Collingwood midfielder Jordan De Goey has been fined $5000 and has received a three-match suspension, with the ban to begin after he recovers from a broken hand.
The youngster initially told the club he broke the hand playing with his dog, when he actually broke it in a fight.
Collingwood's General Manager of Football Geoff Walsh said De Goey faced an uphill battle to earn back the respect of his teammates and others at the club.
"It could be a long-time," Walsh told reporters on Tuesday.
"That's one thing he has total control over, he will be able to do whatever he feels he can to win that faith and trust back.
MORE DETAILS: Read the club's full statement online now.
"That could be two months, it could be two years. In some people's eyes, in our organisation… some people are tough markers and they might say, 'You've lost me'.
"We hope that's not the case, but how long's a piece of string?"
De Goey chose to fabricate a story to explain the injury when he first reported it to the club.
Coach Nathan Buckley had initially accepted De Goey's story and told the media on Monday the injury had occurred when De Goey hit his hand on a doorwhile throwing a toy for his dog.
Buckley said if he didn't laugh he would cry at the prospect of losing another midfielder on the eve of the season to an accident involving a dog, after Jeremy Howe injured his finger ahead of last season when throwing a frisbee with his dog.
Walsh said Buckley was obviously upset by the midfielder's actions.
"I don't know about insulted or betrayed, but he's certainly deeply, deeply affected," Walsh said.
"We're deeply embarrassed, we're really sorry that Jordan would feel that he would have to concoct a story."
"He took a terribly wrong course of action, he wishes he could take that back, and he also knows he's got to suffer the consequences," Walsh said.
De Goey, who will be available for VFL selection once his hand has fully healed, will also complete 10 weeks of community service as part of his penalties.
