Carlton captain Patrick Cripps says the recent off-field incidents involving teammates Lachie Cowan and Wade Derksen was a "good wake-up call" for the club.
Cowan was suspended for the first two matches of the 2027 AFL season after he admitted to taking illicit substances at a party in October, which resulted in a visit to the hospital. He also received a $5000 suspended fine and will be required to undertake education.
Forward Will Hayward was cleared of any wrongdoing although he was initially involved in the incident after he also spent time in the hospital after he sustained a head injury.
The same day Cowan's punishment was confirmed, news came to light that Derksen had failed a roadside breath test and was ultimately suspended for all pre-season matches and the opening three rounds of the season. The incident occurred in September.
“You're always disappointed in that situation, but they felt the emotion,” Cripps said on SEN.
“I feel like as a group for a long period of time we've been really good in this space. It shows when you get a couple (of instances); with culture, it's always evolving, and you've got to be really strong in your standards and what you believe in.
“Going forward it's just a good wake-up call for the group. I feel like as a group with some of the young talent coming through, some of the players we've added, and the way we finished off the year we're in a really good position going into next year.
“So we need everyone buying in and coming back in really good nick. In this game they're hard to win so as a leader you want to set the standard and say, ‘Hey, this is what we expect as a group, now come back and show us how much it means to you on day one of pre-season'.”
The Blues were quick to move on the pair of matters, and immediately set the standard for any future indiscretions by players going forward.
“I felt the club was really strong, they came out and got on the front foot with both (incidents),” Cripps added.
“For me as a leader, firstly you want to check in to make sure they're ok. But you also want to make sure you build a relationship with those guys where they actually feel comfortable to chat to you as well. Which both did.
“Obviously they felt it enough; they both were embarrassed with it all. For me now, it's just letting them know that you've got the whole summer to win the respect back of the group, and no matter what, I've always got their back.
“For where we want to go as a group and what we want to achieve we need everyone locking in and getting back to work.”
Cowan and Derksen will miss the club's season-opening clash against Richmond on Saturday March 20 at the MCG.
The Blues and Tigers were shunted from their traditional Thursday night battle, with the league favouring finalists to kickstart the year.
