Carlton player Wade Derksen has been fined and temporarily lost his licence after driving three times above the legal blood alcohol limit.
The 25-year-old was driving along the Arnhem Highway in Jibaru, southeast of Darwin, in September after a day of fishing and drinking with friends at Kakadu National Park.
When stopped by police for a random breath test, the Northern Territory-born AFL star returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.174.
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While he did not appear at the court in person, he pleaded guilty to one count of high-range drink-driving via telephone.
In court, his lawyer Duncan McConnel SC said the 25-year-old’s football achievements were “remarkable” for a “young Territorian”.
He said his client, whom he described as a “hardworking, committed and determined individual”, had returned home to his friends and family at the end of the AFL season.
He said Derksen “doesn’t normally drink” during the season and had “seriously underestimated both the impact of what he was drinking, the rate he was drinking and the fact that he was out in the sun”.
Mr McConnel said Derksen’s rookie salary was $95,000 plus match payments, and while his salary had been bumped up following his performances during the 2026 season, the 25-year-old would be hit with a penalty of at least $12,000 from the club after being suspended for three matches.
“While we acknowledge the upcoming legal process will carry its own penalty, Wade’s conduct falls well below the standards we expect,” Carlton general manager of football Chris Davies said at the time of the incident.
“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.”
In court, prosecutor Georgia Cooper said Derksen should be hit with penalties that reflected the impact of driving under the influence on dangerous roads, such as those in the Northern Territory.
“We have some of the most dangerous roads in the country, and therefore any sanction the court imposes should speak to that,” she said.
Derksen was fined $873 and suspended from driving for 12 months.