SANFL Crows player Blake Drury caught in hot mic incident with Central Districts player Aiden Grace, both sanctioned

Two SANFL players have served a secret ban after they made inappropriate comments about a female league staff member in a hot-mic incident.

• Club condemns Crows player

A Crows state league-listed player served a secret ban after he made inappropriate comments about a woman, with the club “extremely disappointed and angered by the incident”.

Adelaide’s SANFL-listed player Blake Drury and Central District’s Aiden Grace were both initially selected to be part of the South Australia side to take on Western Australia in the state game at Adelaide Oval earlier this month.

Aiden Grace. (SANFL Image/David Mariuz)

Blake Drury from the Crows. (SANFL Image/David Mariuz)

But the two were withdrawn from the side a day before the clash and it has emerged it was because they were both issued one-game bans after they were investigated for “inappropriate comments” about a female SANFL staff member.

7NEWS reported the two were taking part in a promo shoot for the game and were caught on hot mics making inappropriate comments about the staff member who found out about them when she later edited the footage.

The SANFL said it was “unacceptable conduct” from the pair and that they were both investigated and sanctioned for their behaviour.

“SANFL was aware of a recent incident involving the unacceptable conduct of two SANFL players and immediately investigated and addressed the matter, with both players sanctioned,” the league said.

“We were extremely disappointed by the inappropriate comments made by the players and continue to provide support to our staff member impacted.”

Both players received a one-match ban from the league that wasn’t made public.

In a statement the Crows said “the club is extremely disappointed and angered by the incident and it endorsed the SANFL’s sanction”.

Blake Drury was recruited by North Melbourne with the first overall selection in the 2022 rookie draft, where he played 10 games for the club. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“Adelaide Football Club can confirm one of its SANFL-listed players was sanctioned for making inappropriate comments about a SANFL staff member,” the club said.

“The club is extremely disappointed and angered by the incident, and it endorsed the SANFL’s sanction.

“The player is undertaking counselling and a structured education program.”

Meanwhile, Central District Football Club said they supported the sanction by the league and that Grace, vice-captain of the senior side, was being educated after the incident.

“The SANFL have investigated and we support the penalty that was provided to the players,” the club said.

“We weren’t happy with what happened, and we have spent some time with our player.

“He is completing all the necessary steps to remind himself that that is not appropriate.

“And he has apologised, he has sincerely apologised.”

Drury was recruited by North Melbourne with the first overall selection in the 2022 rookie draft, where he played 10 games for the club.

He nominated for the AFL’s mid-season draft on Wednesday night but was not selected.

Neither player received a club imposed ban for their actions.

Originally published as SANFL Crows player Blake Drury caught in hot mic incident with Central Districts player Aiden Grace, both sanctioned