to manage this issue.

“The AFL CEO, Gillon McLachlan said at the beginning of 2015 that the illicit drugs policy needed to be reviewed … and that there was increasing industry evidence that the policy needed changes to make it more effective.

“The AFL is working with the Players Association and the clubs to make changes to strengthen the policy.”