North Melbourne’s Kayne Turner will have to earn back the respect of AFL teammates, having been charged with drink-driving then slapped with a four-week ban.
North’s leadership group met on Monday, agreeing a month-long suspension would be an appropriate punishment for Turner.
Turner is currently recovering from a hamstring injury and the ban won’t start until he is fully fit, meaning he is unlikely to be available until round 17.
He will be permitted to play VFL during the suspension.
Turner fronted teammates on Monday, explaining how disappointed he was with his actions after recording a blood-alcohol reading of .133 on Sunday morning.
The 20-year-old is still on his probationary licence.
Lindsay Thomas noted Turner had a lot of work to do this year but backed his fellow small forward to regain the trust of everyone at North.
“He’ll just have to get the respect back from the boys and the coaching staff, just by the way he trains and the way he conducts himself around the footy club,” Thomas said on Monday.
“He’s let the playing group down … he’s disappointed in his actions and the mistake he made.
“I’ve had a lot to do with Kayne over the last couple of years … he’s a great kid.
“Everyone makes mistakes and obviously he’s made one he will regret but knowing the person that Kayne is, he’ll move on and he’ll learn from it.
“Kayne will cop his whack from the leadership group … he’ll come back and play some good footy for us.”
The incident has overshadowed the lead-up to North’s blockbuster SCG clash with Sydney on Friday night.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge for us,” Thomas said of the Swans.
“They’re playing some really great football.”
Thomas was upbeat Daniel Wells will return from a sore achilles in a boost for the undefeated Kangaroos.
Thomas and Wells helped launch the club’s Reconciliation Action Plan on Monday, a formal set of guidelines that is effectively a commitment to reconciliation.
“The last couple of years we’ve really made a focus of it at this footy club,” Thomas said.
“It’s definitely a proud moment in my career to be involved in (North’s Reconciliation Action Plan).
“I feel like I have to give back. I’m a very proud Aboriginal person.”
andrew
Guest
wilson. we all know the truth. its OK. its because hodge is a key player and it was on the eve of the finals. hawks were in a tough spot. im sure you would have done a similar thing to north if it was angus litherland and it was round 8. likewise, im sure north would have done a similar thing to what the hawks did if it was jack ziebell caught (irresperctive of whether it was 0.051 or 0.133) on the eve of the finals. its just the way it works. as the cards have fallen, north get to take the high moral ground on this one. for the record, turner isnt even in their best 22. he sits behind higgins, garner, thomas, anderson and harvey as the small forward half players that are in the best 22. it just so happens that several of these are out injured, which i why he was getting a game (along with robin nahas at present too). with garner and anderson back from injury in the next 1-2 weeks, it made the call to suspend turner even easier. he would be in the 2's anyway !!.
Wilson
Roar Guru
yes what Luke Hodge did was bad there is not arguing that but he was not .133 he was only 0.068 that is the big reason why I think they have been just that little bit harsher then Hawks Had been.
Karl
Guest
Different clubs - different rules/expectations. Hawthorn also earn the most revenue from pokies out of all Vic clubs. North don't earn a cent. Somehow Hawthorn are still able to portray themselves as a "family" club. Seem to have a win at all cost mentality.
Ads
Guest
So a veteran captain, someone who should have known better and is entrusted as the leader of his team, AND while already on suspension is caught for pissy driving gets no club penalty and plays finals the next week. No-one bats an eye. This 20 year old kid makes the same mistake and gets a month, starting when he is over his injury? Which makes it more like 7 weeks. That's balanced.