Updated ,first published
In today’s AFL Briefing, your wrap of football news:
- Two Carlton players suspended for off-field indiscretions.
- Viney appears in Eagles colours, vows to make impact on field.
Carlton’s senior leaders are fuming after defender Wade Derksen was busted for “high-range” drink-driving, blowing well over three times the legal limit and becoming the third Blue embroiled in an off-field issue since the end of the season.
The Blues have suspended Derksen for all their pre-season games and the first three matches of the 2027 home-and-away campaign after he returned a reading of 0.174 in a roadside breath test in Jabiru, about 250 kilometres from Darwin, in the Northern Territory the night before the AFL grand final.
In a statement provided to this masthead on Friday night, Northern Territory police said: “Gunbalanya Police conducted an RBT on the Arnhem Highway in Kakadu, near the Oenpelli Road intersection.
“A 25-year-old male was subjected to a roadside breath test and returned a positive indication for alcohol. The male was arrested for the purpose of a secondary analysis and conveyed to Jabiru Police Station where he returned a high-range result of 0.174.
“The male was issued an immediate licence suspension and issued with a Notice to Appear at Darwin Local Court on 10 November 2026 for Drive High Range Blood Alcohol Content.”
In the Northern Territory, a high-range blood alcohol reading is equal to or more than 0.15, triple the legal limit. First-time drink-driving offences involving a BAC reading of more than 0.15 can result in a minimum of 12 months licence disqualification, a fine of up to $1940, or maximum imprisonment of 12 months.
The Derksen revelation came just hours after defender Lachie Cowan was hit with a two-game ban by the AFL for conduct unbecoming following investigations of “his use of an illicit substance last weekend” by the Blues and the league.
Forward Will Hayward admitted himself to hospital after suffering a cut to his head in a fall. He was not sanctioned.
Angry Blues bosses have expressed their disappointment to Derksen and Cowan, and told the pair their poor decision-making had let down the club.
The Blues became aware of Derksen’s troubles when he self-reported last month and were working out his penalty when Cowan and Hayward had their misadventures, delaying an announcement on the backman’s penalties.
After slow starts to their past two seasons, the Blues will kick off their 2027 campaign without two defenders from the team that bowed out in the elimination final against Geelong last month.
“While we acknowledge the upcoming legal process will carry its own penalty, Wade’s conduct falls well below the standards we expect,” Carlton football boss Chris Davies said.
“Wade is fully aware how disappointed we are in what occurred. We will continue to support him throughout this period as he takes full responsibility for his actions.”
Derksen had won the hearts of Blues fans by driving four days from Darwin to Melbourne for pre-season training to earn a spot on the list. He was given a two-year contract extension after strong form filling in for the injured Jacob Weitering.
That feelgood story now has a sour postscript. Derksen, who must complete relevant counselling as part of his sanctions, has apologised for his behaviour.
“I want to express how sorry I am for what I did,” Derksen said.
“The choice I made to get behind the wheel that day was unacceptable and is a moment I deeply regret. I have let a lot of people down, and for that I apologise.”
Cowan apologised and thanked the medical professional who helped him after he collapsed at a party last weekend.
“I should never have put myself in such a vulnerable situation, I want to apologise for the impact my actions have had on my family and the football club,” Cowan said in a statement released by Carlton.
“I also want to thank the medical professionals who helped me on the night, the football club for their ongoing support and everyone who took the time to reach out and make sure I was OK.
“This is a wake-up call and I am just so grateful to now be in a position to learn from this.”
Cowan was also issued with a $5000 suspended fine and now has an adverse finding listed against his name under the AFL’s illicit drugs policy.
“AFL players have a responsibility to themselves and their professional careers to uphold community expectations. They are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances. Lachlan admitted his mistake and understands he must be accountable for his actions,” the league’s chief operating officer Tom Harley said in confirming the penalty on Friday.
In finding Cowan guilty of conduct unbecoming, the AFL said it considered the “circumstances in which the matter subsequently became public”.
The league said it would require Cowan to undertake education on illicit substances and their effects additional to the mandatory training all players do. The players will all be undertaking fresh training through in November and December as the league prepares to introduce its new illicit drugs policy. When they return for training in January, every single AFL player will be hair-tested, the readings of which will trace back the previous three to six months.
