Less than 24 hours after standing down as vice-captain of the club, Western Bulldogs star Lachie Hunter has been suspended for four games by the club as well as receiving a $5,000 fine.
The 25-year old will miss a month of football upon the AFL season's return from the COVID-19 crisis, as well as a list of other punishments and provisions due to his drink driving charge last week.
In a statement released on the club's website on Tuesday afternoon, CEO Ameet Bainssaid they were disappointed not only with the drink driving but with the ignorance of social distancing rules.
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"The club is extremely disappointed by a number of elements of Lachie’s conduct both in his choice to drink alcohol, choice to drink and drive, choice to ignore social distancing laws and a series of other choices he made in the aftermath of the crash," he said.
"We are extremely disappointed that, when the accident occurred, he did not choose to avail himself of the support and advice services the club provides to our players for just such situations and we believe a number of his subsequent poor choices flowed directly from that error.
"While there are clearly pressures that many people face given the current circumstances, including Lachie, that is no excuse for his behaviour. Lachie’s behaviour put himself and others at risk and is not acceptable.
"I want to again make it clear that there is no excuse for the choices he made. We are very thankful that nobody was physically harmed in the incident.
"Lachie has failed to live up to his responsibilities as a member of the community and from what we expect from a leader of our football club.
The full list of punishments for Hunter are:
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Lachie has taken the proactive step of volunteering to immediately stand down from the position of vice captain of the club, as well as relinquishing his position in the player leadership group, which the club has accepted. In doing so, the Club has not been required to strip him of those positions.
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A fine of $5000 for drink driving and suspended fines totalling a further $15,000 for multiple other breaches.
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Lachie will be suspended by the Club for four AFL matches upon the season resuming.
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Lachie will be required to undertake mandatory alcohol education and counselling and a form of community service.
As well as the punishments for Hunter, the club has determined to impose a $5,000 fine (wholly suspended) on Billy Gowers for conduct after Lachie arrived at his apartment.
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Bainssaid also said they will stand by the now former vice-captain in Hunter as he earns back the respect of the club and fans.
"Despite the actions of Lachie our club and our players will continue to push the message to our supporters and to the wider public of the importance of continuing to obey the social distancing measures," he said.
"The last few days have been extremely difficult for Lachie and his family, and as a club we will continue to support him through this period to make sure he emerges stronger for the experience.
"Lachie was regarded highly enough to become vice captain of the Western Bulldogs and we will support him as he earns back the respect of the Club and its fans."
