North Melbourne young gun Luke McDonald dropped for pre-season game after breaking alcohol rules

NORTH Melbourne young gun Luke McDonald missed Wednesday night’s pre-season loss to Richmond for disciplinary reasons after breaking rules by drinking on the club’s community camp.

Luke McDonald was dropped for drinking during a Kangaroos booze ban. Picture: Michael Klein

NORTH MELBOURNE midfielder Luke McDonald missed Wednesday’s JLT Community Series game for drinking on the club’s community camp despite a player-based ban on alcohol.

The Roos had told their players they did not want them drinking on the camp given Jy Simpkin’s recent incident, where he walked into the path of a motorbike late at night after drinking.

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Instead strong-bodied midfielder McDonald broke club rules and was dropped for the heavy defeat against Richmond.

He was not involved in any incident while drinking but the Roos believed it set the wrong example for their players.

He was one of a number of players who had several drinks on the night but as the only player with any senior experience was expected to know better.

Luke McDonald was dropped for drinking during a Kangaroos booze ban. Picture: Michael Klein

In February Simpkin suffered an ankle injury and instigated a minimum six-month alcohol ban upon himself after the incident in the early hours of a Sunday morning.

He also donated $2000 to road trauma support services and undertook an educational course into making better choices with alcohol.

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McDonald finished fifth in last year’s best-and-fairest and will be ready for the Roos’ Round 1 clash against Gold Coast on March 24.

In 2016 Kayne Turner blew 0.133 and after being suspended by the club for four weeks was ordered to complete a road safety course as part of his punishment.

The Roos believe cracking down now will set the tone for their group given they are trying to set a culture for a young rebuilding list.