The incident involving Cowan at the weekend was first investigated by his club. Carlton passed its information to the AFL, and further enquiries were conducted.
Carlton said it investigated the weekend’s matter involving Cowan while also providing him with wellbeing support.
“Most importantly, we are thankful that Lachie is OK and received the medical attention he needed,” Carlton general manager of football Chris Davies said in the Blues’ statement.
“We have been in regular contact with Lachie this week and he has taken ownership of his mistake. Lachie understands that it is his responsibility to ensure he makes better decisions moving forward.”
On Friday, newly unveiled West Coast recruit, and 2021 Melbourne premiership player, Jack Viney made clear his view on illicit drugs within the sport.
“There is no place for drugs or illicit drugs in the AFL,” Viney said.
“So whatever the policy that the AFL and AFLPA think is reasonable, I’m fully supportive of it.”
The AFL Players’ Association said it was “unacceptable” that players were penalised after seeking medical treatment for an issue that would otherwise have remained private.
“As an industry, we need to encourage help-seeking behaviour, not penalise or disincentivise it,” AFLPA chief James Gallagher said.
Viney vows to make impact on the field out west
Roy Ward
Jack Viney isn’t moving his family to Western Australia to begin his coaching career – he’s doing it because he still believes he can play at the top level.
The new West Coast Eagles recruit spoke to media on Friday wearing his new club colours after 14 years and a breakthrough 2021 premiership with Melbourne.
Much was said during the trade period about Viney’s move to the Eagles being based on his desire to move into coaching, but the 238-game midfielder made it clear he is heading west as a player first and a coach later despite Achilles surgery and a back injury keeping him to one game last season.
“I’m really confident in my body and my ability, and that’s a big reason why I made this decision,” Viney said.
“No doubt, I’ve had a really difficult year, the most disrupted and frustrating of my career in 14 years in the system.
“I understand you are only as good as your last game, but I’m keen and eager to get over to the Eagles, prove what I’m about and get a lot of hard work in over the pre-season.”
Viney and wife Charlotte will move their three daughters to WA, and the player admitted it would hurt to leave his close family, including his dad Todd, also a former Melbourne captain and nowadays football boss at North Melbourne.
“It’s going to be tough leaving. We are an extremely close family,” Viney said.
“Our girls are six, four and one. When we spoke to the older two about the move, they loved it – when we broke the news to them that the deal was finally done, the kids jumped with excitement and joy. They are definitely on board.”
Leaving the Demons was a difficult process for Viney, but he said an honest post-season meeting with coach Steven King who made it clear the club was moving on.
“The new coach wanted to go in a different direction and I can respect the decision,” Viney said.
“While I still have plenty to give and great football to play, I’m coming off my most disrupted season and I wasn’t able to make a great first impression.
“It definitely took some time to sink in, I had envisioned being a one-club player, so it definitely took me by surprise.
“But once you start looking at the opportunities, I reminded myself of some of Neale Daniher’s wisdom about life not promising to be fair, and I quickly became excited about the opportunity to play football for the Eagles.”
Viney will be joined at the Eagles by Dees teammate and WA native Trent Rivers, and revealed he had already had some funny interactions with the club’s young midfield duo of Harley Reid and Willem Duursma.
“Willem was the first one to message me, although he got my name wrong as he called me Trent,” Viney said with a laugh.
“When I get over there, I’ll have to sort him out. No, I think they have a terrific young midfield who I haven’t met before, so I’m looking forward to building new relationships.”
Viney recalled tagging Reid in a game during the Eagles’ star’s first season. He also revealed young defender Reuben Ginbey “scares me”, saying he won’t be trying to take the number seven jumper from him.
Eventually, Viney wants to move into coaching, and his Eagles deal will allow for that to happen, but he isn’t moving upstairs yet.
“I’m planning to play footy for as long as I can, and I’ll squeeze everything out of it,” Viney said.
“When I have to hang up the boots, we will have those conversations, as coaching is something I want to continue to explore.”
Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.
Roy Ward is a sports writer, live blogger and breaking news journalist. He’s been writing for The Age since 2010.Connect via X or email.From our partners
About the Author
