Carlton veteran Dale Thomas will line-up against the Bombers this weekend - only it will be in the VFL.
Caroline Wilson revealed on Channel Nine's Footy Classified that the 31-year old had "too much to drink" at a Camp Quality charity event last Friday, less than 48 hours before the Blues' loss to St Kilda.
And so the Blues sanctioned the defender by sending him to the twos for a week. Heck, at least he didn't cop another fine.
There have been a variety of reports regarding exactly what happened on the night and how much Thomas had to drink. Two wines, three wines, he spilt this, he says, she says.
At the end of the day, he was there in an act of goodwill at an event where chefs from around the globe organise a course, complemented by matching wines. No pay check, no nothing, just fundraising and good times.
Mixing wine with food was literally the point of the charity event which ultimately raised $370,000 for sick kids. Carlton must have been aware of that and thus, he has been hard done by in this instance.
Yes, Carlton were 1-8. Yes, Brendan Bolton is under more pressure than any other coach in the competition. Yes, Thomas is a senior player that should be driving standards and yes Carlton should be more desperate for wins than any other side right now.
But Thomas, who is out of contract at season's end, has already put his hand up and admitted he stuffed up. So what better way for him to make it up to the club and its supporters than by going out there on Sunday and helping the Blues take down one of their arch rivals on the MCG?
As his "punishment", he will line-up for the Northern Blues in their VFL hitout against Essendon. Instead of suspending him, Thomas will still get to represent the club and play on the weekend, just at a lower level. Where is the logic in that?
If they were going to go down that path, a stronger message would have been to ban him for a week or indefinitely and force him to regain his place in the team. Not send him down to Windy Hill for a week.
The Blues need Thomas more than ever against potentially the only side they are capable of beating at the moment - an undermanned Bombers. Let him prove his worth to the club in the most appropriate way and literally on the platform of why he gets paid - those two hours on the weekend on a footy field. And an AFL one of that.
Some might say that not suspending Thomas would have been a soft stance from the Blues. But you could almost be certain that the club would have reacted differently if Patrick Cripps was the one supporting sick kids at a charity event on Friday over a few wines with dinner.
And it's hard to imagine Thomas being the only player who's had a few drinks two days out from a game. Do you think two Brownlow medallists in Dane Swan and Dustin Martin haven't enjoyed a few quiet ones on a Friday night before a Saturday game?
Thomas' only mistake was the media catching onto the whole situation. There is no way that having a few wines on a Friday would have impacted his performance on Sunday. And if he was playing for any other club probably would have copped a slap on the wrist, but was instead made a scapegoat of Carlton's dire season.
The former Magpie has played a key defensive role in Bolton's back six this season, missing Sam Docherty and Kade Simpson, Liam Jones, Caleb Marchbank, Nic Newman and Tom Williamson throughout stages. He could be top five in their best and fairest and is consistently hailed as a great clubman. He deserved better.
Unfortunately, Thomas won't be able to help try and will his side to their second win for the season on Sunday. Luckily, the Northern Blues finish early enough for Daisy to get comfy on the couch at home to catch the seniors over a couple of beers.
