Carlton players undertake day of community service after Alex Fasolo’s drunken fall

Carlton has decided a day of community service served by the entire group would be more valuable than punishing Alex Fasolo further for his drunken Australia Day incident.

Blues captain Patrick Cripps says the playing group wanted to stand by Alex Fasolo. Picture: Sarah Matray

Carlton’s entire playing list visited Melbourne’s Ravenhall prison on Friday after turning Alex Fasolo’s drunken Australia Day incident into a learning experience.

Ex-Collingwood forward Fasolo will miss 6-8 weeks with a broken arm after admitting he was drinking during a friendly scuffle with a mate late on Australia Day.

But instead of punishing Fasolo further, Carlton decided it would instead benefit the group to deliver a slice of perspective.

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The Blues felt a day of community service served by the entire group would be more valuable given Fasolo was mortified and embarrassed about the incident.

Carlton captain Patrick Cripps told the Herald Sun from the club’s Sunshine Coast camp that the prison visit was confronting but valuable.

He said the Blues wanted to show their support for Fasolo but in a way that also benefited the community.

“I wouldn’t say it was a punishment, it was a good chance to give back to the community but also look outside ourselves. In the industry you don’t always give back and don’t always have a broader look or look out for each other.

“Basically we are all in it together. You don’t want to leave someone hanging out by themselves. ‘Faz’ since he came here has worked really hard and everyone makes mistakes. We have all got his back.

“So with Alex’s situation, it’s a good chance to take stock but also a chance to reflect on where we are at and look outside ourselves.”

Carlton recruit Alex Fasolo broke his arm in a boozy play fight with a mate. Picture: Getty Images

Fasolo apologised to Carlton fans after surgery on Sunday to repair the arm, saying he was “incredibly embarrassed and apologetic”.

He is already running on the club’s Sunshine Coast camp but could have blown a chance to nail down a Round 1 spot.

The prison in Melbourne’s west is home to 1000 inmates, with Cripps saying many of his conversations there made him realise he had been handed opportunities denied to many in Ravenhall.

“It was interesting. It makes you pretty grateful the position you are in. For me I was lucky to have a strong family upbringing that instilled values that gave me the best opportunity in life.

“And it was interesting speaking to a couple of the guys there, one thing they lack is a bit of purpose and direction. That was something I was provided so I feel pretty grateful.”

Blues midfield coach Cam Bruce said with Carlton boasting so many young players it was the perfect time to make them aware about the benefits of a broader perspective.

“It is about improving care and understanding for people outside your self and realising the impact you can have on others,” he said.

“We have got a young footy group and they probably are just starting their AFL career and prior to the AFL they are thinking how do I get into the AFL.

They are heavily thinking about themselves. In the AFL system the best clubs think outside themselves. How can I improve other people, how can I help other people?

“And that’s something we need to keep instilling in our boys.”