The AFL integrity unit is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the hospitalisation of gamers Lachie Cowan and Will Hayward following an evening out on the weekend, which the membership says the pair is “embarrassed” about.
The league’s involvement represents a big escalation within the controversy engulfing Carlton, with the AFL now analyzing the occasions that led to each gamers requiring medical remedy within the early hours of Sunday morning.
Davies confirmed the event on Wednesday night because the AFL commerce interval drew to an in depth, with the Blues going through questions in regards to the conduct of their gamers and the circumstances surrounding the incidents.
“It’s an AFL dialogue for the time being and we’ll depart it there,” Davies stated.
“The AFL are going by way of a course of proper now and in the end, we’ll work with the AFL to get to the top of that.
“We’ve been having discussions with the AFL over the past two or three days, clearly, to make it possible for we’re on the backside of that.”
Davies was then requested in regards to the well being of the 2 gamers.
“That’s crucial factor – they’re OK now, just a little bit embarrassed, I suppose, to place the membership on this place,” Davies stated.
He additionally confirmed one other participant had been current on Saturday evening, “however not in the identical scenario”.
The investigation comes amid allegations of illicit drug use at a gathering at Hayward’s South Yarra dwelling on Saturday evening, though Carlton haven’t confirmed whether or not medicine have been concerned in both participant’s hospitalisation.
Stories had broadly circulated on Sunday, suggesting that illicit medicine have been allegedly concerned because the gamers obtained medical care. This masthead can not verify that illicit medicine have been concerned in both incident.
The AFL’s intervention means the matter is not solely an inside Carlton subject, with the league’s integrity division now concerned in establishing what occurred and whether or not any breaches of competitors guidelines or insurance policies warrant additional motion.
Each gamers have since been discharged from hospital.
Cowan, 21, was taken to The Alfred hospital after emergency companies attended an handle in South Yarra early on Sunday morning.
Ambulance Victoria confirmed superior life-support paramedics responded to an incident about 5.15am, with a person in his 20s transported to hospital in a secure situation.
Carlton subsequently confirmed Cowan had obtained medical remedy and undergone commentary earlier than being discharged.
Hayward, 27, individually admitted himself to hospital after struggling a minimize to his head in a fall. The previous Sydney ahead obtained stitches earlier than being discharged.
The Blues have maintained that the 2 gamers have been hospitalised underneath separate circumstances.
In an announcement issued on Sunday, Carlton stated its instant precedence was the welfare of each gamers.
“The membership has been in common contact with each gamers, with precedence for his or her wellbeing and each gamers have now obtained the mandatory care referring to their separate circumstances,” the assertion stated.
The investigation presents an early take a look at of the soccer division management of Davies and chief govt Graham Wright, who’re charged with establishing larger requirements at a membership making an attempt to rebuild its soccer program.
Carlton has already begun its personal inquiries into the weekend’s occasions, with the findings anticipated to be made obtainable to the AFL.
The involvement of the league’s integrity unit additionally raises questions on how any potential breaches can be handled underneath the AFL’s present illicit medicine framework.
The AFL and AFL Gamers’ Affiliation have agreed to a revised illicit medicine coverage, together with expanded hair testing and a larger emphasis on figuring out and addressing repeated drug use.
Nevertheless, the brand new framework isn’t scheduled to come back into impact till 2027, which means the Carlton matter will likely be assessed underneath the competitors’s present guidelines and disciplinary processes.
The investigation doesn’t essentially imply both participant will face disciplinary motion, with the league but to determine publicly whether or not any wrongdoing has occurred.
However, the episode has once more uncovered the challenges confronting the AFL in managing participant behaviour away from soccer golf equipment, significantly through the low season.
Carlton have endured earlier off-field controversies, together with the illicit medicine case involving Elijah Hollands, including to the strain on the membership to show that participant welfare and behavioural requirements are being taken significantly.
The timing is especially uncomfortable for the Blues, who’ve spent the commerce interval reshaping their taking part in checklist and making an attempt to construct momentum forward of the 2027 season.
Hayward arrived at Carlton from Sydney final yr and performed 21 video games in his first season in navy blue, whereas Cowan has established himself as an essential younger defender.
Cowan performed 24 video games in 2026 and has turn into a daily member of Carlton’s backline.
The newest controversy threatens to overshadow the membership’s list-management work, with Davies now confronting questions extending properly past recruiting and the composition of Carlton’s taking part in checklist.
The central subject for the Blues is not merely the medical remedy required by two gamers on Sunday morning, however what led to these hospital visits and whether or not the circumstances reveal a broader failure of judgement or conduct.
These are questions the AFL’s integrity unit will now search to reply.
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Sam McClure is an award-winning AFL journalist and broadcaster.Join through X or electronic mail.