MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 26: Dale Thomas of the Blues and his teammates leave the field after losing the round 10 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues at Marvel Stadium on May 26, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Blues veteran Dale Thomas has been dropped ahead of the round 11 clash against Essendon for drinking last weekend at a charity event.
Former Bulldogs captain, Bob Murphy said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 that it's not about the events themselves but the "context" of the situation.
"They’re 1-9 and on the back of losing seasons. One of the captains (Sam Docherty) is out, one of the captains is 22 and it’s before a game", Murphy said.
“That’s as serious as it gets inside a footy club and for the only premiership player to then jump out of the boat.
“I don’t think I would (bring him back)."
Former Geelong and North forward Cameron Mooney agreed, saying that "[Thomas] would have to do a lot right in my books to get back into the senior team. I wouldn’t be bringing him back in anytime soon.”
“When you’re a senior player and your club is going horrendously the way it is, you are there to guide the young kids and show them what is right and wrong. I love Daisy, but this is a really bad mistake. It’s just a stupid error," he said.
The Blues currently sit on the bottom of the ladder with only one win on the season ahead of Sunday's match at the MCG against Essendon.