Fevola fined for drunken Brownlow antics

(AAP) - Troubled Carlton superstar Brendan Fevola has been fined $10,000 and told to "wake up to himself" after his booze-fuelled antics at the AFL's Brownlow Medal count.

The fine capped off a horrible day for the wayward forward, who claims he has no
recollection of the events which also led him to being axed from Thursday night's
Footy Show on Channel Nine.
This latest punishment comes just 18 months after the repeat offender was also fined
$10,000 by the Blues for urinating in public after a big night out on the eve of the
2008 season.
Blues chief executive Greg Swann said at the time Fevola would be sacked if he was
involved in another alcohol-related incident - but the reigning Coleman medallist
has escaped the ultimate punishment.
"While Brendan is officially on holidays, he was representing the Carlton Football
Club and the AFL at Monday night's function and much of his behaviour, particularly
at the post-Brownlow function, was totally unacceptable," Mr Swann said on
Wednesday.
"It is very disappointing for Brendan, for Carlton and indeed for the AFL that such
an important night for our game has been tarnished by his actions."
Fevola, 28, was hosting the pre-taped Street Talk segment for the Footy Show during
the Brownlow after-party at Crown Casino when his drunken antics became so bad he
had to be replaced by former Richmond player Nathan Brown.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said Fevola had to listen to his own admissions
that he does not handle alcohol well.
"He, by his own admission, has said he doesn't handle alcohol well, so he needs to
start actually listening to himself and I suspect that the Carlton Football Club
would be disappointed with what they saw," Mr Demetriou told reporters on Wednesday.
"I know the Channel Nine Footy Show is, and he's really got to wake up to himself on
that front because he just doesn't handle alcohol well."
While taping the segment, Fevola reportedly simulated sex for the cameras, swore
while interviewing players and guests, lurched between players and their partners
and even knocked a full bottle of beer out of the hand of Western Bulldog Adam
Cooney.
A Nine spokeswoman confirmed the Blues' full-forward was again in trouble.
"He is not on the show tomorrow night," she said.
"Beyond that, they will review it (his contract) in due course."
The spokeswoman wouldn't confirm or deny reports Fevola had also been in a scuffle
with a Footy Show producer, but admitted his "behaviour was unacceptable".
Fevola said on Wednesday he couldn't recall anything after the latter stages of the
Brownlow count.
"I had absolutely no idea, I think you get like that when you have way too many," he
told Triple M radio.
"From towards the end I cannot remember anything, pretty much."
Fevola said Mr Swann had told him to stop drinking.
"I talked to him yesterday and he said `you shouldn't drink' and I said `yeah, I
know I shouldn't'," he said.
Fevola attended Brownlow night with his heavily pregnant wife, Alex.
His poor disciplinary record dates back to 2001, when he was involved in three
alcohol-fuelled incidents, and hit a nadir in 2006, when he was sent home from
Ireland after brawling with a barman during the International Rules tour.
Former Richmond coach Danny Frawley said Fevola was a "slow learner", while Victoria
Police deputy commissioner Kieran Walshe said sports stars were role models and
needed to act appropriately.