Carlton recruit Alex Fasolo to miss 6-8 weeks with fractured arm after off-field incident
New Blue Alex Fasolo has released a video apologising to Carlton fans after breaking his arm in a boozy play fight with a friend. WATCH
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New Blue Alex Fasolo has released a video apologising to Carlton fans after breaking his arm in a boozy play fight with a friend.
The goalkicker had been drinking alcohol at an Australia Day party in Richmond late on Saturday night when he tangled with a mate and tripped over the gutter.
Fasolo put his left arm out to break the fall and fractured his left wrist, leaving the former Magpie’s hopes of playing in the Round 1 blockbuster against Richmond on March 21 in jeopardy.
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The 26-year-old had surgery on Sunday and will require six to eight weeks on the sidelines, continuing a horror run of pre-season setbacks for the rebuilding Blues.
“Hey guys, I just wanted to take this opportunity to apologise to you, the Carlton members and supporters,” Fasolo says in the video released on Carlton’s website and social media channels on Tuesday.
“Obviously, my decisions over the weekend were not aligned with where we want to go as a football club and I’m incredibly embarrassed and apologetic.
“Now I’m just really looking forward to getting back on the track, earning the trust of my teammates and the coaching staff and I really want to make sure I have a positive influence on this group and this club.”
It is a huge blow to the livewire forward after joining the Blues on a one-year deal late last year, desperate to revive his flagging career.
Carlton was looking to Fasolo to help bolster its scoring power in 2019 as the club feels the pressure to rise sharply up the ladder after five years in the AFL doldrums.
The club is yet to determine whether Fasolo will be hit with any other sanctions such as a fine or suspension.
Head of football Brad Lloyd said Fasolo’s actions did not meet the club’s off-field expectations.
“There’s no doubt Alex made an error in judgment on Saturday night and he has certainly acknowledged that,” Lloyd said.
“We remain committed to supporting Alex, and he feels the remorse more than anyone.
“However, we also remain committed to the standards we hold ourselves accountable to, as part of being in an elite, professional sporting environment.
“We know Alex will use this as a driver to improve and win back the trust of all those who have worked closely with him since his arrival at the Blues last year.”
Carlton made some bold moves in the trade and draft period, giving away its top pick in this year’s draft in a deal with Adelaide for midfielder Liam Stocker.
But the club’s pre-season has since taken a nasty turn with the club rocked by a series of serious injuries to some of its most important players.
Co-captain Sam Docherty has undergone a second knee reconstruction, new key forward Mitch McGovern suffered a fracture in his back, star ruckman Matthew Kreuzer required another knee clean-out, while full-back Liam Jones is nursing a fractured left hand.
Midfielders Darcy Lang (foot) and Jarrod Pickett (patella tendon) also won’t play early in the season as they recover from injuries.
It means the Blues will be on the back foot against the Tigers in seven weeks’ time as Richmond prepare to unveil a new-look forward line featuring superstar Gold Coast free agent Tom Lynch.
Fasolo sought a fresh start at Carlton after playing only one game for the Pies last season.
He will need to fire to extend his contract at Carlton beyond this season after signing a one-year deal with a trigger clause for a second season.
It means Fasolo will have to reach certain on-field targets to automatically secure a second year on his contract.
Originally published as Carlton recruit Alex Fasolo to miss 6-8 weeks with fractured arm after off-field incident
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