Former Carlton player Ron De Iulio has suffered a life-threatening stroke.
De Iulio was allegedly caught by police back on June 18 in possession of the drug ice, as well as cash believed to be from the proceeds of crime in Melbourne's CBD.
The 104-gamer was scheduled to stream into court on Wednesday but was unable to do so after suffering the stroke.
Ron De Iulio and the list manager, winner's circle. pic.twitter.com/l5xyCG7zVH
— Tony De Bolfo (@tony_debolfo) May 7, 2016
His lawyer, Zoe Davis, told the court De Iulio had suffered a 'neurological and stress-related stroke' last month and was now undergoing 'significant rehabilitation'.
Davis went on to say that the former Blue was now hardly able to move at all due to the stroke.
"His physical health is drastically reduced. His psychological health is drastically reduced. He is now a risk, on top of the isolation, but where an individual has now lost mobility in a large part of their body," Ms Davis said.
"He's not able to attend physically by himself unassisted to many locations that previously he would be able to.
Andy McKay and Ron De Iulio, winner's circle. pic.twitter.com/tLJsv3Rl5d
— Tony De Bolfo (@tony_debolfo) June 20, 2015
"It's not self-inflicted in any way. It is directly related and can be affected by ongoing external influences of stress where he's specifically ordered to not have such stress."
Ms Davis went on to claim that De Iulio didn't deserve to have the nature of the charges made public, asking for the magistrate to use discretion.
"If I could opine, I don't think it would be a respectful or necessary decision when considering the discretion that there is of your honours to perhaps exclude Mr De Iulio in his vulnerable position from the application," she said.
The magistrate dismissed Ms Davis' request for a suppression order.
