Four Demons banned from selection after drinking session following VFL game

EXCLUSIVE: MELBOURNE ruled four players ineligible for AFL selection against Sydney on Friday night after breaking club rules by indulging in a drinking session last week.

Ben Kennedy was among four Demons ruled ineligible for selection after a drinking session. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

EXCLUSIVE: MELBOURNE ruled four players ineligible for AFL selection against Sydney on Friday night after breaking club rules by indulging in a drinking session last week.

The Herald Sun can reveal Jay Kennedy-Harris, Ben Kennedy, Dean Kent and Jake Spencer were told they would not be picked against the Swans, despite the Demons’ mounting injury list.

Their unavailability left coach Simon Goodwin light on for goalkicking power after the quartet broke club rules by drinking after last Saturday week’s VFL win playing for Casey, leading into a six-day break.

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Kennedy-Harris, Kennedy and Kent had all been named in Casey’s best against Box Hill and at least one seemed certain to replace Jeff Garlett (hamstring) and Christian Salem (hamstring).

But Goodwin was forced to turn to defenders Mitch White and Josh Wagner to cover and then trialled speedster Jayden Hunt in attack without success as the Swans restricted the Dees to their lowest score for the season on their way to a 35-point victory.

Ben Kennedy was among four Demons ruled ineligible for selection after a drinking session. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

White was promoted off the rookie list on Thursday and selected for his first game this season.

The Demons also snubbed the four players from the emergency list, instead choosing little-known draftee Dion Johnstone.

Goodwin said White and Wagner were selected after “terrific VFL form”.

The punishment illustrates the strong culture the Demons are striving to build.

Jake Spencer also missed out on being considered for selection. Picture: Getty Images

But Melbourne’s rise this season has been hampered by undisciplined acts on the field with Friday night’s unsavoury blow by Tom Bugg that knocked out Sydney’s Callum Mills likely to see him suspended for six weeks or more.

Star forward Jesse Hogan and veteran recruit Jordan Lewis were suspended in Round 2, sparking three straight losses.

Kent, Kennedy-Haris, Kennedy and Spencer all played in Casey’s loss to Port Melbourne on Saturday.

Kennedy (29 disposals), Kennedy-Harris (27 disposals, one goal) and Kent (23 disposals, one goal) were all serviceable.

Dean Kent had 23 touches in the VFL today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

But their indiscretions add to the pall of gloom that suddenly hovers over injury-ravaged Melbourne.

Co-captain Jack Viney and midfielder Dom Tyson join Jack Watts (hamstring), Nathan Jones (quad) and Hogan (testicular cancer) on the sidelines.

Both Viney and Tyson underwent scans on Saturday, with the Dees sweating on the results.

Goodwin was pessimistic about Viney’s plantar fascia issue, saying the initial prognosis was not good.

Jay Kennedy-Harris is expected to be considered for selection against the Blues this week, after paying his penance in the VFL. Picture: Getty Images

The skipper’s night ended early when he was forced to sit out the second half of the game against the Swans due to his foot issue, while

Tyson appeared to have an issue with his knee late in the game.

“I’ve had a bit of trouble with my foot all year and then it was no good on the weekend,” Viney said.

“We’ll get a scan, see what’s happened and go from there.”