Carlton defender cops club ban after drink-driving charge

Carlton defender Wade Derksen has been slapped with a three match ban for the 2027 home and away season after being charged with drink-driving following an incident in the Northern Territory.

The 25-year-old is believed to have been stopped and arrested by cops last month while in Jabiru. he will face court in November.

While players are not due to report back to their clubs until late next month, Carlton have been swift to take action and banned Derksen from participating in all pre-season matches and he will miss the opening three rounds of next season.

“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.”

A club statement from Carlton General Manager of Football Chris Davies said: “While we acknowledge the upcoming legal process will carry its own penalty, Wade’s conduct falls well below the standards we expect.

“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 only moved to Carlton in the 2025 trade period. He played 15 games in the recent season which saw Carlton finish 10th on the ladder after a horror 1-8 start.

It's the latest setback from a culture perspective for the club who earlier today (Friday) saw Lachie Cowan hit with a two-match ban by the AFL after being "found guilty of conduct unbecoming following an investigation into his use of an illicit substance".

Last weekend, it was revealed that two Carlton players were admitted to hospital on the weekend with life support paramedics assisting Cowan who is believed to have suffered a seizure after complications from alleged recreational drug use.

Cowan has also been issued a 'notifiable adverse finding', or strike, under the AFL's illicit drugs policy.

The AFL also confirmed that “all players will be hair tested upon their return to training in January, with readings going as far back as three to six months prior”.

More to come.