Adelaide Crows player Tyson Stengle convicted, fined $1671 for drink-driving while unlicensed and unregistered in April 2020

A “humiliated” Tyson Stengle has pleaded guilty to drink-driving – receiving the same punishment as any other young driver.

On the field, Tyson Stengle is an exciting small forward who inherited the treasured number 18 jumper from Adelaide Crows legends Eddie Betts and Graham Johncock.

But in the eyes of the law, Stengle is no different than any other young man – and has received the standard punishment for a foolish incident of drink-driving.

On Friday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court convicted Stengle of driving with alcohol present in his system, while unlicensed and unregistered, and fined him $1671.

He must also pay a $1216.50 impound fee plus court levies which – combined with a $2500 club fine and four match payments lost through suspension – made for an expensive lesson.

Magistrate Ben Sale noted Stengle was “doubly angry” with himself for setting a poor example and felt like his reputation had been “devastated”.

“The circumstances of your offending are fairly typical, which is part of the reason why I’m prepared to take a merciful approach,” he said.

“I have had regard to the character references provided by Mr Betts, his wife and Mr Johncock.

“As embarrassed and humiliated as you no doubt are, you should be very proud of all the things people have said about you in these references.”

Stengle apologised for his offending outside court. Picture: Keryn Stevens

Outside court, Stengle apologised for his offending and said he would make the most of the leniency he had been shown.

“This has been a difficult year for me … I have to learn from my mistakes and make better decisions,” he said

“This will be my focus for 2021 and beyond … I thank my loved ones and those who have supported me.”

Stengle, 22, of North Haven, recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.125 during a traffic stop at Morphettville in the early hours of April 9.

He received an on-the-spot six-month loss of licence.

In September, police busted Stengle and teammate Brad Crouch with cocaine in a taxi in the CBD.

Stengle in action against GWS Giants at Adelaide Oval last month. Picture: Sarah Reed.

The pair were not prosecuted but the AFL punished them with match bans, and Crouch apologised for his actions in an Instagram post.

On Friday, Andrew Culshaw, for Stengle, said his client was on his way to collect more wood for a fire when he was stopped by police.

He said the group had been drinking steadily for several hours and his client had not felt intoxicated, unaware his blood-alcohol level had “crept up” over that time.

He said Stengle was also unaware his licence had been suspended and registration had lapsed because notices had gone to his previous addresses.

“Stengle has had numerous changes of address over the years … he first lived with a host family in Melbourne, then with Richmond teammate Shane Edwards,” he said.

In addition to his fine, Stengle must also pay impound fees for his car and court levies. Picture: Keryn Stevens.

“Upon his return to Adelaide he moved in with his Pop for a time, then with Mr Betts (who) considers him a son, and my client considers he and his wife to be like parents.”

Mr Culshaw said that, upon Betts’ move interstate, Stengle was without support, oversight and “parent figures” for the first time in his career.

He said the AFL’s hiatus, due to COVID-19, left him directionless – after which the offences occurred.

“It was a mistake, and I do not say that takes away any responsibility – he has put his hand up – but he wouldn’t be the first 21-year-old to let matters get away from him,” he said.

“He has already been publicly humiliated (and) suffered financial penalties that are multiple what Joe average on the street would suffer for this offending.”

Mr Sale reduced Stengle’s fines by 40 per cent, owing to his early guilty pleas, and disqualified him from driving for a further 24 hours.